Ron Artest in Silver and Black

[Spurminator]

Hmmmm...

[Reggie Miller]

One last thought:

While I don't see Horry, Duncan, or Ginobili following Artest into the stands (as Stephen Jackson did), I'm not so sure what makes you guys think they could "control" Artest. The fact that they are mentally tougher than Jax, JO, etc. doesn't make Artest any less erratic and unpredictable.

Concrete example: Whott, if you your drawers at work, then scooped up a pile of feces and rubbed it into your hair, how could I stop you? Frankly, a potential problem has to be within the realm of comprehension in order to be addressed. Artest does things that just aren't on anyone's radar until he does them. That's a demonstrated fact.

[texasqb2]

How about this dream deal............

Spurs receive Ron Artest and Udonis Haslem
Kings receive Brent Barry, Matt Bonner, and Spurs 2008 1st Round Pick
Heat receive Robert Horry, Francisco Elson, Kings 2008 2nd Round Pick, Spurs 2009 2nd Round Pick

[whottt]

One last thought:

While I don't see Horry, Duncan, or Ginobili following Artest into the stands (as Stephen Jackson did), I'm not so sure what makes you guys think they could "control" Artest. The fact that they are mentally tougher than Jax, JO, etc. doesn't make Artest any less erratic and unpredictable.

Concrete example: Whott, if you your drawers at work, then scooped up a pile of feces and rubbed it into your hair, how could I stop you? Frankly, a potential problem has to be within the realm of comprehension in order to be addressed. Artest does things that just aren't on anyone's radar until he does them. That's a demonstrated fact.

What makes you think Artest is going to go up into the stands again? Has he done it again?


Truth is...he was trying to stay calm that night, Wallace pissed him off which he dealt with fairly well for a guy with a temper, but getting hit in the face with a beer pushed him over the edge...



Is it really that hard to understand why that set Artest off?


What would you do if you were pissed off and someone threw some beer in your face?



Mental illness?


Anyway...if that happened on the Spurs the Spurs players would go up and get Artest or block him from going into the stands...but I don't think Artest would make that mistake again. There would be someone calming him down...Mike Finley most likely.



That was a huge deal because of PR...it really wasn't that hard to understand why Artest went up into the stands...and I'd be willing to bet a few other players would do the same thing if they were pissed off and then got hit in the face with a beer.

I'd be willing to be some people in this very thread would react in a similar fashion.


There is other stuff that Artest has done that concerns me more than that Pistons ordeal...but the Spurs have gone after some guys that have done similar crap so it really isn't that big of a deal to me anymore.

I actually thought that Piston fight was pretty enjoyable...in particular that part where J O'neal owned that Piston fan.

[timvp]

I'm not too concerned with the chemistry aspect. Pop has said for a while now that the team as constructed could handle a "bad apple" if the player could play. Defensively, it'd be awesome.

Offensively is where I'm not sure Artest is a fit. He's not a ballhog but he's not a good passer and doesn't make fast decisions. And a lot of times Artest tries to do too much when the team he is on is struggling to score points. I've never seen him thrive in a situation where he was just a part of the team rather than a focal point.

I'm still on the fence but it'd be hard for me to turn down a trade that would make the Spurs have a devestating defensive unit without having to give up much value. It could work really nicely for the Spurs. Or it could blow up in their face if Artest turns out to take too many offensive touches from the Big Three.

It's a tough call.

[Ghost Writer]

Artest would not have to create as much or be the focal point and he's good in the half court.

Take a stand, timvp.

[whottt]

Offensively is where I'm not sure Artest is a fit. He's not a ballhog but he's not a good passer and doesn't make fast decisions. And a lot of times Artest tries to do too much when the team he is on is struggling to score points. I've never seen him thrive in a situation where he was just a part of the team rather than a focal point.

.

But he's never really played with a dominant bigman either...not a true one.

I think he's pretty good at hitting open threes...and he's pretty fierce when he drives to the basket...he'd definitely be the Thunder to Manu and Parker's Lightning.


