Ron Artest in Silver and Black

[Ghost Writer]

How so? Veteran star. Been there, done that. Looking for a ring. By that time Denver will have gone as far as they are going to go.

Iverson's greatest asset is his speed... I am not sure his skills won't have deteriorated a little by then.

I'd entertain bringing him in, but not for a long-term or lucrative deal.

Actually... you think he's "Spurs material"?

For me to flinch a little is telling...

... y'know, Iverson has been good for Denver, so what not if the price is right?

[coachmac87]

Why?

legit prospect??? he has more upside than barry..if spurs trade barry i think barry retires at seasons end.

was just curious if they could trade udoka if someone asked for him

[Mr. Body]

Artest in SA would come off the bench, playing some at the 3 and on occasion at the 4 as matchups dictate. That makes the most sense; limits the change needed should Artest do something stupid and be unavailable, matches Artest up against other team's second units, and allows the Spurs to maintain continuity with their starting 5.

He'd start in some small ball sets, but I agree. Usually he'll be off the bench. With Manu, they'll have a devastating second unit.

[coachmac87]

He'd start in some small ball sets, but I agree. Usually he'll be off the bench. With Manu, they'll have a devastating second unit.

if artest is on the bench...start manu!

[Ghost Writer]

Artest in SA would come off the bench, playing some at the 3 and on occasion at the 4 as matchups dictate. That makes the most sense; limits the change needed should Artest do something stupid and be unavailable, matches Artest up against other team's second units, and allows the Spurs to maintain continuity with their starting 5.

Wrong.

He should start.

He's better than Bowen and there's not a ton of dropoff on the defensive end.

Pop may start Bowen over him out of loyalty.

He could move Finley to the bench, possibly.


And don't you dare warm up to this idea now, Holt's Cat.

[Holt's Cat]

Iverson's greatest asset is his speed... I am not sure his skills won't have deteriorated a little by then.

So he gets 20 minutes a night. Speed isn't a bad thing (ie Parker).

I'd entertain bringing him in, but not for a long-term or lucrative deal.

Actually... you think he's "Spurs material"?

For me to flinch a little is telling...

... y'know, Iverson has been good for Denver, so what not if the price is right?

Sure he is. See, the greatest misconception about Pop is that he's some kind of old school white ex-military dude who expects his players to look a certain way. That's furthest from the case. He does expect his players to be professionals, execute, and play to win. He differs in style than one of his mentors, Larry Brown, who treats his players like idiots and teaches them again and again even though they've been in the league for 10 years. Pop does get frustrated with young players, as he treats them like pros and expects them to act like pros. That was the problem with Udrih. But Pop's style seems to go over very well with the vets he coaches. He doesn't talk down to them, but he will call them out on the carpet when warranted. But he's fair and transparent about it. That's how I see AI as a natural fit with the Spurs.

[Holt's Cat]

Wrong.

He should start.

He's better than Bowen and there's not a ton of dropoff on the defensive end.

Pop may start Bowen over him out of loyalty.

He could move Finley to the bench, possibly.


And don't you dare warm up to this idea now, Holt's Cat.

I'm not warming up to the idea, I'm just telling it like it is. They aren't going to shuffle the starting lineup to start him. Elson and Barry are going out the door. A mobile big and a swingman, both off the bench, and Barry sees a lot of 3 and even 4 in some Spur lineups.

[tp2021]

man if we had bruce, tim, ime, and artest, we could hold every opponent to sub-18 point quarters, just like last night against the bobcats.

[Holt's Cat]

Oh well, let's let the Spurs actually acquire the player before we start the circle jerk about how Pop is obviously not coaching correctly and playing Artest 48 minutes a night.

[naico]

Like i said before i dont think its gonna happen. But Sacramento likes it though. Now pressure's on Denver and they'll be foolish enough to give up more than they had anticipated. They are not willing to let Artest go to the spurs. never.

[coachmac87]

Like i said before i dont think its gonna happen. But Sacramento likes it though. Now pressure's on Denver and they'll be foolish enough to give up more than they had anticipated. They are not willing to let Artest go to the spurs. never.

and will the spurs allow him to denver???

