Artest to Pacers: Trade me

Artest to Pacers: Trade me
'I think they will be a better team without me'

By Mike Wells
[email protected]

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dl...TS04/512100493

Injured forward Ron Artest wants to return to the court, but not to the Indiana Pacers.

In a 20-minute interview Saturday, Artest for the first time publicly said he wants to be traded. He calmly described the issues he has with his role on the team, his head coach and his past, and said the team would be better off without him.

I still think my past haunts me here," Artest said. "I think somewhere else I'm starting fresh. I'm coming in with baggage but people already know about it and how I'm going to be. Either they're going to be for me or they're not going to trade for me. Here I think my past haunts me.

"I think they will be a better team without me."

Coach Rick Carlisle called his forward "one of the elite talents in the league."

"You never want to lose someone like that," Carlisle said Saturday.

The Pacers lost Artest for 73 games after the Nov. 19 brawl last season. They stuck with him even though he said his suspension essentially ruined their season. Now the Pacers might be forced to trade him in order to salvage an already trying season.

"I think I cause a lot of problems here," said Artest, who has missed the past two games with a wrist injury. "If the trade rumors, if there is any truth -- maybe it won't be a bad thing. They probably could win more games without me."

Team President Larry Bird was scouting in Europe and could not be reached for comment. Pacers CEO Donnie Walsh was surprised by Artest's request and said the franchise would decide the next step.

"I've never heard him say anything before," said Walsh, who acquired Artest in a trade in 2002. "He hasn't talked to me, and I see him every day."
Walsh called this latest development a distraction and chided Artest's handling of the situation.

"He can always come up and talk to me or Larry Bird," Walsh said. "From here on out, I expect Ronnie to be a professional. . . . (This) isn't the best way to get a trade done."

Until Saturday, Artest's season had been relatively stress-free. He remains one of the team's hardest workers. He hasn't irritated game officials and has reached out more to teammates off the court.

It's on the court that he's had problems fitting in with Carlisle's system.
Artest is second on the team in shot attempts and scoring at 19.4 points, but he thinks his style disrupts the offense.

"I'm so demanding of the ball. It's not my fault," he said. "Every time somebody is on me it's a mismatch. It messes up the offense. I like Coach (Carlisle) as a person, but I don't like playing for Coach. I like my team, though."

The Pacers run a structured offense in which Carlisle calls out most plays. That frustrates Artest, who has complained about the system in the past. Artest also took issue with practices. He thinks they're too soft.

"Don't get it twisted. He's a very good coach," Artest said. "He knows what he's doing. I personally don't like playing for him. I would not want to see him get fired for me after all the immaturity I've been through with this organization."

Getting offers for Artest won't be difficult -- Artest is a former All-Star and Defensive Player of the Year. But getting equal value in return could be. Artest makes $6.5 million this season, paltry by All-Star standards. Because of the salary cap, NBA trades are as much about matching salaries as swapping talent. Most players of Artest's ability make much more money, meaning the Pacers won't get a player of his caliber unless they include other Pacers in the deal.

What teams interest Artest?

His hometown New York Knicks.

"If I go to the West Coast, I would come back to New York after my contract is up," Artest said. "I would go to Cleveland. I wouldn't mind coming off the bench behind LeBron James. There's a lot of players I wouldn't mind coming off the bench behind. If it was a perfect world, I would be going to New York."

Artest seeks a system in which he can score more, which would lead to a bigger contract when his expires in 2008. He has a player option for $8.5 million for the 2008-09 season.

"Here I don't think I'm going to have a chance to maximize my opportunity for my potential," he said. "When I first got here, all I wanted to do was play defense. I never really cared about offense, but what I see is players like Kobe (Bryant), Tracy (McGrady), (Gilbert) Arenas and Jermaine (O'Neal) getting the opportunity to maximize their potential on the court and to get paid. I'm out of my character a little bit here.

"I don't think I'm going to maximize my opportunity just playing defense. I have to show I'm one of the premier players on offense on the wing. So when it's that time, there's no question what type of player I am."

Artest said he will take a few more days to decide when he is ready to return from his wrist injury.

But the question is: Will he be a Pacer when he returns?

Artest in a Spurs uniform would be sweet.

(Yeah, I know it won't happen and that he's a head case :lol)

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Originally Posted by Kori Ellis

Artest in a Spurs uniform would be sweet.

(Yeah, I know it won't happen and that he's a head case :lol)

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He'll be in this uniform

http://www.chaosmasters.org/dungeon/...ange_small.jpg

before he's in this one

http://www.hoopsvibe.com/IMG/Spurs-R...-arton1657.jpg

That is insane. The Spurs will never get Artest. He might retire soon he said earlier in an interview. Detroit just fucks up everything.

Before anyone says it.


NO NO NO NO NO NO.


Don't fall for the basketball player, AVOID THE MENTAL PATIENT AT ALL COSTS!!!

Although, him and Bowen together on the perimiter.......

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Originally Posted by mikejones99

Detroit just fucks up everything.

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You really are that stupid aren't you?

Artest is just crazy. Good basketball player but crazy.

He's on record as saying he could average 40 and 20 as a franchise player.

This will be interesting to see how it plays out. Thomas and Brown in NY have enough good young players to make a decent offer.

The Peja rumor is out there again, too.

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He's on record as saying he could average 40 and 20 as a franchise player.

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Has anyone not named Wilt Chamberlain ever done that? Just curious.

The Spurs need to make no moves and should not trade anyone. If the pacers did not get screwed in Detroit they probly would have played the Spurs in the finals last year. Ron Artest would be happier. Why do so many fools from michigan get so touchy when the truth comes out in San Antonio chats? X mas gonna be fun at the palace this year.

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Originally Posted by ploto

The Peja rumor is out there again, too.

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That rumor has been going on for a couple seasons now. They should just do it and get it over with. :lol

It would be interesting to see him in NY thought. Larry Brown's ego would make him think that he could "control" Artest. It would be fun to watch.

I've seen Artest play, and while he's not Bruce Bowen limited on offense, he's also no elite wing player.

