Trade for Ron Artest Right Now

[FromWayDowntown]

FWD, all I ask is that you take issue with what I actually post.

Thanks, man.

Nice talking to you.

I'm going to pick up my discourse with the others.

For all of our differences, at list Holt's Cat and I stay grounded in our discussions.

Holt's Cat and I are making virtually the same points.

I have no quarrel with you. I'm not sure why you're acting like I bring nothing to this discussion.

[Ghost Writer]

He does now.

I'm sorry... that was not fair.

Coach something other than Duncan-led team.

[T Park]

That's a shame. I wanted to see him actually coach.

Its a shame you missed the past few years and this year.

[Holt's Cat]

That's a cheap shot.

How so? That's what you're all about.

You know d@mn well that I would no sooner want the Spurs to be like the Nuggets than I would the Knicks for that matter.

Odd, since everything you advocate goes against the grain of Spurs Basketball.

If Duncan or Manu are cool with it, maybe you trade them for picks towards the tail end of their careers.

I don't think you make Parker your franchise player moving forward, either.

Sure you do. Play an uptempo style and surround him with a bunch of young athletes. That's where things are currently headed.

[FromWayDowntown]

Jeezus, Spurm, not you again.

Aren't you afraid to pick a bone after being destroyed yesterday?

You alleged that the Mavs were built primarily through their drafts, yet come to find out, only Howard was drafted by them, as pointed out right away by yours truly.

The point about the Jazz is that you can be a playoff team for a very long time and then get back to the playoffs without rebuilding for many years.

Because they hit it big in the lottery and managed to sign one free agent.

[Ghost Writer]

Good one, FWD. I am begging you to read... we already covered how the Jazz extended their run. They drafted, traded and signed impact players above and beyond Stockton and Malone.

Just so I can move on, you are right... the Spurs need to suck for a loooooong time to get back to the top when Duncan winds down.

You win, dude.

Good argument.

The Jazz are a terrible example of staying good, rebooting for two years and getting back to the playoffs.

[Ghost Writer]

How so? That's what you're all about.



Odd, since everything you advocate goes against the grain of Spurs Basketball.



Sure you do. Play an uptempo style and surround him with a bunch of young athletes. That's where things are currently headed.

Nah.

I want to put Spurs Basketball over the top with a shrewd trade.

If we build around Parker without getting 2 better players than him, we're doomed, by the way. He's not Chris Paul and even Paul needs his D. West and Peja.

[Holt's Cat]

Over the top? They are on top.

[Ghost Writer]

Okay, dude.

Time has stood still and the NBA has not changed since last June.

Stand pat or send the same sh1t for Thomas as I would for Artest.

You've made your stance abundantly clear.

[FromWayDowntown]

Good one, FWD. I am begging you to read... we already covered how the Jazz extended their run. They drafted, traded and signed impact players above and beyond Stockton and Malone.

And, still, the Jazz run ended when Stockton and Malone walked out the door. They missed the playoffs for 3 straight years and finished 30 games under .500 in another season, but made a stellar draft pick and netted a big-time free agent. It's not like they dealt for a bunch of guys who made them good in the post-Stockton and Malone era -- they drafted Kirilenko while S&M were still there; they picked up Okur and Boozer via free agency; and they drafted Deron Williams and Ronnie Brewer with lottery picks.

I can definitely see your argument for how the Jazz made a seamless transition.

I'm not saying the Spurs have to be bad for an extended period of time to find success on the other end, but I do think there's going to be a period of time when the Spurs will be bad. Whether that's one year or ten, it's extremely likely to happen. I'd prefer that it be a short experience, just like the Jazz had.

[Holt's Cat]

Okay, dude.

Time has stood still and the NBA has not changed since last June.

Stand pat or send the same sh1t for Thomas as I would for Artest.

You've made your stance abundantly clear.

Movement doesn't equal improvement.

[Ghost Writer]

You cry about losing a draft pick and a valuable roll player for Artest, but not for Thomas.