[Holt's Cat]

If the Spurs do this then perhaps they find some old vet big out there to come in and lean on Shaq for 10 minutes a night.

[Holt's Cat]

Better yet, Spurs do this deal and Kurt Thomas is bought out by Sammy and joins the Spurs.

[ChumpDumper]

If the Spurs do this then perhaps they find some old vet big out there to come in and lean on Shaq for 10 minutes a night.

Seems like that would be easier to get as a FA signing than an Artest-like talent. PJ Brown, maybe Kurt Thomas in a few weeks.

[Ghost Writer]

So he gets 20 minutes a night. Speed isn't a bad thing (ie Parker).



Sure he is. See, the greatest misconception about Pop is that he's some kind of old school white ex-military dude who expects his players to look a certain way. That's furthest from the case. He does expect his players to be professionals, execute, and play to win. He differs in style than one of his mentors, Larry Brown, who treats his players like idiots and teaches them again and again even though they've been in the league for 10 years. Pop does get frustrated with young players, as he treats them like pros and expects them to act like pros. That was the problem with Udrih. But Pop's style seems to go over very well with the vets he coaches. He doesn't talk down to them, but he will call them out on the carpet when warranted. But he's fair and transparent about it. That's how I see AI as a natural fit with the Spurs.

Uh... we agree about Iverson, except you won't sell him on 20 MPG.

[Spurminator]

and will the spurs allow him to denver???

They have nothing to offer that beats a trade involving Kleiza.

[Holt's Cat]

Replace Barry and Elson with Artest and Thomas? Maybe the Ghost-Spam would finally end.

Nah, it never does.

[ChumpDumper]

They have nothing to offer that beats a trade involving Kleiza.

Just more picks, maybe.

[Holt's Cat]

Uh... we agree about Iverson, except you won't sell him on 20 MPG.

If he wants a ring he will be sold. That's 35 year old AI by that time.

[Indazone]

Are you nuts? With Artest's scoring ability and his multiple les of defensive player of the year. Bruce Bowen's minutes would drop to near zero. Artest would run circles around him. Artest is a cinch to start. That being said. I really really don't want him going to the Spurs. Please Isiah! Zach Randolph for Artest!!!

[tav1]

My guess is that Artest would start along with Fin and the rest of the regulars. Bowen's minutes would sink to like 15 per, and Udoka would play the 4 in small ball sets.

[Holt's Cat]

Are you nuts? With Artest's scoring ability and his multiple les of defensive player of the year. Bruce Bowen's minutes would drop to near zero. Artest would run circles around him. Artest is a cinch to start. That being said. I really really don't want him going to the Spurs. Please Isiah! Zach Randolph for Artest!!!

Artest won't be expected to defend the opponent's primary scorer in SA. The opponent's primary perimeter scorer usually starts, so Bowen starts. If Manu stays in the starting lineup then there's all the more reason for Artest to come off the bench.

[theroc5]

Parker Manu bowen artest and Duncan in the 4th qrt

[Ghost Writer]

Artest won't be expected to defend the opponent's primary scorer in SA. The opponent's primary perimeter scorer usually starts, so Bowen starts. If Manu stays in the starting lineup then there's all the more reason for Artest to come off the bench.

I see Manu going to the bench and leading the second team again with Artest mercifully supplanting Bowen or Finley as a starter.

Either we save aging Bowen for his defensive prowress in the playoffs or gain Finely's 3s off the bench. Neither is as well-rounded as Artest.

I was right about D. Stoudamire starting, too.

[Holt's Cat]

My guess is that Artest would start along with Fin and the rest of the regulars. Bowen's minutes would sink to like 15 per, and Udoka would play the 4 in small ball sets.

Udoka's minutes will be squeezed as Manu/Finley will get the minutes at the 2 and Bowen/Artest would get the minutes at the 3. In 'small ball' sets it would likely be Artest who slides to the 4.