<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">EL SEGUNDO - The Lakers will reach the midway point of their inconsistent season tonight when they play the Toronto Raptors at Staples Center, and it has become clear to Coach Phil Jackson that his team is another quality player away from making a strong push in the Western Conference. Jackson and the Lakers have a strong interest in Ron Artest, the controversial swingman whom the Pacers have placed on their inactive list while they look to trade him, but no deal appears in place with the Lakers right now. Reportedly, the Lakers aren't willing to part with rookie center Andrew Bynum or Lamar Odom to make a deal work for Artest. Artest has been in Los Angeles and has attended two Lakers games. The Pacers placed Artest on the inactive list Dec. 12 after the volatile forward asked to be traded and later rescinded his request. The Pacers have been adamant about sending Artest to the Western Conference, and the Lakers have been one of several teams mentioned. Jackson talked about his interest in Artest after practice Saturday. "We know there are risks, rewards in this type of action," Jackson said. "We think the rewards are great for our team. In our regard, we're really like a step away from really stepping in to another level of play in this league. We're a good team right now, but we're not consistent. His addition might make us consistent." Jackson isn't concerned about Artest's behavior issues. Jackson coached Dennis Rodman with the Chicago Bulls and said, like with Rodman, a team has to make some allowances for a player like Artest. Jackson said if the Lakers acquired Artest, his biggest challenge would be learning the triangle offense. But Jackson said his congenial group of players would be willing to accept Artest. Artest played AAU basketball with Odom in New York, and Kobe Bryant has said he would be open to having Artest as a teammate. The trading deadline is Feb. 23, and Jackson said the Pacers may wait until then to do a deal or they may not do one at all. "It's obvious they haven't gotten the right mix," Jackson said. "They have the card, and they can hold it until the end of the trading deadline. Even then, they can ask Ronnie to 'come back and play for us.' Ultimately they could do that if they wanted to, I suppose. So they kind of have to look and see what they really want to get out of this and what's the appropriate measure for them." Halfway There The Lakers play Game 41 of their 82-game schedule tonight against Toronto and are 21-19, a record Jackson says should be better. The Lakers have lost their past two games, one against Sacramento in overtime that they blew because of late-game ineptness. "We're still here learning the process as a basketball team, and I think that we're doing a good job staying aggressive on what we're trying to do and that's get into the playoffs," Jackson said. "That's our ultimate goal. We have to remember what our goal is. We'd like to be 10 (games) over .500. We're not. We're sitting here in a position if we can reach 10 over .500 at season's end, we'll be happy." </div> http://www.pe.com/sports/basketball/lakers...22.3d9332c.html
Kobe Scored 81.........just had to put it in this thread because it mentioned the Raptors..............but besides that..............getting Artest would make tremendous advances towards the goals the Laker franchise is trying to achieve. However, I'm still a bit skeptical as to how Artest would behave.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">I'm still a bit skeptical as to how Artest would behave</div> I completely agree with you, but we've all seen what Jackson did with Rodman. The man married himself for christsake. Artest is, as scoop said, one of the most selfish athletes in sports, but I think there are enough endorsements and connections (rap album) in LA to make Artest happy with the contract he has. If the Lakers had Smush Kobe Artest Lamar Mihm They could beat the spurs. Honestly...with Artest the Lakers would jump up into the conversation with Spurs and Pistons. They wouldn't have the legitmacy of those 2 just because of their record pre-artest, but they would be legitimate contenders.
drop the whole roster and let the lakers play 2 on 5. let artest get 25 a game and kobe 75. lol but really, the lakers need artest bad. I f they got ron they could make history maybe another back to back after this season. If u put the two most hardworking guys on the same team something special is bound to happen.
man great article, and just imagine having a guy, in addition, to put up 20+ ponts every night... JESUS... ãround 55 points right there. FROM TWO PLAYERS.
I just don't understand the infatuation with Lamar Odom. Everytime the rumors circulate he does just enough, to make people think twice by getting a near triple double. Then when the trade talk cools off, he goes back into a funk. What I don't like about Odom is the fact he has no fire in his game. After blowing the game in Sacramento you would think he'd want to make ammends against the Suns. He got off to a great start 10/10/4 in the first half, and the Lakers had a chance to win. Then the other Lamar shows up in the second half and goes 5/2/0 the rest of the game and the Suns blow the Lakers away. The Lakers team isn't talented or deep enough to deal with Odom's heckle and jeckle act. He has to show up on both ends of the court EVERY game for the Lakers. At $11Million a season he owes the Lakers a lot more.
After the recent trade rejection by Artest to the Kings, his value is lower than ever. Seeing that the Pacers were willing to trade him for Peja who will likely opt out to be a free agent in the offseason, the Lakers must act fast if we are still interested. His value couldn't be lower, and after the latest incident it might be very realistic for us to be able to land him for George, Slava + picks. This will also make it much easier for other teams to try to aquire him, however I'm guessing he has scared some away with even more controversy. I wouldn't take a risk for Artest with a key piece of any team, but I'm sure many teams are still willing to trade expiring contracts and picks for him. The question is, who would Artest PLAY for? My guess is that he has his "label" in mind and will only be willing to play for big cities. Although the Clippers were a contender in the Artest Sweepstakes earlier in the season, I don't think they are willing to gamble with any of their core pieces anymore. I believe he will either end up with the Lakers or Knicks when this is all said and done.