We could put him on Amare, LeBron, Lamar Odom...TMac...and Artest genuinely intimidates players defensively.

I'd be most worried about him picking a stupid tech or flagrant. It'd be something the Spurs would constantly have to be on guard for in the post season...

[Holt's Cat]

To top it off, Artest's deal expires at the end of this year as he seems likely to opt out. That's pointed to as a safety valve if he doesn't work out, but what if he does, at least for the remainder of this season? Then the Spurs are almost forced to resign him. Maybe he gets two years. I think a quality performance with the Spurs would lead to someone offering him more years. So whatever plans there are for cap flexibility in a couple years would take a hit. Then, of course, you have the scenario that somehow Artest manages to be on his best behavior until you re-sign him. Then he gets bored and goes Artest and you have to eat a fair chunk of change or are getting nothing for a long term deal you signed. Yes, with some combination of Horry, Finley and Barry leaving this summer your supporting cast will take a hit, but is Artest the best to replenish that? It seems that everywhere he goes, he ends up commanding less when he leaves.

[whottt]

To top it off, Artest's deal expires at the end of this year as he seems likely to opt out. That's pointed to as a safety valve if he doesn't work out, but what if he does, at least for the remainder of this season? Then the Spurs are almost forced to resign him. Maybe he gets two years. I think a quality performance with the Spurs would lead to someone offering him more years. So whatever plans there are for cap flexibility in a couple years would take a hit. Then, of course, you have the scenario that somehow Artest manages to be on his best behavior until you re-sign him. Then he gets bored and goes Artest and you have to eat a fair chunk of change or are getting nothing for a long term deal you signed. Yes, with some combination of Horry, Finley and Barry leaving this summer your supporting cast will take a hit, but is Artest the best to replenish that? It seems that everywhere he goes, he ends up commanding less when he leaves.

The #1 immediate threat to this teams continued success is the age of and a successor to one Manu Ginobili....Artest addresses that need...not to mention the long SF(big will work).



What makes you think Artest won't take less to play here? He offered to give up part of his salary if the Kings would keep Bonzi and Adelman...


That's the best part about crazy as...money isn't(always) the most important thing to them.


If he walks, he walks....it cost us the boards two favorite whipping boys in Barry and Elson...and #1 pick, and or a one of our two bigmen prospects....small price to pay for a le.


When it comes time to replace Tim Duncan...we aren't likely to be winning les for a while, so why plan for it?


Right here and right now is when we have our best shot to win a le.



Ron Artest: Good for the Spurs. Good for the city of San Antonio

[Ghost Writer]

Nobody forces the Spurs to do anything.

The Spurs may not want him.

Artest may not want the Spurs.

The point is that you get a talented mercenary for the playoffs with no strings attached.

[Martin R]

That would be the stupidest thing we could do. Artest is a cancer that would only disrupt our team chemistry. He can play great defense and score, but his off the court issues and his tendency to lose his cool would outweigh his on court abilities.

agree 100%

[Holt's Cat]

So the Spurs have this "talented mercenary" who presumably just played well and helped you win a championship. Why are you letting him walk?

[Ghost Writer]

So the Spurs have this "talented mercenary" who presumably just played well and helped you win a championship. Why are you letting him walk?

I wouldn't.

You would.

[timvp]

To top it off, Artest's deal expires at the end of this year as he seems likely to opt out. That's pointed to as a safety valve if he doesn't work out, but what if he does, at least for the remainder of this season? Then the Spurs are almost forced to resign him. Maybe he gets two years. I think a quality performance with the Spurs would lead to someone offering him more years. So whatever plans there are for cap flexibility in a couple years would take a hit. Then, of course, you have the scenario that somehow Artest manages to be on his best behavior until you re-sign him. Then he gets bored and goes Artest and you have to eat a fair chunk of change or are getting nothing for a long term deal you signed. Yes, with some combination of Horry, Finley and Barry leaving this summer your supporting cast will take a hit, but is Artest the best to replenish that? It seems that everywhere he goes, he ends up commanding less when he leaves.

