Word from WFAN New York: Artest to Spurs Strong Possibility

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Originally Posted by FromWayDowntown

With some of the rumored offers that are out there, the Pacers are likely going to get value for Artest. I wonder about this report because it seems so unlike Popovich, particularly given Pop's reaction to the Rodman fiasco.

I also don't get this idea (assuming it to be true) because I can't figure where Artest fits in a rotation that Pop has been so reluctant to change. Do you ship out Bowen who's been such a good citizen and effective player? Surely, you don't send out Manu or Parker. But if you're bringing in Artest, you have to create space at a wing spot -- do you deal Finley after he spurned others to come here? I just don't know. The realities of the situtation make me think that either there's something huge cooking and it's going to get a lot of people mad, or there's nothing to the Spurs angle here.

I guess if he could move either Rasho or Nazr, throw in a contract like Barry's and really only give up Beno while getting back Artest and any one of Indy's countless parts, it could prove to be worthwhile.

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I just can't imagine that Pop would take on a player who wants to leave Indy because he isn't getting enough touches. Add to that the fact that he's been a menace everywhere he's been, and it just doesn't make sense that Pop would want to upset the apple cart.

Sure, there will be an opening at small forward in the coming years, but this certainly isn't the solution.

It's easy to think that adding talent would make the Spurs better, but it doesn't always work that way. I know that some would have liked to see a lineup of Gary Payton, Tyrone Nesby, and some other washed-up scrubs. Adding Artest would be similar in one respect: it doesn't make any sense, and there would be significant risk involved.

You do know that if SA gets Artest, he will start in Bowens place.

You still want Artest?

that was posted in the nba forum yesterday

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Originally Posted by Dre_7

You do know that if SA gets Artest, he will start in Bowens place.

You still want Artest?

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Hell no, bring Artest off the bench, just give em alot of minutes.

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Originally Posted by Oh, Gee!!

I think he'd give up Scola, Barry, and even Beno for Artest. As far as the rotation, Artest would either start or back up Manu. Either way, he'd get some good minutes. Artest is in the last year of his deal so it wouldn't be a huge risk for the spurs.

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It would be a huge risk because the Spurs are about winning right now. And if anything complicated their chances this season, the trade would end up being a bad one. Remember, Artest cost his team any attempt at a title last season, and I find it hard to believe that he's going to get more touches in San Antonio. That's what he's seeking - more touches.

He's volatile, the Spurs won't be able to give him what he wants, and he'll create a logjam.

Bruce Bowen's name was linked to the trade rumors.

WFAN's Mike Francesa said, "The Spurs are already winning the champion ship. Put Artest on the team and you might as well give it to them now for the next 5 years!"

You might've seen this in the New York Post, too:

"The New York Post reports Rod Thorn placed his obligatory call to Indiana about Ron Artest. Thorn's gut feeling where Artest lands: "Somewhere West.""

:fro

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Bruce Bowen's name was linked to the trade rumors.

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:lmao

If it's anyone, it would be something like Barry + Oberto.

But the Pacers want to trade him to a BAD team .. that's not the Spurs.

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Originally Posted by Brodels

It would be a huge risk because the Spurs are about winning right now. And if anything complicated their chances this season, the trade would end up being a bad one. Remember, Artest cost his team any attempt at a title last season, and I find it hard to believe that he's going to get more touches in San Antonio. That's what he's seeking - more touches.

He's volatile, the Spurs won't be able to give him what he wants, and he'll create a logjam.

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Bingo. It wouldnt work, anyless Pop started Artest and made him the number 2 go-to-guy. Wont happen.

Please, no Artest!!!

If Bruce leaves, I'll be pissed.

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Originally Posted by Brodels

I just can't imagine that Pop would take on a player who wants to leave Indy because he isn't getting enough touches. Add to that the fact that he's been a menace everywhere he's been, and it just doesn't make sense that Pop would want to upset the apple cart.

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Agreed. So much of the Spurs' recent successes have been built on chemistry and selfless commitment to team. Artest could, I guess, fit in if he chose to, but it strikes me as unlikely. And given what the Spurs have done to line up a couple more title runs in the short term, taking that gamble doesn't seem to make a lot of sense from a basketball standpoint or a chemistry standpoint.

And again, reportedly, Pop had the chance to get Artest for Steve Smith a few years ago and turned that down. Why on Earth, with all that's happened since then, would he deal a better player for that guy?

Bowen and Artest on the same team?

If that happened Kobe and Ray would both go jump off a building.

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Originally Posted by SA210

Hell no, bring Artest off the bench, just give em alot of minutes.

