Spurs Want Ron Artest? (Rumor? Need ESPN Insider)

[ChumpDumper]

[Ghost Writer]

The great thing about that is, if he starts breaking plays he'll get benched. His former teams depended on him too much and Artest could always argue he was the best player on the team -- even if it wasn't true. He would be the fourth option on the Spurs, and if he didn't play like it, he wouldn't be an option at all.

Chump, are you in favor of trading for Artest?

I never thought you'd ever agree with me on anything.

[ChumpDumper]

You didn't notice I have been fine with an Artest trade since before you even came back.

Good to know you haven't been reading my posts.

[Ghost Writer]

I have been reading, but you have not been as direct as now.

Well done.

It's a risk worth taking and we can still bench his @ss or let him go in the summer.

Who cares about a first round pick given the team's current makeup and the young guys we have on tap?

[Mr. Body]

He's doing it wrong. Those should be pit bulls with scar marks.

[Holt's Cat]

Who cares about a first round pick given the team's current makeup and the young guys we have on tap?

Yeah, the Spurs couldn't use any picks. They don't have 4 postseasons with Duncan left after this season.

[timaios]

Ron Artest with his dinner...

[Ghost Writer]

Yeah, the Spurs couldn't use any picks. They don't have 4 postseasons with Duncan left after this season.

Good luck with that.

You can waste time cultivating a rookie next year.

I'll win with Artest now.



P.S.

Don't he have some young talent ready to contribute as early as next year as it is?

Weak take, pal.

You don't hang on to a 2008 draft pick if you can get Artest... not if you are the Spurs and have veterans and former draft picks poised to help.

[Holt's Cat]

I think the weakest take is the notion that a player who is worth only a couple of expiring contracts and a 1st round pick due to his insanity is somehow a sure thing that guarantees that the Spurs will 'win now'.

[Ghost Writer]

Okay... you don't want Artest even for a bargain asking price.

You've made that much clear.

Thanks!

[Holt's Cat]

Um, yeah. Congrats on finally figuring it out.

[Streakyshooter08]

One thing I liked about Ron is that he said, if he opts out he will look to play for a ring and that money is not his priority. I think it really depends on what you have to give up. If it is really only Barry, Elson and a 1st rounder you HAVE to do it. Elson is wothless, so it is pretty much Barry for Artest. Artest stated that he really respects TD and I also think that Pop would handle him well. And even if he does not work out you would still have the big 3 along with Fin, Bowen, Vaughn, Oberto, Horry, Udoka.... He is a good defender and is able to score as well. The opportunity to play for the ring might give him some extra focus.

If you can get him without blowing up the team completely. Do it.

That said, I think the chances to get him are really really slim.

[Ghost Writer]

Um, yeah. Congrats on finally figuring it out.

Nah.

I've always known that you are a scared contrarian.

For the record, Holt's Cat wants to send the same package for Kurt Thomas that we could get Ron Artest for.

Did you lose your b@lls the same time you lost your mind?

[Holt's Cat]

Nah.

I've always known that you are a scared contrarian.

Scared of what? I'm not the one advocating taking on a known nutcase because a couple other teams made some trades.

For the record, Holt's Cat wants to send the same package for Kurt Thomas that we could get Ron Artest for.

Sure, because there is actually a need for Thomas. And he's a playoff tested bigman who is not insane.

Did you lose your b@lls the same time you lost your mind?

Nah. I think with my mind and use my balls to procreate.

[Ghost Writer]

Very well, then.

[coopdogg3]

I would much rather have Kurt Thomas (or Diop or some other center that can rebound, block, and get garbage points) than Artest. There is a fine line between stupidity and bravery. Between having balls and pulling the trigger on a panic trade.

Artest strikes me as a stupid, panic trade. Artest has an incredibly low shooting %, adds nothing to the team dynamic (in fact he'll probably take away from it), but he does play good defense. I think the negatives out-weigh the positives with Artest.

And the line that we can just bench Artest if he goes nutty means we're trading for someone who won't play. Doesn't make sense to me. We know what KT will bring. We know that he will add to our team. We know that he will improve our play from the center position. We know that KT increases our chances of winning a championship. I see no reason to take the chance of acquiring Artest, especially when I think all the recent trades have weakened 2 of our strongest compe ors (I think Dallas and Phoenix got weaker), granted the Lakers got stronger - but we should still be able to beat them.