Ron Artest?

[jezmund]

Supposedly the Pacers are shopping Ron Artest. I know this has something to do with his attitude b/c as a player he has done a lot for them. Would you guys do this deal? (Only if Artest's attitude checked out OK with BK)

JT/#17 for Artest

Build around....

Jameer Nelson

Ron Artest

Kenyon Martin

That is one tough way to start rebuilding.... we would just need a scorer at SG. Kobe? hahha

Nelson/Kobe/Artest/Martin/???

[TheDude]

no. i think we could get more for jt than that...

[RLHawk]

I think that is a little too much for Ron Artest, but I like the idea.

Nelson/Daniels(FA)/Artest/Martin(FA)/Prz

Doesn't exactly lead to the run and gun Billy Knight wants, but could be a pretty good start.

[jezmund]

I guess when I compare JT to Artest, I look at the fact that Artest could put up the same #'s JT could but he would do it on a winning team. Maybe Indiana's assistant Mike Brown is a leader for the job. We'd become a defensive team which would be good IMO. If we are gonna win in the Eastern Conference, we have to be able to play against Detroit, Indiana and NJ. I think Artest is a better 'basketball' player than JT so I just thought I'd throw the pick in there. If we could get Artest for just JT, that would be great.

[Dukegotgame]

wow ron artest is wayyy more valuable than JT. He is a great all around game, and imagine pairing him with diaw on defense. We could have two guys who lock down anyone on the opposing team. Plus we would finally have a person with attitude that won't take ****

[Weez]

If they'd take that deal, JT/17 for Artest, I'd be all over it.

[Traceman]

I've been telling you guys that Artest is CRAZY for years. Look at this excerpt taken from the NY Daily News:

"The Pacers are trying desperately to trade Artest, a St. John's product from Queensbridge, who suffered several meltdowns in the playoffs. According to a league source, the Pacers spent an hour trying to convince Artest to get on the team plane after their Game 4 loss at Miami in the second round. Artest wanted to remain in Miami with his wife before finally boarding the plane.

In final minutes of the Pacers' Game 6 loss to Detroit, Artest picked up a costly flagrant foul when he forearmed Richard Hamilton in the face. After the series, Artest skipped his exit interview with Larry Bird."

All that being said, Artest is a terrific talent and if he wasn't crazy, JT/#17 for Artest is MORE than fair. I just don't know that I would want to rebuild around a crazy man. I'll tell you one thing though. I'd MUCH rather do that than trade JT for Harpring/#14. Neither Harpring nor #14 are likely to ever be All Stars and although Artest is crazy, he is an All Star.