rafer just isn't what we need at the point. in a perfect world we would have derek fisher in his prime. lock down pressure defense, with an automatic 3pt shot. off topic, but i would also love charles oakley or horace grant in thier prime. great defense, rebounding, mid-range J.
Artest - He fits that description and he's only one inch shorter and like 40 lbs heavier than Oakley was.
good thinking. i'm not sure how he would fair at PF full time. with the "shrinking nba" he couldn't be too bad, but i doubt he can play post defense against boozer or duncan.
His lack of height against taller PF's would be a problem but that issue kind of gets offset with his physicality. With his strength, bulk and level of intensity he plays at I just can't see him being pushed around. Sure, guys like Duncan, KG, Dirk, etc might be able to get their shot off easier against him but everything leading up to that point (all the bumping & pushing, denying the pass, etc) will also help to slow them down. Just an idea though. Sacramento seems to be giving mixed signals with what their intentions with Artest are. One minute it's a huge mess with the offers pouring in leading you to believe a trade is imminent then the next minute they're refusing the rumored Maggette swap. Maggette has his faults but it's doubtful they could get a better impact player given Artest's reputation and his possible bad knees. So, who knows? All I do know is if could pull get Artest and roll into the playoffs with a lineup of: PG Alston/Head or whoever SG T-MAc SF Battier PF Artest C Yao .....great things could happen.
Isn't this JVG's problem to let Alston shoot so many 3's? Yeah, most of them were open, but this is only because he is not a good shooter and they can afford to leave him open.
Rafer continues to take about 15-20 shots per game. He needs to realize that more of those shots need to be allocated to L. Head or S. Battier. Rafer is by far the worst shooting point guard in the West. His three point range is minimal and his hideous tear drop in the lane is as useless as Bob Sura on the bench.