He's fucked up in the head to think he can be a franchise player. He needs to be medicated and in continuous therapy. It's like he MUST fuck things up. Now that he's not baiting officials or overtly fighting on the court...THIS.

Everything he said in that article goes against the Spurs system, sharing the ball, playing defense first, and more I'm sure...

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Originally Posted by Kori Ellis

Artest in a Spurs uniform would be sweet.

(Yeah, I know it won't happen and that he's a head case :lol)

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That would be a disaster, this guy is a friggin lunatic. Talented as all hell yes, but he is a ticking time bomb it is only a matter of time before he has another meltdown.

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Originally Posted by dbreiden83080

That would be a disaster, this guy is a friggin lunatic. Talented as all hell yes, but he is a ticking time bomb it is only a matter of time before he has another meltdown.

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Couldn't agree more.

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Originally Posted by dbreiden83080

That would be a disaster, this guy is a friggin lunatic. Talented as all hell yes, but he is a ticking time bomb it is only a matter of time before he has another meltdown.

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Yes, but it would be HILARIOUS.

He should sign with the pistons, they need some guard to defend Ginobili and Finley.

sooooooooooo, who here picked the pacers to come out of the east? :lol

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Originally Posted by myhc

sooooooooooo, who here picked the pacers to come out of the east? :lol

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LMAO!!!! Exactly!!!!

What ever happend to The Artest Factor? :lmao

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Originally Posted by TexasBalla1001

What ever happend to The Artest Factor? :lmao

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:lmao :lmao

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Originally Posted by mikejones99

He should sign with the pistons, they need some guard to defend Ginobili and Finley.

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I am truly shaking in my boots over Finley's 37% shooting and mid-20's from the Arc. :lol And I watched him closely against the Magic. This guy can't guard a fuckin lamp post. He was getting schooled by everyone he faced. He got manhandled by Deshawn muther f-in Stevenson. I can't wait to see what Rip and Tayshaun are gonna do to him.
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KIDS NEXIUM

if detroit got him they would be favored to win the title. Currently the spurs are too deep, pistons will have to make a deal in feb.

It would be sweet to see Artest in a Spurs uniform, I must agree with Kori. He's the athletic SF we could use behind Bowen and he's an awesome defender.

Won't happen though, but one can dream.

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Originally Posted by mikejones99

if detroit got him they would be favored to win the title. Currently the spurs are too deep, pistons will have to make a deal in feb.

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You can take being favored all you want. The Lakers were favored to sweep us in the Finals 2 years ago. The Spurs were favored to blow the shit out of the Hawks tonight. How did those end up?
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How to roll a joint

The Spurs were arguably the best team that year too. >4/10 of a second and Derek Fisher or we beat you in the finals in 04 too. The end of your bench is useless so far.

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Originally Posted by mikejones99

The Spurs were arguably the best team that year too. >4/10 of a second and Derek Fisher or we beat you in the finals in 04 too. The end of your bench is useless so far.

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:lol The Pistons were a hell of a lot closer to beating you guys last year than you were to beating the Lakers in '04. A guy hits a shot against you and your team folds like a deck of cards. You didn't even force a 7th game. Shows where the mental toughness is.

A team like the Pistons... Kobe hits a miracle three in game 2, and they come back and sweep them in the next three. Horry hits a heart breaker and they come back and take game 6 in the toughest building in the league. And were right there in the thick of it for game 7. Can't say the same for those Spurs. Horry had to bail Timmy out of destroying his "rep" by saving the series for the Spurs.
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Bubbler pipe

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Originally Posted by FreshPrince22

:lol The Pistons were a hell of a lot closer to beating you guys last year than you were to beating the Lakers in '04. A guy hits a shot against you and your team folds like a deck of cards. You didn't even force a 7th game. Shows where the mental toughness is.

A team like the Pistons... Kobe hits a miracle three in game 2, and they come back and sweep them in the next three. Horry hits a heart breaker and they come back and take game 6. And were right there in the thick of it for game 7. Can't say the same for those Spurs.

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your team lost. so shut the fuck up.
spurs are even better this year. the pistons are worse. dream all you want, but don't be a ghost come july when the spurs are celebrating once again.

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Originally Posted by itzsoweezee

your team lost. so shut the fuck up.
spurs are even better this year. the pistons are worse. dream all you want, but don't be a ghost come july when the spurs are celebrating once again.

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Funny that I'm replying to a post about a how "the pistons wouldn't have won in '04 if it weren't for Fisher". You're team lost. So shut the fuck up. And I'm not talking to you, I'm talking to the guy who has about 100 posts today alone bashing Michigan/Detroit/Pistons/etc. So, again... Shut the fuck up.

Go ahead and enjoy being the Paper champs losing to the worst team in the league by double digits. Meanwhile, I'll enjoy being "worse" than last year at 14-2 and still rolling.
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Web Shows

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Originally Posted by Kori Ellis

Artest in a Spurs uniform would be sweet.

(Yeah, I know it won't happen and that he's a head case :lol)

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Been there, done that, and Artest is no Rodman on the court and he never will be.

Merry christmas mother fucker. How much do good seats cost at the palace?

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Originally Posted by FreshPrince22

You can take being favored all you want. The Lakers were favored to sweep us in the Finals 2 years ago. The Spurs were favored to blow the shit out of the Hawks tonight. How did those end up?

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What? Pissed off you couldnt make Bowen jump one of your fans?

Sorry you couldnt beat us like you did Indiana. But the same thing would have happend in 04 if it wasnt for crooked men in powerful position.

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Originally Posted by mikejones99

Merry christmas mother fucker. How much do good seats cost at the palace?

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More like what are they even worth.

Ohhh low blow. :drunk

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Originally Posted by mikejones99

Merry christmas mother fucker. How much do good seats cost at the palace?

