How has Artest played against Ginobili?

[adidas11]

Manu being guarded by Artest is a mismatch. Artest is a small forward, with a power forward physique. In 2006, he physically manhandled Manu with his defensive pressure throughout that series. And he has decent lateral movement to be able to stay with Manu on the perimeter.

An even better question is: Who guards Artest on the defensive end for the Spurs? Artest creates matchup problems with his post game (due to his upper body strength), something that neither Manu of RJ can cope with effectively.

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Manu being guarded by Artest is a mismatch. Artest is a small forward, with a power forward physique. In 2006, he physically manhandled Manu with his defensive pressure throughout that series. And he has decent lateral movement to be able to stay with Manu on the perimeter.

An even better question is: Who guards Artest on the defensive end for the Spurs? Artest creates matchup problems with his post game (due to his upper body strength), something that neither Manu of RJ can cope with effectively.

When Artest starts posting up and not chucking threes you let me know. Kobe is going to handle the ball most of the time and with Gasol and Bynum --assuming he stops sucking-- out there he just isnt going to do post up. Hes not exactly nimble slashing to the basket either.

Artest has definitely lost quite a bit of lateral quickness. You can delude yourself all day long if you want to but the truth remains the same. The key to any matchup between him and Manu is how healthy Manu is.

Manu hasnt really played all that much these last two years. He also played extensively for his national team. He hasn't done that this year and with all this considered it bears to reason he will be fine assuming that his foot/ankle is healed.

[The Franchise]

Manu being guarded by Artest is a mismatch. Artest is a small forward, with a power forward physique. In 2006, he physically manhandled Manu with his defensive pressure throughout that series. And he has decent lateral movement to be able to stay with Manu on the perimeter.

An even better question is: Who guards Artest on the defensive end for the Spurs? Artest creates matchup problems with his post game (due to his upper body strength), something that neither Manu of RJ can cope with effectively.

Well to bad it isn't 2006 anymore. Artest hasn't lost a step...he's lost about 3 or 4. He is also about 15 pounds heavier which never helps when you are older. I personally suffered through Brandon Roy looking like MJ because Artest was to slow to stay in front of him. At this point the man is living off past accomplishments. He is not the defender he once was. As far as the offensive mismatches, the man shoots 40% from the floor so I would not worry about those being to much of an issue. If Manu is healthy he will Rape the Artest of today, because he is no longer a lockdown defender. He is now only slightly (very slightly and I think I'm being nice) above average.

[The_Game]

laughable comments

Artest will not shoot 40% in L.A's system....more like 44-45%...being in Laker will only help him.

Artest is still an elite defender has he lost a step? maybe but not by much...he will be defending guys like Lebron, Melo, Pierce the guys that matter. Manu is good but the way he has struggled with injury he won't be that big a threat anymore anyway. Manu is a good all-star level player but he certainly isn't any better than that.

[Ditty]

i rather artest be jacking up 3's in the lakers system but if he trys to post guys up i would love to see blair rape artest in the post

artest played decent on ginobili 4 years ago lol

ginobili will be probably guarded by vuja or kobe

ginobili would tire out artest fat ass and burn him at will

[duhoh]

ive watched ron ron all season this past year.

he's still an above average defender, still knows how to guard people extremely well, but with last season, he was trying to score as much as defend with t-mac out.

i'd have to say that battier did more of the dirty work, but crazy pills still took care of business.

if he plays rafer alston-esque, (chucking 3s) we will be in good shape. LA is still the champs, but the watching brooks torch them gives me confidence that Parker is gonna own. But still, on the physical end, they are bigger and faster, with the best 2 guard in the game right now. but they are beatable.

regardless of the results, this coming season is gonna be incredible to watch, that's for sure. here's to hoping that tim and pop gets one for the thumb.

[noob cake]

Manu being guarded by Artest is a mismatch. Artest is a small forward, with a power forward physique. In 2006, he physically manhandled Manu with his defensive pressure throughout that series. And he has decent lateral movement to be able to stay with Manu on the perimeter.

An even better question is: Who guards Artest on the defensive end for the Spurs? Artest creates matchup problems with his post game (due to his upper body strength), something that neither Manu of RJ can cope with effectively.

1) Artest doesn't post up, ever basically
2) I don't know much about Manu's quickness, but Artest can't guard quick SG anymore. Elite shooting guards will burn him.
3) Nevertheless, Artest is still an elite defensive player, who is the best LeBron "stopper" in the game. Having the ability to check LeBron makes him a worthwhile addition to the Lakers even if he does NOTHING else the whole season. Lets face it, Lakers/Spurs are the most likely WCF champion. Nuggets are crazy overrated. Blazers are good but lacks something found in Lakers/Spurs.

Stop worrying about Ginobli. Parker will own the Lakers; only Kobe going off can keep the game tight. If Fisher/whoever can't guard Brooks, try Parker.

[The_Game]

i rather artest be jacking up 3's in the lakers system but if he trys to post guys up i would love to see blair rape artest in the post

artest played decent on ginobili 4 years ago lol

ginobili will be probably guarded by vuja or kobe

ginobili would tire out artest fat ass and burn him at will

LMAO Blair? that 2nd round scrub? what a joke

manu will tire out artest? newsflash this isn't 2006...

parker will be a tough cover for L.A but even in 05 parker still only averaged like 20 a game...he will need to go off for 25 at least to beat L.A in a best of 7 series.

