Ron Artest

[Smills91]

Watching the Rockets tonight...I miss Ron. Anyone who thinks we're better off without him is wrong. The guy is a damn GREAT basketball player.

[KingInExile]

He may be a great player, but the team is way better off in the long run without him. Ron is incompatible with real rebuilding.

[bigdave01]

I just wish we could have gotten more for him. I hope Donte Greene pans out.

[pillwenney]

We're certainly not better off without him in terms of actually winning, but given the circumstances last summer, trading him was certainly the right thing to do, and we got a decent return.

But I think it's nice that those of us who were behind him are still behind him. Often fans will often praise a player when he's on their team and then throw him under the bus when they trade him, but I don't intend to do that. Ron was a great player for us who deserves all the praise he can get. For the boneheaded plays he did make (not as many as some would have you believe) the guy always played his heart out, and I'll always root for him. I was really thrilled to see him playing so well tonight.

[Smills91]

We're certainly not better off without him in terms of actually winning, but given the circumstances last summer, trading him was certainly the right thing to do, and we got a decent return.

But I think it's nice that those of us who were behind him are still behind him. Often fans will often praise a player when he's on their team and then throw him under the bus when they trade him, but I don't intend to do that. Ron was a great player for us who deserves all the praise he can get. For the boneheaded plays he did make (not as many as some would have you believe) the guy always played his heart out, and I'll always root for him. I was really thrilled to see him playing so well tonight.

Totally agree, he's one of the few players who cares about winning/losing and he lays it out every time he's on the court whether its exhibition, regular season or playoffs his intensity level is ALWAYS maxed out. I'll always cheer for Ron because he's genuine.

[Jalfa]

At first I was a bit worried that Ron wouldn't fit with Ming and McGrady, but I'm glad that it seems not to be a problem. Houston has most definitely become my second favourite team, what with having Rick at the helm (also, I like Luis Scola).

BTW, what is the protection on that pick of their's that the Kings are getting this year, again?

[Ballings7]

Well said, Smills and mitch

That game last night basically exemplified why I'm such a big fan of Ron Artest

Aaron Brooks is a bit wild, but damn he's fun to watch, and I continue to just love Chuck Hayes as a tough role-playing big man

Really good team win by Houston

[pillwenney]

At first I was a bit worried that Ron wouldn't fit with Ming and McGrady, but I'm glad that it seems not to be a problem. Houston has most definitely become my second favourite team, what with having Rick at the helm (also, I like Luis Scola).

BTW, what is the protection on that pick of their's that the Kings are getting this year, again?

I'm not sure, but I don't know if it will really matter. It will probably be in the early 20's at the highest.

That is of course, unless Houston gets decimated by injuries, which is probably what you're getting at. Which is a possibility--especially if Rick never learns his lesson that some guys just shouldn't play a ton of minutes (most specifically with Yao with Houston). He made the same mistake with Brad every year (and to be fair, so did Muss and Theus), and he looks to be making it now with Yao. I think that what Houston really needs to do is trade Battier for a really rock solid backup center that can keep Yao's minutes around 30 per game. They now have two other big offensive weapons, so that wouldn't be too hard to do.

[ICMTM]

John Salmons is the happiest guy now that Ron is gone! I'm happy for Ron because he's playing for a winning team, and if the Rockets stay healthy I find it hard to say they won't be playing deep in the playoffs.

I am a big Artest guy but Smills in terms of "fit" he didn't. If Ron were here I think it's harder to sit Mikki Moore and Brad (when he returns) because Ron would still be our best player, and you can make an argument his supporting cast would be better with other vets. Nobody wants to see the vets!

[Cruel_Ruin]

I'm glad Ron has moved on. Best situation for everyone, now we can really get rebuilding underway.

[Jalfa]

At first I was a bit worried that Ron wouldn't fit with Ming and McGrady, but I'm glad that it seems not to be a problem. Houston has most definitely become my second favourite team, what with having Rick at the helm (also, I like Luis Scola).

BTW, what is the protection on that pick of their's that the Kings are getting this year, again?

I'm not sure, but I don't know if it will really matter. It will probably be in the early 20's at the highest.

That is of course, unless Houston gets decimated by injuries, which is probably what you're getting at. Which is a possibility--especially if Rick never learns his lesson that some guys just shouldn't play a ton of minutes (most specifically with Yao with Houston). He made the same mistake with Brad every year (and to be fair, so did Muss and Theus), and he looks to be making it now with Yao. I think that what Houston really needs to do is trade Battier for a really rock solid backup center that can keep Yao's minutes around 30 per game. They now have two other big offensive weapons, so that wouldn't be too hard to do.

Yup. It's very unlikely, seeing that Houston, by now, is far too deep to not make the playoffs, but stranger things have happened. And another lottery pick would come in very handy...

[mobiuseinz]

Houston became my 2nd fav team when they landed Ron, also including Rick Adelman.

I'll surely miss Ron, and I was kinda sad when Cheryl Miller talked to him at half-time... especially sicne he wore another uniform... but had we kept him, he would have regressed our youth movement, and a chance at a high lotto pick. I'm happy for him that he has a chance to win the Championship, like I was happy for C-Webb when he went to Detroit.

damn, actually seeing the game last night and Adelman on the sideline, and then seeing Webb in the studio.. made me really nostalgic.

[Alex_De_Large]

For a Rockets fan is great to have RA and Ron in the team because they were 2 of my favorites before coming. We need him more than the Kings right now, i hope the Kings can turn out another TrailBlazer team, atm Kmart and Hawes are the first pieces.

[Ballings7]

I think Ailene Voison may well of drank herself to sleep at the sights of Ron kicking ass on Thursday night