So when's Artest going to implode?

[LakeShow]

He hasnt imploded (credit to him), but he has been anything but 'great' or 'what the Lakers wanted'. I think they thought they were getting a guy who could be bit more of factor offensively, and i dont think they anticipated he had lost so much in terms of his defense, namely speed and quickness.

I think they regret their decision to let Ariza go... but its not like Artest is a deadweight like a Radman or Walton.

I like this matching up with Pierce a lot better than I do Ariza. He's too strong for Ariza, he'll just back him down all game, Artest is not having that! Artest will be the difference. Book it!

[Flux451]

bows will be a flyin

[TheMACHINE]

He hasnt imploded (credit to him), but he has been anything but 'great' or 'what the Lakers wanted'. I think they thought they were getting a guy who could be bit more of factor offensively, and i dont think they anticipated he had lost so much in terms of his defense, namely speed and quickness.

I think they regret their decision to let Ariza go... but its not like Artest is a deadweight like a Radman or Walton.

lol...this post has fail all over it.

Factor offensively? Lakers got him strictly for defensive purposes.

Regret thier decision? In case you dont now it, the Lakers are about to start thier first game in the Finals next week. Whats there to regret?

[bostonguy]

This is where we will finally see Artest's true impact. This is a series where he will be really needed. He has the strength to match Pierce.

[Giuseppe]

If he didn't have that put back and LA lost the game, he would of.

And the glorious bas couldn't make a layup to save his life in the prior 100 games. Not that nite though.

What's best though, 4>? The Suns, vaporizing that Spur's ass afore Artest took 'em to the woodshed.

[TampaDude]

Someone please quote this. I guarantee he is going to do something boneheaded to cause the Lakers to lose one of these games in the Finals.

[angelbelow]

youre ing horrible, leave this type of to lava.

[Fabbs]

He had a great game 6, but did you see how he was totally ignoring PJ in game 5 after he took the shot and went to the bench? Phil was talking to him and he was just ignoring him and got up a few secs later...his 3pt shooting has been great too. Specially that shot with 22 secs left on the shotclock...if he didn't put back kobe's airball we'd be hearing about that dumb shot for a while...

This is where Phoenix, and specifically Jason Richardsons lame failed box out put the stopgap on fullon Artest implosion.

As you mentioned what happened, if Richardson does the slightest of boxing out and Phx prevailed in OT, i have no doubt Implosion Artest 2010 would have come the next game. Instead he looked like he just had a good therapy session and some excellent lithium.

[21_Blessings]

Perkins is more likely to implode to be honest

[Ghazi]

lol @ Bynum being the 4th best center in the Finals.

[4>0rings]

And the glorious bas couldn't make a layup to save his life in the prior 100 games. Not that nite though.

What's best though, 4>? The Suns, vaporizing that Spur's ass afore Artest took 'em to the woodshed.

We talkin' home town rings, crotch rot. Which your team, the Suns, have none.

[SomeCallMeTim]

This is where we will finally see Artest's true impact. This is a series where he will be really needed. He has the strength to match Pierce.

He was needed vs. OKC and did a great job... he gave Durant fits.

Pierce is a different story, likely easier in some ways, more difficult in others. One thing I'd expect is that Ron won't be able to get in Pierce's head like he seemed to Durant's. I'm not talking about trash talk, I'm talking about where Durant started to rush even his open looks because Artest was so dogged about getting back into plays when screened off or switched. I wouldn't expect Pierce to be missing his open looks so much.

[SomeCallMeTim]

This is where Phoenix, and specifically Jason Richardsons lame failed box out put the stopgap on fullon Artest implosion.

As you mentioned what happened, if Richardson does the slightest of boxing out and Phx prevailed in OT, i have no doubt Implosion Artest 2010 would have come the next game. Instead he looked like he just had a good therapy session and some excellent lithium.

As much as I'd like to disagree with you, I can't say your alternate scenario wouldn't have been impossible. Didn't like that 3-pointer he took (it was the first really dumb shot I can remember him taking in a long while... maybe all year). Didn't like his reaction to Phil's criticism. I think he earned a lot of slack with his great at ude, hustle, and 98% sticking to the script this year, but still... his less recent history suggests that long-term he'll have a relapse.

Instead, what happened happened and he turned from potential goat to definite hero and instead the lingering "how dumb was that?" moment from the series is Sasha lighting a fire under Dragic and the Suns with his dumb elbow to the chops move.

[Ashy Larry]

, since that Detroit incident, Ron has been cool ...... should expect him to be cool during the finals as well. Won't have to worry about Pierce being guarded by Walton and Vlad Rad.

[DAF86]

I'm thinking that right about now.

[hater]

good thing he didn't injure himself this time after drinking himself to sleep

[DAF86]

So predictable.