Incredulous.

[Holt's Cat]

Sure, because Thomas is a playoff tested veteran and not likely to bite the head off a puppy in his spare time.

[Ghost Writer]

Sure, because Thomas is a playoff tested veteran and not likely to bite the head off a puppy in his spare time.

And that makes him worth it to you.

Please don't bring up the draft pick or the valuable role player B.S. again.

[Holt's Cat]

What "BS"? The Spurs could use a big like Thomas. I'd give a 2nd rounder for him.

[FromWayDowntown]

I'd argue that Thomas more closely fits an urgent need for the Spurs than Artest does, too. Thomas is a solid defender who can check a good player in the post without much help and is a pretty rugged rebounder as well. Since all of this trade discussion began a week ago with worries about how to deal with LA and Phoenix, Thomas would certainly seem to be the more need-based move. Add to that his relatively consistent jumper from 15-18 feet and the fact that such ability would draw one big out of the lane to defend it and his value to the Spurs (without regard to his general value around the league or relative to all other players) would seem fairly obvious. On top of that, he's generally proven to be a good team guy who plays hard and is willing to mix things up and who has, among other things, Finals experience.

[Spurminator]

Jeezus, Spurm, not you again.

Aren't you afraid to pick a bone after being destroyed yesterday?

You alleged that the Mavs were built primarily through their drafts, yet come to find out, only Howard was drafted by them, as pointed out right away by yours truly.

The point about the Jazz is that you can be a playoff team for a very long time and then get back to the playoffs without rebuilding for many years.

You got destroyed yesterday and you know it.

But don't change the subject again. If you'd like more of the beatdown I handed you yesterday, post in that thread. You can start by telling me how the Mavs would have gotten Dirk or Nash without a high Lottery pick.

Now, back to the Jazz.

They became relevant again by drafting well (Williams, Kirilenko, Millsap, Brewer) and signing Boozer and Okur. If we go through a rebuilding phase I'm sure we'll be more active with trades and signings.

[FromWayDowntown]

Now, back to the Jazz.

They became relevant again by drafting well (Williams, Kirilenko, Millsap, Brewer) and signing Boozer and Okur. If we go through a rebuilding phase I'm sure we'll be more active with trades and signings.

I wish you luck with that argument. I've been trying all day to make those points, but it's as if 2003-2006 never happened to the Jazz.

[Ghost Writer]

LOL

You are hilarious, Spurm. I will concede that the Mavs needed a high pick to make the trade for Dirk, but you need to admit that the team got back to relevance almost exclusively through trades and free agent signings. We do ented it.

As for the Jazz, you are correct. I point to them as an example of how a proud franchise can be a long-term contender and get back to the playoffs without a long layoff through a solid mix of yes, the draft, but also trades and free agent signings.

[Holt's Cat]

Jeff Hornacek carried the Jazz to the 2004 NBA Paper Championship.

[Spurminator]

You are hilarious, Spurm. I will concede that the Mavs needed a high pick to make the trade for Dirk and Nash, but you need to admit that the team got back to relevance almost exclusively through trades and free agent signings. We do ented it.

Fixed.

[Holt's Cat]

Speaking of the Jazz, anyone remember back in the 90s when it was an automatic loss playing the Jazz at the Delta Center and they could always get a basket when they needed it? That's kinda like how the Spurs are today. Yet we need to blow up the Big 3.

[Ghost Writer]

Fixed.

D1ck... after I tried to meet you more than half way.

When I think of the Mavs, the word "homegrown" does not leap to mind.

[Ghost Writer]

Speaking of the Jazz, anyone remember back in the 90s when it was an automatic loss playing the Jazz at the Delta Center and they could always get a basket when they needed it? That's kinda like how the Spurs are today. Yet we need to blow up the Big 3.

Who wants to blow up the Big 3?!?

[Holt's Cat]

You do. At least you did in another thread.