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Why? You wanna sit courtside to see the Spurs get their asses handed to them?
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How To Roll A Blunt

The Spurs would not have beaten the Pistons in 04. If Vagina Turkoglu couldn't score on the LA's defense what would ever make anyone think he could do anything with Tayshaun Prince guarding him? Duncan wasn't 100%, and Manu wasn't the All-Star he developed into last year. Jason Hart was 10x worse than Beno against a press (how can anyone forget that 8-second call against LA in the 2OT loss that likely cost the Spurs the game?). They wouldn't have taken the Spurs manhood like they did to the Lakers, but there's no doubt in my mind that the Pistons were the best team of 03-04.

pistons need to get eminem and kid rock off courtside, it's just sad. those seats should be reserved for motown's finest.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by FreshPrince22

:lol The Pistons were a hell of a lot closer to beating you guys last year than you were to beating the Lakers in '04. A guy hits a shot against you and your team folds like a deck of cards. You didn't even force a 7th game. Shows where the mental toughness is.

A team like the Pistons... Kobe hits a miracle three in game 2, and they come back and sweep them in the next three. Horry hits a heart breaker and they come back and take game 6 in the toughest building in the league. And were right there in the thick of it for game 7. Can't say the same for those Spurs. Horry had to bail Timmy out of destroying his "rep" by saving the series for the Spurs.

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Your team got the shit kicked out of it in the 4th qtr of game 7 last year so what the hell are you blabbing about. As good as the Pistons are they do not have an all time great player, like we have in Duncan. When the Spurs were down in the 3rd qtr we know we had to get Timmy going and he did big time. You Pistons were all standing around looking for help in the 4th qtr for someone to step up to the plate, you know why, because you don't know who the best player on your team is. How many great teams that won a number of titles in a 4 or 5 year run did it without an all time great.

Guys why are we talking shit about the Pistons now? This thread wasn't about them, it was about Artest. Secondly, they're the team that's most similar to ours, bet it execution, defense, depth.

So let's stop pretending that Fisher cost us the title in 2004. The Lakers adopted 1 simple philosophy .. pack the middle and let our shooters beat them ... the Pistons would have done a better job at that. With Hedo and an out-of-form Horry as our shooting threats, the Pistons would have taken us out that year. They were the best team by a wide margin in May-June 2004.

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Originally Posted by Warlord23

Guys why are we talking shit about the Pistons now? This thread wasn't about them, it was about Artest. Secondly, they're the team that's most similar to ours, bet it execution, defense, depth.

So let's stop pretending that Fisher cost us the title in 2004. The Lakers adopted 1 simple philosophy .. pack the middle and let our shooters beat them ... the Pistons would have done a better job at that. With Hedo and an out-of-form Horry as our shooting threats, the Pistons would have taken us out that year. They were the best team by a wide margin in May-June 2004.

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I am just responding to the Pistons fans talking shit about our team i'm sorry, not trying to mess with the thread.

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Originally Posted by dbreiden83080

I am just responding to the Pistons fans talking shit about our team i'm sorry, not trying to mess with the thread.

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And I'm just responding to a Spurs fan (or is he just a Piston hater?) talking shit about my team. Looks like we have something in common.
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Sunset Boulevard Residence 2

trade him to the hawks. they are obviously contenders. i mean they did beat the spurs.

In a simulation league I had the Spurs once, and Artest was awesome.

I had traded Jackson and a 2nd for him and we won 66 games and the Finals.

Of course attitude didn't come into play.

Bob Kravitz
Tick-tock: Time's up for Artest
December 10, 2005

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dl...plate=printart

Ron Artest can't come back now, not after this, not after saying he wants to get away from coach Rick Carlisle and go someplace where he can get bigger numbers and a fresh start.

He must be traded.

Now.

Artest, an incorrigible bum who should have been set free long ago, should not be allowed to spend another night soiling the uniform of the Indiana Pacers.

If he wants out -- and he made that abundantly clear when he spoke with The Star's Mike Wells -- then the Pacers must accommodate him, and
accommodate him immediately.

Before he destroys a second straight season.

Before he further poisons what has often been a toxic locker room.

If Larry Bird and Donnie Walsh don't do something dramatic and immediate, they are completely asleep at the wheel -- something they've long been guilty of when it involves Teflon Ron.

If Artest is allowed back in that locker room, what would management be telling Carlisle? That it backs Artest? That Artest can say or do just about anything and be forgiven? If Artest is still here one week from now, Carlisle needs to give management an ultimatum:

It's him or me.

And it needs to be Carlisle.

The Pacers head coach rubs some people the wrong way -- former and current players have chafed under his micromanaging, run-the-play style -- but he wins every place he coaches and he wins under all kinds of circumstances. When Artest was gone last season, running a daddy day care and promoting his CD, Carlisle was doing one of the most remarkable coaching jobs in recent memory, taking the shell of a team to the second round of the playoffs.

If Artest is allowed to return, what would that say to the other players in the locker room? The ones who presumably care more about winning a title than getting their statistics? The ones who spent all last season fighting through suspensions and injuries and playing some of the most inspiring, unselfish basketball this team has played in years?

If it wasn't obvious to Pacers' management long ago, it should be now: The guy is a hopeless case. He's a wonderful basketball player who possesses great passion for the game, but, ultimately, he is a team-killer, a selfish lout who says one thing and does another.

Anybody remember how, during the whole contrived Ron Across America Tour, he made a point of committing himself to the team, insisting he would happily sacrifice his numbers for the greater good?

That lasted, what, three months?

Now, he's saying he wants to play the role of Kobe, or LeBron, or maybe Gilbert Arenas, "to maximize my opportunity of my potential."

The "Real Ron,'' indeed.

Anybody remember how, during that same tour, he made a point of thanking the Pacers for all their patience and understanding, and how, in return, he owed them nothing less than a championship?

Now he's saying (and please don't snicker as you read this one), "I don't think everybody is treated the same way around here,'' and "I think they will be a better team without me."

After all this organization has done for him -- supported (enabled) him, counseled him, even lied for him -- this was his way of showing gratitude.

Thanks, Ron.

And good riddance.

If ever there was a time to pull the trigger on an Artest-for-Peja Stojakovic deal, this is it. The question, though, is whether the Sacramento Kings are now willing to make it happen. In the past, they've been reticent to part with the popular Stojakovic, but the Kings are struggling and look like a team in desperate need of a change.

Somehow, some way, Bird and Walsh have to make a deal, or do whatever it takes to get Artest out of here. Even if they can't get equal value for him -- and if it's not a deal for Stojakovic, it's unlikely they'll get good value -- it doesn't matter. Get a bent rim. And a slug to be named later. Anything. Cut the franchise's losses.