[Ditty]

LMAO Blair? that 2nd round scrub? what a joke

manu will tire out artest? newsflash this isn't 2006...

parker will be a tough cover for L.A but even in 05 parker still only averaged like 20 a game...he will need to go off for 25 at least to beat L.A in a best of 7 series.

lol blair is actually better than any second round scrub yall have right now he'll even last more than that overated scrub in bynum

artest fatass wont do any post up crap blair will out muscle artest and make him his this time

ginobili would on artest if he dare guards ginobili

parker will have a field day with the lakers knowing that theres a soft center and glass center in the paint with a point guard who should of retired 5 years ago

[picc84]

Parker never owns the Lakers. We do an decent job containing him.

The spur i'm worried about is Duncan, as it should be. If he's truly back and healthy he will be the largest concern, not Parker.

[picc84]

Also, I have a feeling that like every other player that comes to LA, Artest will all of a sudden break out and message board posters everywhere will be like "where did this come from?", just like what always happens with our acquisitions. It never fails, players are scrubs, Phil, Kobe, and our coaching staff get ahold of them, and all of a sudden they're getting lucrative FA contract offers.

Artest will probably revert back to 2006 form just to piss people off.

[My Fault]

LMAO Blair? that 2nd round scrub? what a joke

manu will tire out artest? newsflash this isn't 2006...

parker will be a tough cover for L.A but even in 05 parker still only averaged like 20 a game...he will need to go off for 25 at least to beat L.A in a best of 7 series.

Come on you know Parker always goes off come playoff time and has taken his game to a different level since 05. Although I agree Blair as a rookie is unlikely to be a factor come playoff time.

[Agloco]

how
manu is on the bench facebooking

.......and you were doing so well. Crawl back under the rock please.

[baseline bum]

Also, I have a feeling that like every other player that comes to LA, Artest will all of a sudden break out and message board posters everywhere will be like "where did this come from?", just like what always happens with our acquisitions. It never fails, players are scrubs, Phil, Kobe, and our coaching staff get ahold of them, and all of a sudden they're getting lucrative FA contract offers.

Artest will probably revert back to 2006 form just to piss people off.

Just like JR Rider?

[ducks]

.......and you were doing so well. Crawl back under the rock please.

I am doing well thank you
fixing computers all day and night

[SpurCharger]

Artest has lost more than a step, and the bottom line is Kobe won't be able to rest on defense anymore. Will be fun to see.

I disagree, Where Has Artest Lost A step??? He played Great In the playoffs last year.... And Kobe Is Gonna Be able to rest Because Artest Will Be Guarding the Best Perimeter Player for the other Team.

[Agloco]

I disagree, Where Has Artest Lost A step??? He played Great In the playoffs last year.... And Kobe Is Gonna Be able to rest Because Artest Will Be Guarding the Best Perimeter Player for the other Team.

You've been watching too many re-runs from 04-06. Manu will eat Artest alive on the offensive end.

[daslicer]

Just like JR Rider?

Also add Dennis Rodman to that list.

[lennyalderette]

artest has lost a step at age 29 yet Manu and Duncan havn't lost a step? funny stuff.

umm sorry bro but stats speak well for duncan, manu and tim use their brain cells, and of course theyre slower but artest doesnt have the smarts to compensate for age lets put all b.s aside here all of a sudden artest goes to l.a and hes a genius give me a brake! on the other hand we might have the perfect match for artest with blair dropping pounds this summer and doesnt appear to be scared of anyone.

[The_Game]

i wish spurs fans would stop mentioning Blair like he could actually bring something

the guy was a 2nd rounder on one of the worse drafts EVER..the guy is a scrub until proven otherwise.

You've been watching too many re-runs from 04-06. Manu will eat Artest alive on the offensive end.

I wish spurs fans would stop overrating Manu....you are acting like he is some unstoppable force..Artest is still an elite defender he will give manu problems. the fact kobe has some help on the permeter is only going to be good for him and L.A.

[Spursmania]

.......and you were doing so well. Crawl back under the rock please.

[honestfool84]

I wish spurs fans would stop overrating Manu....you are acting like he is some unstoppable force..Artest is still an elite defender he will give manu problems. the fact kobe has some help on the permeter is only going to be good for him and L.A.

you're overrating artest as much as you claim some spurs' fans are overrating manu...so why don't you just STFU?

[Mr.Robinson]

I disagree, Where Has Artest Lost A step??? He played Great In the playoffs last year.... And Kobe Is Gonna Be able to rest Because Artest Will Be Guarding the Best Perimeter Player for the other Team.

Good thing the Spurs have 2 good perimeter players this season.

[The_Game]

you're overrating artest as much as you claim some spurs' fans are overrating manu...so why don't you just STFU?

Artest has always been an elite defender, Manu has never destroyed anybody. He is all-star level player..nothing more. He may have big games against artest but wouldn't do it consistantly.

[21_Blessings]

Artest has lost more than a step, and the bottom line is Kobe won't be able to rest on defense anymore. Will be fun to see.

And the Spurs have absolutely nobody on the roster to guard Kobe. Will be fun to see.