Hey this is my first post, and I've been reading these boards for about a year now. Anyway, i wanted to see what you guys think of the Suns chances to get Artest. I think the suns should offer Bell and either Diaw or Barbosa or a First Rounder. The salaries match up and would give the Pacers another good defender/shooter in Bell and young talent in Diaw/Barbosa. Of course the Suns would be a favorite to take down the spurs especially when Amare returns and the suns have Nash/Jones/Artest/Marion/Amare. Hopefully the suns are making a run to getting an elite defender and some more muscle on the front court.
Considering it on just pure talent... maybe. But honestly, Bell has been playing really well lately and he's pretty near as good (maybe better) of a defender than Artest. And DiawI think has some insane potential under D'antoni. So as much as I'd like to have ronron's energy and skill on our team, when you factor in his off-court insanity (and it's not even fun/goofy/bizzare/extreme like rodmans, it's just retarded and destructive).. he's not worth it. Just my opinion. Now if we could offer up some picks (eh and maybe LB, but he's a lot of fun to watch and a fan favorite) and some other people, maybe.. but eh.
The Suns make a lot of sense for going after Artest. He puts them over the hump in the Pacific Division and gives them a player to guard Ginobili, if the Suns face the Spurs in the WCF again. Phoenix fills two of things Artest was complaining about in Indy. He gets to score more, and he doesn't have all the pressure on him. Suns have the pieces to offer for him as well. They have those two first rounders from the Joe Johnson trade. They can send Jones back to Indy since they need outside shooting and he's familiar with their system. Barbosa is another option to send over, and I could see the Pacers being interested in Jim Jackson as well. Jackson + Barbosa + 1st rounder should work to fit Artest's salary. Imagine this starting 5 ... Nash-Bell-Marion-Artest-Amare
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting shapecity:</div><div class="quote_post">Suns have the pieces to offer for him as well. They have those two first rounders from the Joe Johnson trade. They can send Jones back to Indy since they need outside shooting and he's familiar with their system. Barbosa is another option to send over, and I could see the Pacers being interested in Jim Jackson as well. Jackson + Barbosa + 1st rounder should work to fit Artest's salary. Imagine this starting 5 ... Nash-Bell-Marion-Artest-Amare</div> Yea that would be a really nice line-up. I wouldn't want Bell, Marion or Artest covering me on Defense. Bell, Marion, and Artest are 3 terrific defenders. I'm not sure I would want the Suns to give up Bell or Diaw though, both have been playing really well for them, as well Artest seems to want more touches than he is getting in the Pacer's offense while he is already scoring 19 ppg. Is a selfish player like that a good fit for such a nice flowing unselfish offense like the Suns? I think I just talked myself out of it. I think with their 3 picks they can afford to make a trade to truly solidify themselves. I think the Suns are a back-up PG, and good quality starting Center away from being a contender. Though once Amare comes back if he will play some center minutes, KT's @ C, Grant @ C, and Diaw @ C, I guess they can probably cover that weakness better once playoffs come around.
I can't believe that this is even being discussed. Just because Jerry is gone doesn't mean that this team will start bringing in head cases and thugs. This organization learned from drafting Dick Dumb*ss and his crack addiction in '91.
The front line is what needs addressing on this team. I see no reason for Artest to move his rather ample behind over to this team and ruin it. D'Antoni runs a tight ship, tighter than Carlisle's even, and I don't seem him wanting to sit for extended stretches just so D'Antoni et al. can get looks at different rotations. And no to mention, those looks are what put them behind the eight ball this season, and D'Antoni would be at it all over again. I suppose a coach of a team as good as this one can afford to bide his time, but to reshape his defensive mid-court is dangerous and potentially foolish when you regard the defensive ability he already has in his midst. As much as I would enjoy watching Artest clobber Manu in the playoffs and watch him get away with it, as he somehow manages to, I can't condone the shake-up of a ridiculously strong chemistry here in Phoenix. That said, perhaps D'Antoni is the man for the job in regards to Artest. Maybe having a more structured offense where Artest can be a major part of it would be good for him. And having Nash at the point to deal to him is a particularly good thing. At the same time, I would rather see a decent center in town, one that will make Amare a four, and Marion a three again.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Autolobotomist:</div><div class="quote_post">I can't believe that this is even being discussed. Just because Jerry is gone doesn't mean that this team will start bringing in head cases and thugs. This organization learned from drafting Dick Dumb*ss and his crack addiction in '91.</div> Gotta hand it to you on this one. It sure is hard to look past a history like Artest's. Again, why shake up a good thing? And one that'll get better on its own? As for Dumas, that guy was something, all that team need was Roy Tarpley and Chris Washburn to complete the trifecta. Or was Washburn dead by then? I forget. Heck, I don't think he's even dead now, but in the basketball world, he may as well be. If you want to hear some interesting stories on the effects of drugs on a basketball player, go to the Hall sometime and talk to Vinny Del Negro's dad about it, he has some gems, especially about Washburn, who was a teammate of Vinny's at NC State.
Are there even any legit centers to be had? KG is a bit out of our (salary) league I'd imagine..heh (and doesn't he prefer the pf spot like amare?)
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting unbeliever:</div><div class="quote_post">Are there even any legit centers to be had? KG is a bit out of our (salary) league I'd imagine..heh (and doesn't he prefer the pf spot like amare?)</div> KG really isn't a center, and he's WAY too pricey. Honestly, I'd be satisfied if they could get a guy like Sammy out in Philly, or Stro out of Houston, or imagine Camby joining this front line. They'd be pretty darn formidable then.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Squishface:</div><div class="quote_post">KG really isn't a center, and he's WAY too pricey. Honestly, I'd be satisfied if they could get a guy like Sammy out in Philly, or Stro out of Houston, or imagine Camby joining this front line. They'd be pretty darn formidable then.</div> Yeah that's what I figured. Any of those guys would be good I guess, but we talked about wanting to get them last year as well. I doubt we'll get lucky and be able to wrangle 'em this year either.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting unbeliever:</div><div class="quote_post">Yeah that's what I figured. Any of those guys would be good I guess, but we talked about wanting to get them last year as well. I doubt we'll get lucky and be able to wrangle 'em this year either.</div> Oh, absolutely agreed, but it would be nice.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting unbeliever:</div><div class="quote_post">Yeah that's what I figured. Any of those guys would be good I guess, but we talked about wanting to get them last year as well. I doubt we'll get lucky and be able to wrangle 'em this year either.</div> PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE !!! Take samuel dalambert off of our hands(our being the sixers),he really really sucks
Do we really want to deal with that headcase? I mean, we had Sir Charles but i don't think he was even as crazy as Artest...I mean Artest is simply nuts...he doesn't know what he wants. Now he wants to come back to Indiana!! LOL Hi i'm larry bird...i've won tons of championships...Ohh..you don't want to be on my team Artest? OK...GET THE HELL OUT!!!