In the end, Artest didn't make this mess, even if he's the one with dirt on his hands. It's like the Chris Rock routine when the comic says the tiger who attacked Roy Horn of Siegfried and Roy didn't go crazy.

"That tiger went tiger," Rock said.

In this case, Artest went Artest.

The Pacers knew what they were getting when they dealt for him. And they've been front-row spectators to the running psychodrama ever since.

So how could they have failed to see that it would eventually come to this? They knew -- knew -- he was a ticking time bomb and would eventually take the entire franchise with him. But still, three of the best basketball men in the league -- Bird, Walsh and Carlisle -- sat by idly and let it happen. They believed their own fiction because they wanted to believe it, because when Artest is right, he's a great player and an even greater bargain.

Now they are going to pay again for placing their faith in him, forced to deal him at a time when it will be next-to-impossible to get any kind of value for him.

The Pacers cannot complain, though. They lost that right a long time ago.

This is their mess, and now, it's time to clean it up.

Prediction about Ron Artest ... he won't be playing in the league 3 years from now.

People quite often take for granted an NBA player's ability and motivation to play at a high level year in year out. Players like Jordan, Duncan and even Malone set themselves apart from the others not just in terms of talent but also in terms of bringing it every season, after trying to tune their game and their fitness every offseason.

Ron is just not capable of exhibiting this kind of work ethic. He's got tons of talent, but very little discipline or patience. In a way, he's quitting on his team and coach ... that too, when his team was poised to be one of the contenders in this league. It doesn't get better than this ... what is he hoping for? Next year he might find himself on a crappy Knicks team, and he'll be complaining about that. Really, this guy can't achieve success even if it's handed on a platter to him.

Also, notice the completely contradictory statements here:

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"I don't think I'm going to maximize my opportunity just playing defense. I have to show I'm one of the premier players on offense on the wing. So when it's that time, there's no question what type of player I am."

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followed by ...

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"I would go to Cleveland. I wouldn't mind coming off the bench behind LeBron James. There's a lot of players I wouldn't mind coming off the bench behind."

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So which is it Ron? You wanna be the second coming of MJ or play 2nd fiddle to Bron? Makes me wonder if Ron really understands or cares about what he says in public. The truth is he doesn't have the mental strength and discipline to stay focused on his job. He wants to quit on the fans who defended him throughout last season, even when he had done the indefensible.

That's why you can't put Ron and superstar in the same sentence. Being a superstar isn't about talent, it's about responsibility. Ron has no accountability, no responsiblity.

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In the end, Artest didn't make this mess, even if he's the one with dirt on his hands. It's like the Chris Rock routine when the comic says the tiger who attacked Roy Horn of Siegfried and Roy didn't go crazy.

"That tiger went tiger," Rock said.

In this case, Artest went Artest.

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:lol That's pretty funny, and entirely appropriate. I mean, by now people should have figured out that Artest is leaving the misunderstood player with skills stage and heading toward the Dennis Rodman "I'll say and do anything for attention" stage.

Next time there's a title change around here I want mine to say "Tru Warier". I'll mouth off and demean this site to Kori and timvp, call guys like Solid D and ShoogarBear hacks, and say meaningless shit like wanting to come off the bench behind OhGee or something. People will hinge on every word I type.

And the peanut gallery can say, "Oh, that's just j-6 being j-6."

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Originally Posted by mikejones99

The Spurs were arguably the best team that year too. >4/10 of a second and Derek Fisher or we beat you in the finals in 04 too. The end of your bench is useless so far.

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I think the league should shorten the 4th quarter to 11:59.6

This guy is unbelievable and most likely the reason the Pacers have struggled this year and have now won several impressive games without him recently. Talented yes, but what a cerifiable headcase - all that BS on the SI cover with him and Bird this Fall about keeping his mouth shut etc.

One year, Artest I thought you could shut up for one year but no way, what an idot.

Not Spur material send him to another franchise to diss some dreams.

The Pistons don't want him any more than we wanted Sprewell. We have solid players at every position that totally understand the team concept and that's a recipe for success.


Favorite Ron Artest quotes: "I mean, last season, I was 24 going on 25. Now, I am 25 going on 26. You grow up, you make mistakes and you learn from that, ... I am trying not to make the same mistakes." -Ron Artest-

"I'm very edgy and I'm not going to balance it, ... (Last year) it's over now. I'm back now. Ready to play ball and sell some records." -Ron Artest-






The Detroit Lions could use him though, put his crazy butt on the special teams. (Actually we and he would find out he's not as tough as he thinks)

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Originally Posted by FreshPrince22

You can take being favored all you want. The Lakers were favored to sweep us in the Finals 2 years ago. The Spurs were favored to blow the shit out of the Hawks tonight. How did those end up?

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We were also favored to beat you in the finals last season, and look what happened there http://spurstalk.com/forums/images/smilies/smilol.gif

I don't mind the Pistons posters. Why? First their team has talent, second they do it with a system like the Spurs and they have won a championship with it, and third, they talk smack but in generally a tone reserved for posters that understand that fans of champion teams (and I am including them in that category) deserve respect - especially if they are long-term fans.

Now what I hate is a Suns, Pacers, or Mavs or worse as was done lately, a friggin Wolves fan attempting to somehow talk smack - when and if your team hangs a real banner in the rafters, come back and bring it. Pistons can bring some, no worries, as they surely respect the Spurs and their fans back.

Finely most are respectful and bring good takes consistently, as I said before "no worries".

And by the way, I was one of those who stupidly predicted the Pacers to come out of the East, now that looks like my personnal worst prediction, but it is a long season.

I was recently reading ESPN the mag's NBA '06 preview edition, where their so-called NBA experts (Greg Anthony, Stephen "asshole" Smith, Tim Legler and some other unknown guy) all gave their NBA predictions. Three out of four predicted the Pacers would emerge as champions of the Eastern conference. The last guy predicted Miami. Of course, all four had the Spurs back in the Finals.

