Artest move finally makes sense

[mmyers37]

^ Sure he should make less money, but we traded for the contract and there's nothing we can do about it right now.

Nothing? That's what trading for expiring contracts is all about.

[J Rob]

Obviously that's ideal. But you gotta find a taker.

Remember, if you think 13 mil is a lot to pay for rebounds, so do a lot of teams.

[slifersd]

y ship out Odom? he's going to be a perfect fit now, he can play his game which is facilitating the offense and getting rebounds

Odom is not the perfect triangle offense player. Everyone thought he was because he is a good passer but his inability to stay focused in games, as well as his defeciencies on defense and jumpshots made him into the bust that he is today. With two big men to throw the ball to, Kobe is going to do a lot of the creating and a bit less scoring than usual. He will transform from a pure scorer who drops 40 every night to a triple double waiting to happen every night. Odom playing at SF will mean he has to defend the perimeter well, which he doesn't do; and he has to knock down open jumpshots, which he can't. His rebounding skills are useless considering we have two seven footers grabbing the boards now. As for the facilitator role, we tired that when his second year here, for some reason, he couldn't handle that job either. The future for Odom is either go to the bench or shipped off to somewhere else. Like Kwame Brown, Laker fans have ran out of patience with him.

[El Hardee]

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All dynasty's are not built around our 3-peat, unless your 18 or so. Lets look at the Showtime era or even Bird's Celtics. Both squads had madd fire power. Lakers had Magic,Worthy,KAJ,Green all who were all stars at one point, The C's had 4 HOF'ers in their frontcourt alone. If you have a chance to add talent you do it. I think all we need is a Battier type but if you get a shot at an all star on the cheap you gotta take it. To all the kids out there, the 3 peat was NOT the 1st NBA dynasty, .

The Lakers had 3 stars: Magic (a pass first pg), Worthy (a guy who was only about playoff success), and the great KAJ.

You question my basketball knowledge and then list AC Green as a star?

The Celtics had 3 main scoring options, just like we do now. Bill Walton was past his prime and understood his role as the sixth man.

Anyway, you're completely misunderstanding what I'm saying.

I'm not talking about not adding firepower.

I'm talking about adding players that are okay with not being the first, second, third, or even fourth option.

Every great team like the Lakers, Celtics, Bulls, had plenty of firepower outside of their 2 or 3 main stars.

However, those players understood their role and were willing to do the other things it takes to win.

You cannot for a fact say Artest is willing to be the 4th player on this team (a la Bruce Bowen, Dennis Green, Michael Cooper, etc.).

The dude kicked himself out of Indiana where he was the 2nd option behind O'neal.

Its even been documented how he causes the Kings offense to become stagnant because of his selfishness.

I'm all for adding great players, but like I said, players that are willing to be smaller puzzle pieces...because the big pieces are already in place.

I'll take Odom's unselfishness, heart, and chemistry over Ron Artest's defense.

Yes I do question your bball knowledge, you said Worthy only performed in the playoffs? What a joke, also AC did play in a All Star game when on the Lakes. We've had 4 Lakes on all-star teams before. Magic,Kareem,A.C., Worthy. And Walton did win 6th man of the year on the C's so your hoops cred is shot with me.

[Kr3w]

Odom experiment has been in effect for almost 4 seasons now, and look at how it's been. A player that is more specialized in certain areas such as Battier, as people have suggested, is a better option.

[J Rob]

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Yes I do question your bball knowledge, you said Worthy only performed in the playoffs? What a joke, also AC did play in a All Star game when on the Lakes. We've had 4 Lakes on all-star teams before. Magic,Kareem,A.C., Worthy. And Walton did win 6th man of the year on the C's so your hoops cred is shot with me.

Lol, whatever shall I do without your omniscient approval?

Again, you're completely overlooking the point I'm trying to make.

You're getting distracted by the little things so I suggest you go back and reread before you get hung up on minute details.


But just so you're clear:

1. I was complimenting Worthy by saying he lived for the playoffs and didn't care about regular season statistics. That made him a great star to put around 2 superstars. He could sacrifice his game for the greatness of the team.

2. Kareem retired at the end of the 89 season. AC Green was an all-star in 1990 (12.9 points, 8.7 rebounds, 47%).
He was part of 2 of the 5 showtime championships and averaged 11 and 8 in those 2 championship seasons. Great role player but hardly a star.

3. I acknowledged Walton was their 6th man. That was his role and he filled it well...so I guess I fail to see your point.


Anyway, back to Artest...

[MikeyMike]

Artest, FTW!

[Ballings7]

Artest being selfish is just wrong. Watching the guy consistently over the years, especially with the Kings, his passing ability and efforts are above-average and consistent, respectively. He usually passes out of double teams. His play-making is the most overlooked and underrated part of his game, in mulitple ways of doing so, too.

Sure, at times he'll take bad shots, but they're in a small amount, and has noticably improved from earlier in his career there. I've come away with it's a negative that happens less than the positives, and gets exaggerated.

I know a lot of people have a different knowledge amount on his play, but I can't deny what I've seen with consistency for awhile.

Anyway, Artest for the Lakers? I don't see the room for him. Odom's still going to be there, and I don't know if Ron wants to come off the bench, or if you guys would want Odom coming off the bench. Also could Artest even be signed by you guys because of the lux tax? Then Walton and/or Ariza would be the third SFs on the bench. So they'd have significantly reduced roles, if one of them isn't moved. Even so, the one left would have a limited role.

It's questionable at best, and I'd sway to Ron not signing. And I doubt he's traded to the Lakers. Don't quite see Odom being dealt in general, so Ron can come in and replace him, either. Odom to the Kings for Ron? I don't know, even so, there's still the above-section mentioned factors and questions.

Overall, I think I would just stick with Odom, or makes a less significant addition. Or just keep Ariza and have him work on his shot. With Odom, he can now can just be a do some of everything team-guy. Which, like has been said, is his best fit rather than a third/2nd option (before). The chemistry and continuity for you guys would be easier from now into next season, without getting Artest. No significant spending, quite possibly too.

Because of the situation of the Lakers, if Ron did become a Laker, I think Ron would accept having a lesser role on the team, because of who else is on the team, and what is being aimed for. Being under Phil, too, and Ron being in the middle of his prime now, would add to this.

I also don't think Ron would have any serious issues, again, being under PJ, and the level the Lakers would be at. Especially considering Ron's had just one incident since the brawl. Which was an off the court, personal situation with his wife, and that has been fixed for awhile now. As has been published last year. Going over to Africa this summer, also really expanded his perspective on things in general, from what was said in various interviews/articles. His sick daughter, also I think has contributed in that, similarily.

The dog(s) incident wasn't his fault, it was the care-takers he had who neglected them, and that was reported last year.

I think going to the Spurs, or Mavericks (Howard would have to move to the two, not sure about coming off the bench, again) is more likely than the Lakers. Miami seems unlikely, he'll be taking a gamble and settling for less of a team going there. Shaq's not the same player he was with the Heat earlier, even when he'd be healthy again. Wade will be recovered from injuries, but has to get back to his previous form, and Shaq is a noticable part of that. New York? I don't think so, despite the casual, obvious connection for him. The overall fit and team situation isn't there.

I follow and watch the Kings regularily, so am just putting out there what I've learned.

[Rox_Nix_Nox]

This is what i've been saying get his crazy ass in here. To gamble on him the time is now. He's better than odom. Even though is our 4th option if we make it to the finals and somehow the ball lands in his hands are you going to be able to trust Him? i wont.