Would you include Battier in S&T for Artest?

[moofs]

Here's a scarier proposition for you. What if he IS thinking when he opens his mouth.

[sweet_jesus]

Crazy is as crazy does . . .

Better that he has a year to think about where he wants to go.

I feel sorry for the team that signs him next year. The ink might not even be dry when he "suddenly" decides he's going to be a rapper or competes for the starting WR job in the NFL or wrestles a yak

[Optimism Prime]

I'll sign Mickael Vick and Mike Tyson if they help us win games.

I am quite relieved you're not our GM.

[HTown_TMac]

I'll sign Mickael Vick and Mike Tyson if they help us win games.

I am quite relieved you're not our GM.

I know because Micheal Vick will have dogs burried all around the Toyota Center. And Mike Tyson would be trying to eat Deke's Elbow once it catches him in practice.. We Need a Kimbo on the team..

[moofs]

(They don't seem to be interested in Maggette. You might have heard something about them chasing Brent Barry and Carl Landry instead. Artest could be a mid-season target for many teams, but would have to be viewed as a short-term option heading into free agency. He would be a lousy fit, but his strengths are so extreme that 'fit' would not be an issue if they were willing to overlook his eccentricities and unpredictability. -- Jonathan)

[Dinky Bits]

Artest is a risk that we should all be willing to take. He could be the missing piece to make us actual contenders, instead of the team that will be happy just to get out of the first round. We sure as hell aren't winning a title with the roster we have now, and probably won't get far in the playoffs. The one year rental scenario could be a great way to gauge how he's going to fit in without getting tied to him long term. That said, I doubt he does anything too stupid in his contract year.

Either way, we need to upgrade the starting lineup. Rafer and Shane are way too inconsistent to play big minutes together. I remember saying last season that we needed to get more scoring punch with Scola, and people were calling for my balls. Once we finally started him, we went on the second greatest winning streak in NBA history. You can't rely on Battier and Rafer for consistent production on offense.

[moofs]

Yer, I was one of the guys wanting Scola to keep coming off the bench. Pretty sure I was wrong on that, although we didn't have Landry playing much at the time either and I can't quite remember the actual timeline. Either way, win some lose some.

[BlueLancerEvo]

maybe ron ron would come to houston for the opportunity to do a screwed and chopped album..

[Optimism Prime]

Artest is a risk that we should all be willing to take. He could be the missing piece to make us actual contenders, instead of the team that will be happy just to get out of the first round. We sure as hell aren't winning a title with the roster we have now, and probably won't get far in the playoffs. The one year rental scenario could be a great way to gauge how he's going to fit in without getting tied to him long term. That said, I doubt he does anything too stupid in his contract year.

Either way, we need to upgrade the starting lineup. Rafer and Shane are way too inconsistent to play big minutes together. I remember saying last season that we needed to get more scoring punch with Scola, and people were calling for my balls. Once we finally started him, we went on the second greatest winning streak in NBA history. You can't rely on Battier and Rafer for consistent production on offense.

How well have our rentals with Bonzi and Francis worked out? And we'd be paying a LOT more for Artest than either of those guys--we got them on the cheap so it was a low-risk opportunity.

Nothing involving Artest can ever be low-risk.

[Dinky Bits]

Funny you should mention them, since Bonzchise was also expected to "ruin the team chemistry" and demand trades, pout, and all of that good stuff, but they were both fine.

Bonzi played great for us when he actually got minutes. I'd be happy to have him back, actually. Francis' role remains to be seen, but he played okay last year in a small sample so it can't hurt to give him another shot. If he really is done, we can package him in a trade, anyway.

If we get Artest for a year, the risk really isn't that great. Getting him on a one year rental might actually work in our favor, since he'll be on his best behavior to get his big payday. If he wants to screw us over, then he'll be screwing himself over in the process.

[Texas Longhorns]

Even though Battier is a class citizen and a great competitor, nobody seems to respect his game and his defense. I would take Artest because he is similar to Battier on defense and just a way better offensive player, one that we really need.

[jove9]

Wait. Did you just say no one respects Battier's defense?

I see it, but I can't believe it.

[A.J.]

Even though Battier is a class citizen and a great competitor, nobody seems to respect his game and his defense. I would take Artest because he is similar to Battier on defense and just a way better offensive player, one that we really need.

I respect his game and defense, and Van Gundy does too.

[Optimism Prime]

Funny you should mention them, since Bonzchise was also expected to "ruin the team chemistry" and demand trades, pout, and all of that good stuff, but they were both fine.

Bonzi played great for us when he actually got minutes. I'd be happy to have him back, actually. Francis' role remains to be seen, but he played okay last year in a small sample so it can't hurt to give him another shot. If he really is done, we can package him in a trade, anyway.

If we get Artest for a year, the risk really isn't that great. Getting him on a one year rental might actually work in our favor, since he'll be on his best behavior to get his big payday. If he wants to screw us over, then he'll be screwing himself over in the process.

You mean the same Bonzi who showed up out of shape, said "they're only paying me a tenth of what I'm worth, I'll only give them a tenth of what I can", was put on the inactive list to get his conditioning back, was told to not come to practices, skipped a road trip, and took himself off the team from that point forward, including the playoffs? Yeah, he was fine.

Edit before anyone jumps on me: yes, I know that all happened under JVG and not Adelman--but still--the guy wore out his welcome. I'm glad he's gone.

[Dinky Bits]

He's always played great under Adelman, and there's absolutely no reason to think he won't continue to produce should he come back.

Don't let your dislike for the guy blind you from the facts.

[Optimism Prime]

He's always played great under Adelman, and there's absolutely no reason to think he won't continue to produce should he come back.

Don't let your dislike for the guy blind you from the facts.

I hardly think I'm the one being blinded here. I even said that all his misbehavior happened under JVG.

And yet... it was Adelman who shipped him off. Interesting.

[Dinky Bits]

Actually, it was Morey who shipped him off to get rid of Mike James' contract, but who's keeping track.