There was no mention of Detroit, which I think is a discredit to a team that will now surely reign as Eastern conference champs for the third year in a row. This latest salvo from Artest has sealed the fate of the Pacers, who were having a "shitty" season anyway.

A Pistons/Spurs rematch in the NBA finals will be sweet.

As for Artest, he is a very troubled young man. We're now seeing what a selfish bastard he really is. You would think that after last season's escapade, he would have more humility, more contrition. It will be interesting to see where he ends up.

Final note. If Detroit lands him, he could possibly damage their championship chemistry too. They should stay away from this guy.

I feel really bad for the Pacers orginization, it's fans and the players. As a whole they all stood behind their guy last year. Defended him at every opportunity. Unquestionably supported Artest through the entire fiasco last year.

And now, he's giving them the big FUCK YOU!

Artest is the biggest piece of shit this league currently has. I hope that the Pacers dump him immediatly. Anyone they bring in would be better from a chemistry stand point.

wow.. just wow..

maybe rose can be traded to pacers so he and jackson can party together...
artest is>>>>rose though

I do not want him
but I keep rasho and bowen
they can have nazr and barry and scola

Artest to Lakers for Odom???

Sac for Peja???

New York for Q Rich???

Phoenix for Diaw,Jim Jackson & draft pick??

who would they trade him to?

I think lakers will call

phil jackson kepted rodman in check

I see him going to la

The day the Pacers get rid of Artest is the day they surpass the Pistons as the top contender in the East.

if you are houston
hoston is stuggling

I see houston calling
da for artest?
ming for artest?

all wolves so feed up with kg they settle for artest and scabs to make it work?

what is artest making
is it not like 6- 8 million?

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Originally Posted by ducks

what is artest making
is it not like 6- 8 million?

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I think 6.5 this year, and 8 next

Ailene Voisin: Peja's future is looking murky
By Ailene Voisin -- Bee Sports Columnist

Published 2:15 am PST Friday, December 9, 2005


Except for those occasions when his dark eyes lighten with humor, when he plays off a dynamic sequence on the court or a humorous scene in the locker room, Peja Stojakovic is a closed shop. He refuses to bleed in public. He would never cry in a crowd.

He monitors the vibes all the way from Serbia to Sacramento - lately, the mood has been more brooding than benevolent - and selectively, quietly, exhales a response.

Unfortunately for Peja, this league is a very public place that offers very little protection, and right now, his fragile nature is overpowering his once-prolific sense of professional style. He is carrying his protective shield onto the court, playing too carefully, at times playing fearfully. Wincing when driving for layups. Staring at potential rebounds. Ignoring loose balls. Resisting the urge - assuming that it still exists somewhere deep within his psyche - to demand the ball and dictate the outcome, either by creating for others or for himself, especially in the fourth quarter.
Remember the other Stojakovic? The determined small forward who ran sprints along the baseline, converted threes in bunches, knocked in jumpers from the elbows behind Divac's screens? Who amassed enough assists and rebounds to suggest a balanced career on the upswing? Who overcame the tentativeness that hampered his early seasons?

Where did he go?

Where is he hiding?

Against the Houston Rockets on Thursday, the more flattering images reappeared for a few, fleeting stretches in the opening half, when Stojakovic cut sharply off picks, slashed inside for layups, penetrated and persisted and earned his way to the free throw line for seven attempts. He was lively, engaged, his presence again significant. But then in the closing period, when the outcome was there to be secured, the three-time All-Star wilted right along with his teammates, became a co-conspirator in an absolutely indefensible collapse that resulted in a fourth consecutive homecourt loss.

So the heat intensifies, on the head coach, on the best players, on the boss.

Some within the organization believe that Geoff Petrie, frustrated by Stojakovic's inconsistency, coupled with continuing public pressure (and the Maloofs' own visible impatience) to either replace coach Rick Adelman or otherwise alter the club's lackluster dynamic, would finally listen to overtures for Stojakovic, a free agent next summer who will command a huge salary. The latest speculation from outside the building aired prior to last night's Kings-Rockets broadcast on TNT: Charles Barkley reported that the Kings and Indiana Pacers have renewed discussions about a swap involving Stojakovic and Ron Artest.

"Ask Geoff," Kings co-owner Joe Maloof said as he hurried toward his office, knowing that Petrie is as frozen-lipped as a statue.

Pressed about possible personnel moves the other day, Petrie replied tersely, "There are no trades in the works."

Regardless of whether he remains with the Kings, or even re-signs with the Kings, Stojakovic is at an obvious crossroads. The absence of emotion is crippling his career. The obvious lack of confidence is overwhelming his skill. His inability to re-establish himself as a dominant scorer, as a better all-around player than his statistics indicate, undoubtedly is costing him dollars. In a contract year, no less, a time when players often factor points and rebounds into the equation for the next multi-year deal, the eighth-year pro is averaging 17.5 points and 4.3 rebounds, well below his output of 24.2 points and 6.3 rebounds in 2003-2004.

It's as if he never recovered from the change in game plans that occurred when Chris Webber returned in late 2003 and insisted on resuming his role as the primary scoring option - the job capably held at the time by Peja. Instead of ferociously protecting his status and accepting the challenge, Stojakovic, 29, eased into the backup role, too willingly ran and stood in his assigned corner. He lost his swagger, lost his edge, lost what once was ever so close.

"I am not worried about any of that (trades or free agency)," an unusually animated Stojakovic said when asked the other day about his situation. "I am very frustrated with the way I am playing. You know you can do better, and you're not doing it. I go home and watch tapes ... I don't sleep. Laying in the bed, I go through the game, and I know every play. I do my own play by play. I have like a computer in my mind, like it records it. Then I get mad at myself. It's like, 'OK, you missed two shots wide open, you missed a layup wide open.' I have to be more aggressive. I have to go out and do it."

