Start Battier or Artest?

[Dinky Bits]

All things considered, I think it's a legitimate question as to who will start. Obviously RonRon is the superior offensive player, but chemistry could be a concern with this group. Ron has stated that he has no qualms with coming off the bench, but is that really the best way to utilize his talents? It will bolster our bench, but Battier and Barry are solid options in their own right.

Personally, I feel like it's clear that Artest should start over Battier. This will help us get the best out of him, and it gives our stars some breathing room. It also strokes Ron's ego, which is something that should be kept in mind throughout the season. Less weight on YaoGrady's shoulders can't hurt health-wise, either. As I've said several times, I just have absolutely no confidence in having Alston and Shane start together. They're both inept offensive players, and don't contribute nearly enough, especially given the minutes they play. That said, we did win 22 in a row with that lineup, so I can't get too down on it.

I can see both working, although I see Artest making the bigger impact, and it provides the shakeup that we've needed for awhile. It also gets rid of one of our biggest weaknesses: The offensive drought.

[Jase]

I think Artest said that because he didn't want to create chemistry problems before the trade was even official (Waiting on Greene). In his heart of hearts, I doubt he would be content coming off the bench, considering the tier he considers himself to be on.

Even then, I would start Artest.

[BaYBaller]

Our starting line-up has never been a problem. We need offense from the bench so in an ideal world I would start Battier and bring Artest off the bench (even though I'd still give him 30+ minutes). I would rather have T-Mac and Yao play less minutes than having them on the floor with Artest to "lessen the burden."

[Guy986]

For the sake of everybody's sanity on this board, please please please start Artest. I know he said he doesn't mind coming off the bench as the 6th or 7th man but really who believes that. When the season rolls around Bill is gonna want his minutes, points, recognition and the starting role. I dont want another media circus surronding this team. Any misunderstanding would be blown waaaay outta proportion with Artest on this team. The problem with Bill is that he doesn't know when to shut up, he says the darnest thing infront of the media.

Just let him start, please...

[Jase]

Our starting line-up has never been a problem. We need offense from the bench so in an ideal world I would start Battier and bring Artest off the bench (even though I'd still give him 30+ minutes). I would rather have T-Mac and Yao play less minutes than having them on the floor with Artest to "lessen the burden."

I always thought you guys had a solid bench over the last few years. You've had solid backup guards for quite some time.

[McGrady2Head]

Start Artest, and theres no question about it

[Guy986]

Our starting line-up has never been a problem. We need offense from the bench so in an ideal world I would start Battier and bring Artest off the bench (even though I'd still give him 30+ minutes). I would rather have T-Mac and Yao play less minutes than having them on the floor with Artest to "lessen the burden."

I always thought you guys had a solid bench over the last few years. You've had solid backup guards for quite some time.

You obviously haven't been following this team for the past 3 or 4 years. Solid guards off the bench?

[CSRKing16]

Start Ron and Battier will be out sixth man.....he is our Posey....with Bjax gone looks like Steve Francis has a better shot

[Jase]

Perhaps I should rephrase. You've had solid guys who, for one reason or another, haven't put up numbers for you. Bobby Jackson, Mike James, Steve Francis, Bonzi Wells....those are good guys who have all put up numbers in the past few years, but they don't fill up the boxscore for the Rockets.

[Guy986]

Perhaps I should rephrase. You've had solid guys who, for one reason or another, haven't put up numbers for you. Bobby Jackson, Mike James, Steve Francis, Bonzi Wells....those are good guys who have all put up numbers in the past few years, but they don't fill up the boxscore for the Rockets.

Bobby Jackson
Mike James
Steve Francis
Luther Head

I'll give you Bonzi Wells. He's the only one who has performed well for us off the bench. (when he felt like playing)

[MaxRider]

yawn
why keep asking the same question?

START BOTH AND BENCH T-MAC

period

[Baller 24]

Start Artest due to the fact that he causes a bigger mis match on offense, and is a legit scoring option.

[Ribalding]

I'm still confused as to why everybody's assuming T-Mac can't play point forward.

He can handle the ball, he's already the best in-traffic passer/creator on the team, and that would allow all 3 of them (T-Mac, Battier, and Artest) to be on the floor at the same time, as starters. Plug in Yao at center and Scola at PF.

Done deal.

Right?

Wrong?

(Side note** : It's 5:13 on a Friday, so I'm pretty well juiced already. Feel free to ignore this.)

[franchise73]

Shane or Artest?

i thibk if shane is on the team and has not been traded for a point guard. We have to start Artest. We all know Shane is a great team player and doesnt mind not starting and playing his role. Also its obvious that both players are able to play excellent defence. (maybe artest is a little bet better)

But the difference is offence. Artest is a way better offensive player then Shane. Also he bringsa killer instaint to the game. We havnt had that on our team in a long time. Someone whoe just plays rouph and physical. Last i can think of was Kevin Willis.