Good points.

I think that if you trade for Artest it's just a four-month rental. You just can't give Artest a long-term contract. However, this scenario intrigues me:

1) Spurs buy-low on Artest (Elson, Barry, 1st?)
2) Artest is on good behavior for the rest of the season and helps the Spurs win the championship.
3) Spurs sell-high on Artest via sign-and-trade.

If Artest were to keep sane for four months, the Spurs could flip him into some nice parts that the Spurs will likely need in the offseason.

[timvp]

Take a stand, timvp.

I apologize for considering more than "Will This Trade Get Us On SportsCenter?" when taking my stand.

[urunobili]

Good points.

I think that if you trade for Artest it's just a four-month rental. You just can't give Artest a long-term contract. However, this scenario intrigues me:

1) Spurs buy-low on Artest (Elson, Barry, 1st?)
2) Artest is on good behavior for the rest of the season and helps the Spurs win the championship.
3) Spurs sell-high on Artest via sign-and-trade.

If Artest were to keep sane for four months, the Spurs could flip him into some nice parts that the Spurs will likely need in the offseason.

do you TRULY think he will not alter this team's chemistry?

[T Park]

Good points.

I think that if you trade for Artest it's just a four-month rental. You just can't give Artest a long-term contract. However, this scenario intrigues me:

1) Spurs buy-low on Artest (Elson, Barry, 1st?)
2) Artest is on good behavior for the rest of the season and helps the Spurs win the championship.
3) Spurs sell-high on Artest via sign-and-trade.

If Artest were to keep sane for four months, the Spurs could flip him into some nice parts that the Spurs will likely need in the offseason.

Most likely sell high with the Knicks maybe getting back a Lee, Balkman, or someone decent on that team?

[Ghost Writer]

Good points.

I think that if you trade for Artest it's just a four-month rental. You just can't give Artest a long-term contract. However, this scenario intrigues me:

1) Spurs buy-low on Artest (Elson, Barry, 1st?)
2) Artest is on good behavior for the rest of the season and helps the Spurs win the championship.
3) Spurs sell-high on Artest via sign-and-trade.

If Artest were to keep sane for four months, the Spurs could flip him into some nice parts that the Spurs will likely need in the offseason.

Don't be p1ssy, timvp.

Your above post is sound, except for the sign-and-trade part. The Spurs would not sign Artest in good faith to flip him.

Welcome aboard the Artest 'wagon.

[Holt's Cat]

Don't be p1ssy, timvp.

Your above post is sound, except for the sign-and-trade part. The Spurs would not sign Artest in good faith to flip him.

Welcome aboard the Artest 'wagon.

A sign and trade would involve his consent.

[FromWayDowntown]

The Spurs would not sign Artest in good faith to flip him.

Why not? They did exactly that for Derek Anderson.

[T Park]

If Artest did come, best acting ability, won a ring, and then was flipped for a good wing and or big, that would make a trade like this one of the best in franchise history.

[AFBlue]

A sign and trade would involve his consent.

Trade him to NY for expiring deal of Malik Rose and one of their not-so-idiotic contracts....Chandler? Lee?!?!?!

He'd be all for a trade to NY.

[Ghost Writer]

Why not? They did exactly that for Derek Anderson.

Pod@mn you're off.

The Spurs didn't to re-sign Derek Anderson to a long term contract so he signed a long term contract with the Blazers.

May I suggest an energy drink or picking on a lesser poster.

Please.

[Holt's Cat]

Pod@mn you're off.

The Spurs didn't to re-sign Derek Anderson to a long term contract so he signed a long term contract with the Blazers.

May I suggest an energy drink or picking on a lesser poster.

Please.

That's kinda the point.

[AFBlue]

I'm honestly just amazed that we have so many damn active Artest trade threads, all of which are at least 5 pages....

This reeks of desperation.

Having said that....count me in!