It appears, though, that the door to the shop has opened, that the only King with any job security around here is Petrie. And typically, he moves when least expected.

since artest is only making 6.5 million
more pacers might have to be involved to land a player like odom

peja is making about the same as artest

Artest for Hughes?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ducks

since artest is only making 6.5 million
more pacers might have to be involved to land a player like odom

peja is making about the same as artest

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L.A. Lakers Trade Breakdown
Outgoing

Lamar Odom
6-10 SF from Rhode Island
15.9 ppg, 9.6 rpg, 5.7 apg in 40.0 minutes
Incoming

Jonathan Bender
7-0 SF from Picayune Memorial (HS)
5.0 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 1.0 apg in 10.5 minutes

Ron Artest
6-7 SF from St. John's
19.4 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 2.2 apg in 37.8 minutes
Change in team outlook: +8.5 ppg, -2.7 rpg, and -2.5 apg.



Indiana Trade Breakdown
Outgoing

Jonathan Bender
7-0 SF from Picayune Memorial (HS)
5.0 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 1.0 apg in 10.5 minutes

Ron Artest
6-7 SF from St. John's
19.4 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 2.2 apg in 37.8 minutes
Incoming

Lamar Odom
6-10 SF from Rhode Island
15.9 ppg, 9.6 rpg, 5.7 apg in 40.0 minutes
Change in team outlook: -8.5 ppg, +2.7 rpg, and +2.5 apg.



Successful Scenario
Due to L.A. Lakers and Indiana being over the cap, the 25% trade rule is invoked. L.A. Lakers and Indiana had to be no more than 125% plus $100,000 of the salary given out for the trade to be accepted, which did happen here. This trade satisfies the provisions of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.


I beleive that Bender is on the verge of retiring due to bad knees or something.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ducks

if you are houston
hoston is stuggling

I see houston calling
da for artest?
ming for artest?

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:lmao

Ducks, you continue to amaze and amuse me...:lol

Quote:

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Before anyone says it.


NO NO NO NO NO NO.


Don't fall for the basketball player, AVOID THE MENTAL PATIENT AT ALL COSTS!!!

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Hey TFart, Buckets was a mental patient while on the Spurs. It seemed to work out alright.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ducks

all wolves so feed up with kg they settle for artest and scabs to make it work?

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Do you mean is KG so upset with the Wolves...or not?

Bob Kravitz, columnist for the IndyStar blasts Artest and the Pacers!

Bob Kravitz
Tick-tock: Time's up for Artest




Ron Artest can't come back now, not after this, not after saying he wants to get away from coach Rick Carlisle and go someplace where he can get bigger numbers and a fresh start.
He must be traded.

Now.
Artest, an incorrigible bum who should have been set free long ago, should not be allowed to spend another night soiling the uniform of the Indiana Pacers.
If he wants out -- and he made that abundantly clear when he spoke with The Star's Mike Wells -- then the Pacers must accommodate him, and accommodate him immediately.
Before he destroys a second straight season.
Before he further poisons what has often been a toxic locker room.
If Larry Bird and Donnie Walsh don't do something dramatic and immediate, they are completely asleep at the wheel -- something they've long been guilty of when it involves Teflon Ron.
If Artest is allowed back in that locker room, what would management be telling Carlisle? That it backs Artest? That Artest can say or do just about anything and be forgiven? If Artest is still here one week from now, Carlisle needs to give management an ultimatum:
It's him or me.
And it needs to be Carlisle. <staying I assume>
The Pacers head coach rubs some people the wrong way -- former and current players have chafed under his micromanaging, run-the-play style -- but he wins every place he coaches and he wins under all kinds of circumstances. When Artest was gone last season, running a daddy day care and promoting his CD, Carlisle was doing one of the most remarkable coaching jobs in recent memory, taking the shell of a team to the second round of the playoffs.
If Artest is allowed to return, what would that say to the other players in the locker room? The ones who presumably care more about winning a title than getting their statistics? The ones who spent all last season fighting through suspensions and injuries and playing some of the most inspiring, unselfish basketball this team has played in years?
If it wasn't obvious to Pacers' management long ago, it should be now: The guy is a hopeless case. He's a wonderful basketball player who possesses great passion for the game, but, ultimately, he is a team-killer, a selfish lout who says one thing and does another.
Anybody remember how, during the whole contrived Ron Across America Tour, he made a point of committing himself to the team, insisting he would happily sacrifice his numbers for the greater good?
That lasted, what, three months?
Now, he's saying he wants to play the role of Kobe, or LeBron, or maybe Gilbert Arenas, "to maximize my opportunity of my potential."
The "Real Ron,'' indeed.
Anybody remember how, during that same tour, he made a point of thanking the Pacers for all their patience and understanding, and how, in return, he owed them nothing less than a championship?
Now he's saying (and please don't snicker as you read this one), "I don't think everybody is treated the same way around here,'' and "I think they will be a better team without me."
After all this organization has done for him -- supported (enabled) him, counseled him, even lied for him -- this was his way of showing gratitude.
Thanks, Ron.
And good riddance.
If ever there was a time to pull the trigger on an Artest-for-Peja Stojakovic deal, this is it. The question, though, is whether the Sacramento Kings are now willing to make it happen. In the past, they've been reticent to part with the popular Stojakovic, but the Kings are struggling and look like a team in desperate need of a change.
Somehow, some way, Bird and Walsh have to make a deal, or do whatever it takes to get Artest out of here. Even if they can't get equal value for him -- and if it's not a deal for Stojakovic, it's unlikely they'll get good value -- it doesn't matter. Get a bent rim. And a slug to be named later. Anything. Cut the franchise's losses.
In the end, Artest didn't make this mess, even if he's the one with dirt on his hands. It's like the Chris Rock routine when the comic says the tiger who attacked Roy Horn of Siegfried and Roy didn't go crazy.
"That tiger went tiger," Rock said.
In this case, Artest went Artest.
The Pacers knew what they were getting when they dealt for him. And they've been front-row spectators to the running psychodrama ever since. So how could they have failed to see that it would eventually come to this? They knew -- knew -- he was a ticking time bomb and would eventually take the entire franchise with him. But still, three of the best basketball men in the league -- Bird, Walsh and Carlisle -- sat by idly and let it happen. They believed their own fiction because they wanted to believe it, because when Artest is right, he's a great player and an even greater bargain.
Now they are going to pay again for placing their faith in him, forced to deal him at a time when it will be next-to-impossible to get any kind of value for him.
The Pacers cannot complain, though. They lost that right a long time ago. This is their mess, and now, it's time to clean it up.



http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dl...16/1004/SPORTS

Anyways, to all the Spurs fans talkin junk about Detroit: The Pistons are the real deal. They could have beaten us (we could have beaten them too though) in 04. You just never know til you play the game. They could have very well beaten us last year. They are VERY VERY GOOD! They still have the BEST starting 5 in the league. Their bench is also very good. So be careful. Out of all the teams in the NBA, Detroit has the best chance to dethrone SA.