Also look to see a lot of BOTH players playing together if we dont sign Landry and/or Deke. And if Steve "franchise" Francis doesnt become a solid backup point guard T-Mac might play point while Artest and Shane are playing the 2 and the 3.

All i know is yes this might be a problem, but common guys its a problem that every team LOVES to have . Were gonna have a lot of good matchups vs lakers and celtics. Ray Allen and Paul guarded by Artest and Shane. Or Kobe and Lamar. With that being said here is the awards for next year


Coach of the Year:- Rick Adelman

MVP:- Yao Ming

Defensive player of the year:- Ron Artest

Sixth man award:- Shane Battier

Finals MVP:- T-Mac

GM:- Daryl Morey

Doesnt that sound Perfect? lol

[moofs]

Bobby Jackson
Mike James
Steve Francis
Luther Head

An excellent rating system!

[Vator]

Perhaps I should rephrase. You've had solid guys who, for one reason or another, haven't put up numbers for you. Bobby Jackson, Mike James, Steve Francis, Bonzi Wells....those are good guys who have all put up numbers in the past few years, but they don't fill up the boxscore for the Rockets.

Bobby Jackson
Mike James
Steve Francis
Luther Head

I'll give you Bonzi Wells. He's the only one who has performed well for us off the bench. (when he felt like playing)

Hold on now, I'm as sick of Luther Head disappearing in the playoffs as the next guy, but he puts up decent numbers in the regular season. Especially when he filled in for T-Mac. No way he deserves 4 laughing faces when he beat out Francis and James for playing time. Perhaps the Jazz really are a bad matchup for him. The fact that they invited him to be on the USA Select team made me take a less emotional look at his game. People were pretty high on him after his first year and he had his moments last year as well. We all thought that he was pretty damn clutch until the playoffs rolled around. Too bad for him that he is a shooting guard trapped in a point guard's body and has absolutely no dribbling ability.

[Vator]

Oh and start Ron. Those 3 guys are going to have to learn to play together for us to be what we want to be. Screw that Battier has chemistry with them already idea. I don't care about them being out of sync at the beginning of the year. They have 82 games to get it together before the real show starts. Miami did it, Boston did it, and damnit, I expect us to as well! Battier has shown the ability to score more when he feels that the team needs him to. Perhaps he will feel more heavily relied upon in the 6th man role. Basically, he is going to do whatever the coaches ask him to do. I mean he did average 14 points per game as a rookie so if he could score then, I'm sure he can still score now if they told him to shoot more. I don't expect that to happen because I think they will just tell him to keep playing like he always does. Just saying, if offense is requested, he can assume a larger role. I love the luxury of having a guy with a great attitude who can do a little bit of everything coming off the bench for either T-Mac or Artest. He would solidify that second unit big time. He is like a coach on the floor.

Plus I don't want to tempt fate with Artest's ego.

[Transistor]

Thinking strictly from the mind of Adelman, this is all going to depend on what happens in training camp/pre-season. After all the off-season aquisitions last year I think a lot of us were surprised we had the exact same starting line-up as the year before, but Rafer and Chuck showed they were still a better fit than an out-of-shape Francis and a Scola that looked absolutely lost at times. Not saying this will happen to Artest but anything can happen.
My opinion aside (which is that Artest should be a starter) I wouldn't be surprised if Adelman begins the season with the same starting line-up.

[Guy986]

Perhaps I should rephrase. You've had solid guys who, for one reason or another, haven't put up numbers for you. Bobby Jackson, Mike James, Steve Francis, Bonzi Wells....those are good guys who have all put up numbers in the past few years, but they don't fill up the boxscore for the Rockets.

Bobby Jackson
Mike James
Steve Francis
Luther Head

I'll give you Bonzi Wells. He's the only one who has performed well for us off the bench. (when he felt like playing)

Hold on now, I'm as sick of Luther Head disappearing in the playoffs as the next guy, but he puts up decent numbers in the regular season. Especially when he filled in for T-Mac. No way he deserves 4 laughing faces when he beat out Francis and James for playing time. Perhaps the Jazz really are a bad matchup for him. The fact that they invited him to be on the USA Select team made me take a less emotional look at his game. People were pretty high on him after his first year and he had his moments last year as well. We all thought that he was pretty damn clutch until the playoffs rolled around. Too bad for him that he is a shooting guard trapped in a point guard's body and has absolutely no dribbling ability.

He gets 4 laughing faces for deceiving us in the regular season and then disappears in the playoffs time and time again. He's toyed with my emotion one too many times. I've given up on him. Atleast Steve, MJ and Bjax consistenly suk so no expectation there.

4 laughing faces for the worst playoff performer in the history of the league is about right.

[2fast4u]

if artest comes off the bench for us. he will definitely win 6th man award 100%