Does anyone have ESPN insider? They mentioned Artest to LA but I can't read it since I don't have the subscription... Your right, we could realistically get him for nothing right now, and I think that the Lakers are still interested. Phil is very confident in his coaching abilities, and he's handled big ego's, and weirder minds (rodman) I think he's pretty confident in his ability to coach this guy into a winner. As for Kobe, he doesn't care what his teammates do as long as they bring it on the court. He see's that in Artest. Artest is a guy that has more screws loose than I can count, but he works hard and it show's in games. The entire world know's that Artest has the ability to be Kobe's pippen (both offense and defense) and that with Lamar running the offense Cwebb style from the post, the Lakers would be a VERY dangerous team.
Ron Artest told BSPN that he wouldnt mind playing for the kings. He wouldnt mind playing for anyone. We are just awaiting the trade to be approved by Kings Management.
Kings management wants to talk to him first to see what his feelings are. This completely lies in Ron's hands and I hope he see's that there is a bigger chance of winning, bigger spotlight, and WAY more money in LA.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting ilive4ball:</div><div class="quote_post">Does anyone have ESPN insider? They mentioned Artest to LA but I can't read it since I don't have the subscription... Your right, we could realistically get him for nothing right now, and I think that the Lakers are still interested. Phil is very confident in his coaching abilities, and he's handled big ego's, and weirder minds (rodman) I think he's pretty confident in his ability to coach this guy into a winner. As for Kobe, he doesn't care what his teammates do as long as they bring it on the court. He see's that in Artest. Artest is a guy that has more screws loose than I can count, but he works hard and it show's in games. The entire world know's that Artest has the ability to be Kobe's pippen (both offense and defense) and that with Lamar running the offense Cwebb style from the post, the Lakers would be a VERY dangerous team.</div> I posted the article in this thread, it's actually from the Indy Star ... Link
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The trade that almost wasn't is finally happening. The Kings and Pacers have both signed off on a deal that will send Ron Artest to Sacramento and Peja Stojakovic to Indiana, the Pacers announced Thursday. "Obviously, we're very happy about getting a player of his caliber," said Larry Bird, President of Basketball Operations for Indiana. "[Peja's] one of the best shooters in the league and we definitely feel he can come in and help us right away. We think he'll fit in with our team because he'll help spread the floor and give our big men better opportunities to score." ESPN's Stephen A. Smith reports that Artest is boarding a plane for Boston and he will be in a Kings uniform Friday night against the Celtics.</div> Artest is a King. Which of these teams Denver, Lakers, Clippers, Suns, Warriors Kings isn't making it? The playoff picture in the west and specifically the pacific division just got a whole lot crazier. BTW- Laker fans...let's spare ourselves the pain of thinking what could have been had we gotten Artest, and just focus on the peices we do have.
Wait .... DAMN YOU MITCH! DAMN YOU! Just put this into perspective on the playoff picture in the Pacific Division heading into the 2nd half of the season. Suns will get back Amare Stoudemire Kings just landed Ron Artest Clippers will get back Corey Maggette Lakers signed Ronny Turiaf Warriors have done nothing Right now I'd have to say the Warriors are in a bad spot. Spurs, Suns, Mavs, Grizzlies are locks to make the playoffs Then you have Denver, Minny, Utah fighting for the #3 seed. I think both Denver and Utah make it, especially if Camby and now Boozer come back and stay healthy. This leaves the Kings, Hornets, Clippers, Warriors, TWolves, and Lakers fighting for two spots. I'm confident the Lakers will make the playoffs, but the Kings and Artest really hurt our chances at getting that coveted 6th seed. I might even consider the Kings to be a lock to make the post season at this point with Artest and also Bonzi returning soon.
We can't be so sure that Artest is going to do wonders for the Kings. How's he going to function with Bonzi, Miller, or even Rick A. Just because they got Artest, doesn't mean they are going to be strong elites.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting YourNewChef:</div><div class="quote_post">We can't be so sure that Artest is going to do wonders for the Kings. How's he going to function with Bonzi, Miller, or even Rick A. Just because they got Artest, doesn't mean they are going to be strong elites.</div> Here's a few reasons why Artest will work in Sacramento... 1) He's played with Brad Miller before, and they played well together 2) He automatically improves the Kings defense 3) He's more consistent than Peja on a nightly basis 4) Rick Adelman has coached perceived headcases successfully before (Jerome Kersey, Rod Strickland, Latrell Sprewell, Chris Webber) 5) Geoff Petrie is one of the best GMs in the business 6) The Maloofs are one of the best owners in the business and have A LOT of resources to keep Artest on his best behavior And to be honest, I don't think Artest is as crazy as the media makes him out to be. It's one of the reasons why I wasn't worried if he ended up as a Laker. Artest has that competitive fire that is contagious and teammates feed off of. A lot of his Pacer teammates still defend him to this day. He can't be all that bad.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting ilive4ball:</div><div class="quote_post"> Smush Kobe Artest Lamar Mihm </div> Just adding Artest doesn't put the Lakers on same levels as the Spurs. You are not getting Artest for free. You'll also be sending players. I dont think Artest is THAT good so that adding him puts lakers past the spurs.