Stop hatin on a very good team.

Artest = TO

Artest "The Boxer" x Manu?? :smokin

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Aggie Hoopsfan

Hey TFart, Buckets was a mental patient while on the Spurs. It seemed to work out alright.

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Jack was mental but popular, well liked by the other players althouh it seems his high maintenance requirements were wearing thin on some. Artest is mental plus not one of the guys.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by FreshPrince22

:lol The Pistons were a hell of a lot closer to beating you guys last year than you were to beating the Lakers in '04. A guy hits a shot against you and your team folds like a deck of cards. You didn't even force a 7th game. Shows where the mental toughness is.

A team like the Pistons... Kobe hits a miracle three in game 2, and they come back and sweep them in the next three. Horry hits a heart breaker and they come back and take game 6 in the toughest building in the league. And were right there in the thick of it for game 7. Can't say the same for those Spurs. Horry had to bail Timmy out of destroying his "rep" by saving the series for the Spurs.

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I gotta agree with you on this one. Spurs fans talk like that .4 second game was the 7th game. It wasn't.

And if we were better than the Lakers that year, we should have come out and beat them in the next two games. We didn't.

We could have folded last year after losing game 6. We didn't.

if bender retired like he may this year, when does his contract come off the books?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Rummpd

I don't mind the Pistons posters. Why? First their team has talent, second they do it with a system like the Spurs and they have won a championship with it, and third, they talk smack but in generally a tone reserved for posters that understand that fans of champion teams (and I am including them in that category) deserve respect - especially if they are long-term fans.

Now what I hate is a Suns, Pacers, or Mavs or worse as was done lately, a friggin Wolves fan attempting to somehow talk smack - when and if your team hangs a real banner in the rafters, come back and bring it. Pistons can bring some, no worries, as they surely respect the Spurs and their fans back.

Finely most are respectful and bring good takes consistently, as I said before "no worries".

And by the way, I was one of those who stupidly predicted the Pacers to come out of the East, now that looks like my personnal worst prediction, but it is a long season.

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I assume you're not talking about me. I don't run smack about the wolves being as good or better when there not.

As for Artest to the wolves, if its a deal that involves wally i'm all for it. Wally's playing very well, the wolves are doing well but the roster can be loaded as much as it wants to be and they will never do anything worthwhile if your second best player is Wally Szerbiak. Frankly i'd think you'd have a better chance at getting something usefull out of a nutty artest than a wally playing in a slump. Its a risk i'd be willing to take. A 4th quarter lineup of Griffen/KG/Artest/Hassell and either Jaric or Carter would probably be one if not the best defensive sets in the league, with enough offense to go around.

Fire him like TO.. time to put these prissy overpaid punks out of the games...

Let the hungry people that love the game play... BEEP the punks.

Pacers are really missing Reggie Miller. Just goes to show you how much of an impact Reggie had on those losers for the past 2 years.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Shawn Michaels

Artest for Bowen, Barry, Rasho, and whoever the hell we can throw in there

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We will keep Bowen till his retirement. Others will be fine. But how can we handle Artest in the team?

Artest on the move?
Chris Sheridan
ESPN Insider

posted: Sunday, December 11, 2005

When the weekend began, it appeared Mike Woodson and Rick Adelman were both sitting on the hottest of hot seats, their coaching jobs in jeopardy with the Atlanta Hawks and Sacramento Kings underperforming so woefully.
Woodson escaped by getting a strong public endorsement from general manager Billy Knight even before the Hawks stunned the Spurs, while Adelman may have dodged the guillotine, perhaps temporarily, when the Kings traveled to Seattle and shot a season-high 58 percent in posting their highest point total of the season while defeating the Sonics 123-104 Saturday night.

So who's feeling the heat now?

How about Larry Bird, who left Saturday on a scouting trip to Spain just as Ron Artest was speaking to the Pacers' beat writer, Mike Wells of the Indianapolis Star, and telling him he wanted to be traded.

Artest said he was frustrated playing in the controlled offense favored by coach Rick Carlisle, going so far as to say, "I personally don't like playing for him."

The matter now falls to Bird, who will likely try to accommodate Artest's trade demand in order to keep a bad situation from turning worse. Nobody knows better than the Pacers how volatile Artest can be, and there's no telling how bad the next chapter of this soap opera will be if Carlisle and Artest are forced to co-exist once Artest is ready to return from a wrist injury.

The strongest rumor out there over the weekend had the Kings and Pacers discussing a swap of Artest for Peja Stojakovic, but Adelman said Sacramento had not had any internal discussions about trading the small forward from Serbia who will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season.

If the Kings feel certain they're going to lose Stojakovic after the season and get nothing in return, they'd be fools if they didn't at least consider whether it would be worth the risk to make a run at Artest, who is under contract for two more seasons and has a player option for 2008-09.

Artest told the Star he'd like to be traded to the Cavaliers or Knicks, but Indiana would almost certainly try to trade him to a Western Conference team.

The Memphis Grizzlies had interest in acquiring Artest last season when he was serving his season-long suspension for his role in The Palace brawl, but Jerry West has always refused in the past to part with Shane Battier, the player Indiana would likely ask for (along with a throw-in from the Grizzlies to make the salaries match) in an Artest trade.

The problem for Bird, should he decide to trade Artest quickly, will be getting equal value in return. Most players of Artest's skill level make considerably more than Artest's 2005-06 salary of $6.84 million, so the Pacers would have to include another player (Austin Croshere makes $7.9 this season, $7.3 next season) to get back someone earning a maximum-level salary.

Ironically, one of their best options may be a deal with the Hawks for ex-Pacer Al Harrington, who Atlanta fears losing as an unrestricted free agent when his contract expires at the end of this season.