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Think about this: he's averaging almost 20 points on almost 15 shots per game. And he's saying that he wants to be traded because that's not enough for him. Do you think he would be satisfied in San Antonio given the fact that he will average less touches and points there?

Bowen is too crucial to the Spurs success. They better not trade him. :pctoss

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Originally Posted by Kori Ellis

:lmao

If it's anyone, it would be something like Barry + Oberto.

But the Pacers want to trade him to a BAD team .. that's not the Spurs.

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Man i'd hate to see Barry go, but this scenario sounds better to me than others. I love Brent.

Who really wants Artest on the team?

I don't, I mean we're already a lock-in for the 'ship.

What would be the point of Bowen and Artest, though?

It seems like Barry would be a nice fit for Indiana and we don't really need him now that we got Finley.

I want Artest.

He's a younger, better version of Bowen.

And he's nuts.

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Originally Posted by Ghost Writer

Bruce Bowen's name was linked to the trade rumors.

WFAN's Mike Francesa said, "The Spurs are already winning the champion ship. Put Artest on the team and you might as well give it to them now for the next 5 years!"

You might've seen this in the New York Post, too:

"The New York Post reports Rod Thorn placed his obligatory call to Indiana about Ron Artest. Thorn's gut feeling where Artest lands: "Somewhere West.""

:fro

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Next five years? Do you actually think that the Spurs would break the bank to re-sign him? I can't see the Spurs handing out another big, long-term contract anytime soon, so the five years thing is a bunch of crap.

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Originally Posted by Ghost Writer

What would be the point of Bowen and Artest, though?

It seems like Barry would be a nice fit for Indiana and we don't really need him now that we got Finley.

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Artest wouldn't start if he came to the Spurs. He'd be a backup swingman. He's already said that he would come off the bench if he went to a good team. I don't think there's any chance he'd end up here. But just so you know, they aren't going to throw him into the starting lineup. He'd be a role player here.

The Pacers have always had a thing for Oberto. They could use a shooter in Barry. Even in ESPN Insider yesterday they said if anything, the Spurs would offer Barry + Oberto. The salaries match and everything. BUT, it's very very inplausible.

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Originally Posted by Brodels

It would be a huge risk because the Spurs are about winning right now. And if anything complicated their chances this season, the trade would end up being a bad one. Remember, Artest cost his team any attempt at a title last season, and I find it hard to believe that he's going to get more touches in San Antonio. That's what he's seeking - more touches.

He's volatile, the Spurs won't be able to give him what he wants, and he'll create a logjam.

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if he get's crazy, we bury him on the bench. His contract is up at the end of the year so we could let him go if it doesn't work. Ron could be a great addition for the spurs; but if he goes "Artest" on us, we'll let him ride pine. basically he'd be riding the same pine Oberto and Barry would be riding if we didn't get him.

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Originally Posted by Ghost Writer

I want Artest.

He's a younger, better version of Bowen.

And he's nuts.

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Younger, yes. Better? No, not IMO.

I just don't want to be afraid to go to Spurs games because we have a freakin' lunatic who starts riots on the team. I don't want him around our guys on a long-term basis. The guy's a nut-job.

I wouldn't mind Artest on our team. But I don't wanna lose certain key guys. Another thing, if we did get em, I don't think Pop would put up with his childish ways.

If he came, Bruce could actually be a good mentor to him, and he could be as good or better than Bruce after Bruce is gone. considering I think Bruce is best defensive player in the game, that's alot of work for Ron.

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Originally Posted by Ghost Writer

I want Artest.

He's a younger, better version of Bowen.

And he's nuts.

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Of course you want him. He's all about flash, not winning. He's pretty much said as much by stating that it's most important for him to get more touches and score more points.

He wants to be in a place where he can get more touches. So SA isn't going to be a place he's going to want to be.

So you're telling me that you want the Spurs to trade for a guy who doesn't want to be in San Antonio, who has created problems everywhere he's been, and who is a free agent at the end of the year?

Who's your starting small forward next season if you move Bruce? Melvin Sanders?

if the pacers want to send him to a bad team
knicks is the only bad team mentioned here

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Originally Posted by Brodels

Of course you want him. He's all about flash, not winning. He's pretty much said as much by stating that it's most important for him to get more touches and score more points.

He wants to be in a place where he can get more touches. So SA isn't going to be a place he's going to want to be.

So you're telling me that you want the Spurs to trade for a guy who doesn't want to be in San Antonio, who has created problems everywhere he's been, and who is a free agent at the end of the year?

?

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he said that but he also said he would backup lebron james