The Hawks are trying to be proactive in shaking things up, but it sure doesn't look like that shakeup will include Woodson after Knight gave the coach a ringing endorsement that went far beyond the usual (dreaded) vote of confidence.

"Woody is not getting fired. Woody is our coach. And Woody will be our coach. My job is to continue to try to make this team better and improve everything within our organization. And that's what I spend all of my days doing -- trying to come up with ways to make things better," Knight told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Sekou Smith. "Woody is not getting fired and he will be our coach. I want that to be headlines."

Many more trade options will open up Thursday, the first date that players who signed contracts over the summer can be dealt. Expect Earl Watson of the Denver Nuggets to be one of the first players traded, and New York's Jerome James and Milwaukee's Dan Gadzuric have also been mentioned as Dec. 15 trade-eligible players who could find themselves on new teams by next weekend.

"Jerome James"

THAT contract didn't stick long! :lol

Artest told the Star he'd like to be traded to the Cavaliers or Knicks, but Indiana would almost certainly try to trade him to a Western Conference team.

james gets artest on his team that would be BAD NEWS FOR THE NBA
he would ruin him

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jochhejaam

I think the league should shorten the 4th quarter to 11:59.6

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agreed :spin

http://spurstalk.com/forums/showthre...ghlight=artest


Welcome to the party beyatches. :lol


Sincerely,

afuckinmonthago. :lmao

rasho, expendable. parker, expendable.

and if earl watkins and jerome james are available, Pop needs to get on the phone right fucking now. :tu

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Silent Bob

http://spurstalk.com/forums/showthre...ghlight=artest


Welcome to the party beyatches. :lol


Sincerely,

afuckinmonthago. :lmao

rasho, expendable. parker, expendable.

and if earl watkins and jerome james are available, Pop needs to get on the phone right fucking now. :tu

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I've been saying I wouldn't mind Artest here for two years.

Thanks for catching up a month ago. Hahaha.

By the way Artest only makes $6M. The guys that are expendable are one of Rasho, Nazr and Barry. But the Spurs are a good team, they don't need to take a risk on Artest. Whoever gets Artest will be a team in desperation, not a contender.

And Earl Watson is good. But Jerome James is horrible.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Kori Ellis

I've been saying I wouldn't mind Artest here for two years.

Thanks for catching up a month ago. Hahaha.

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fair enough. LINK? to where you said the trade should be made?

cuz even in your last post, your wishy washy.

"the spurs don't NEED artest."

I'll go ahead and TAKE A STAND and say, yes they do. :tu

and I got love for you, but your opinion in which you claim to have supported for over two years is conspicuously absent from the get artest thread i linked. :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Kori Ellis

By the way Artest only makes $6M. The guys that are expendable are one of Rasho, Nazr and Barry. But the Spurs are a good team, they don't need to take a risk on Artest. Whoever gets Artest will be a team in desperation, not a contender.

And Earl Watson is good. But Jerome James is horrible.

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bye bye rasho. :smokin


and i still can't believe how anyone can praise rasho in one breath and berate james in the next.

does ANYONE on this forum actually believe the Sonics take our Spurs to 6 games last year if Rasho was a sonic and James was a Spur?

Anyone?

Buehler?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Silent Bob

bye bye rasho. :smokin


and i still can't believe how anyone can praise rasho in one breath and berate james in the next.

does ANYONE on this forum actually believe the Sonics take our Spurs to 6 games last year if Rasho was a sonic and James was a Spur?

Anyone?

Buehler?

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James sucks.

Watch him play.

i saw the Spurs vs. Sonics series last year. i know the man can play...when inspired. :tu


maybe i just have more faith in POP and his abilities to coach and inspire the players that have a pair.

Rasho and Hedo being prime examples of the 'without' group. :lol

Another drug addict who thinks James > Rasho???

:lmao

Dude, I thought this was one of those well-written joke articles. Artest really wants to be traded? If it wasn't for the patience and loyalty of the Pacers, he'd be collecting unemployment right now.

Spurs NEED artest?




:lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol

Spurs chemistry is at an all-time high (they are gellin' like Magellan) ... we don't need Artest...

Question: What do I do with Artest on my fantasy roster for the week?????

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dbreiden83080

That would be a disaster, this guy is a friggin lunatic. Talented as all hell yes, but he is a ticking time bomb it is only a matter of time before he has another meltdown.

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I agree. He is very similar, in the disruptive-potential sense, to Dennis Rodman. The difference is, I don't think Rodman required violence to carry out his outrageousness. Artest has proven to the world that nothing is out of the question...even violence.

Artest=murder looking for a place to happen.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by inagra

trade him to the hawks. they are obviously contenders. i mean they did beat the spurs.

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:lol

That was my first thought, too.

Seriously, though, I am surprised that Atlanta or Toronto or Portland hasn't snatched up Sprewell.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dbreiden83080

Prediction about Ron Artest ... he won't be playing in the league 3 years from now.

People quite often take for granted an NBA player's ability and motivation to play at a high level year in year out. Players like Jordan, Duncan and even Malone set themselves apart from the others not just in terms of talent but also in terms of bringing it every season, after trying to tune their game and their fitness every offseason.

Ron is just not capable of exhibiting this kind of work ethic. He's got tons of talent, but very little discipline or patience. In a way, he's quitting on his team and coach ... that too, when his team was poised to be one of the contenders in this league. It doesn't get better than this ... what is he hoping for? Next year he might find himself on a crappy Knicks team, and he'll be complaining about that. Really, this guy can't achieve success even if it's handed on a platter to him.

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Precisely. This is the same reason that some people who win the Heisman award because they are outstanding college football players/athletes (some are involved in other sports besides football) CANNOT cut it in the NFL. Same concept.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Supergirl

Dude, I thought this was one of those well-written joke articles. Artest really wants to be traded? If it wasn't for the patience and loyalty of the Pacers, he'd be collecting unemployment right now.

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Yes, it's for real. It's all over ESPN and the other sports news websites this morning. And, I heard it on my Austin radio station (which does not even tend to lean toward sports news unless it concerns the Texas Longhorns, :lol )