Ron Artest to Houston for Donte Greene, Bobby Jackson, 2009 first round pick, and $1M. Dern, that's another Western team that just got better and probably solidified a high spot in the playoff seedings. Then again maybe that's good for the Warriors because the Rockets were going to be a playoff team anyway and now Sacto should be 100% out of the playoff picture. I never thought he looked right in a Kings uniform anyway.
I wonder how he fits into the starting lineup. It seems to me that Artest would have made a bigger impact on the Lakers or a team that was lacking a solid SF that can play D.
I've been waiting for someone to post this on the W's forum so that I can say what a bad idea I think this is. Well, I shouldn't say bad idea, I don't think it makes them any worse, but I also don't think it makes them any closer to a championship. I would definately rather have Battier than Artest starting at the 3 for that team. I think Artest will just take shots away from T-Mac and Yao and you don't need two premier lockdown perimeter defenders because most teams do not have 2 offensive stars at the wings. I like Artest, I'd much rather have him than Magette on the W's, but this move did nothing to address their areas of concern. They still don't have a point, they're still thin behind Yao, and they have depth but no one of any real importance at PF. I still see them as a 5 or even 6 seed and an injury to Yao/T-Mac can still knock them out of the playoffs. Even if everyone stays healthy, they won' t make it out of the first round. Not worth giving up 2 first round picks (Green and 09 1st) IMO.
The Rockets are going to be a throwback to the Pistons. I'd hate to have to watch this team everynight, but they're going to beat some teams up. I don't understand how this is a horrible trade. The Rockets traded away a pick and ascrub for a player that makes them instant contenders. He fits their system perfectly.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CohanHater @ Jul 30 2008, 06:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>The Rockets are going to be a throwback to the Pistons. I'd hate to have to watch this team everynight, but they're going to beat some teams up. I don't understand how this is a horrible trade. The Rockets traded away a pick and ascrub for a player that makes them instant contenders. He fits their system perfectly.</div> You think this makes them contenders? I think the health of Yao and T-Mac have always been the key to success for them and I don't think this trade changes that. Don't forget that they had to go on a 22 game win streak or something like that to get a 5 seed. I don't think they were that close to begin with (though certainly closer than the W's for next year) and I don't think Artest is that much of difference maker, especially considering they were already solid at the 3. At this point I would not trade the current W's roster for theirs and I wouldn't even think about it.
I thought the Rockets also gave up Donte Green, the 1st rounder from this year. If its just Jackson and a pick, no big deal. Greene has a chance to be a star, at least that's what I've read. Artest and Battier in the front court could make things tough for the other team. Artest as the lockdown defender on the other team's best scorer could be huge, so long as he knows TMac and Yao get the shots. Still do not feel too good about Alston at PG. The worst part of the team last year was well no Yao at the end and no consistent scoring. I actually like this because it improves on a strength, the Rockets D. If I was a Rocket fan, I'd want to see Luther Head get better not regress.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>I thought the Rockets also gave up Donte Green, the 1st rounder from this year. If its just Jackson and a pick, no big deal. Greene has a chance to be a star, at least that's what I've read</div> From what I have read the Rockets are trading Donte Greene, next years pick, and Bobby Jackson, for Ron Artest, Patrick Ewing Jr. and Sean Singletary. Sean and Patrick are in the deal to make the money work according to this article. <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>The Houston Rockets have reached an agreement to acquire forward Ron Artest from the Sacramento Kings, the Houston Chronicle is reporting. The Rockets will give up guard Bobby Jackson, a No. 1 draft pick next season and another player that the individual with knowledge of the trade could not name. Rookie Donte Greene is included in the deal, but since Greene has already signed a rookie contract he cannot currently be traded. Greene is considered to be key to the trade from the King's perspective, and his status will prevent the deal from going through until August 14, when he becomes eligible to be dealt. The Rockets also are expected to acquire rookies Patrick Ewing Jr. and Sean Singletary in the deal to make the money match, but both have partially guaranteed contracts and are likely to be released. The Rockets will also send the Kings cash in excess of $1 million.</div>
Artest is underrated. When he is not causing trouble, he is a beast. Not many players in the league can score 20 while locking down the other team's best player.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ryan @ Jul 30 2008, 07:18 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CohanHater @ Jul 30 2008, 06:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>The Rockets are going to be a throwback to the Pistons. I'd hate to have to watch this team everynight, but they're going to beat some teams up. I don't understand how this is a horrible trade. The Rockets traded away a pick and ascrub for a player that makes them instant contenders. He fits their system perfectly.</div> You think this makes them contenders? I think the health of Yao and T-Mac have always been the key to success for them and I don't think this trade changes that. Don't forget that they had to go on a 22 game win streak or something like that to get a 5 seed. I don't think they were that close to begin with (though certainly closer than the W's for next year) and I don't think Artest is that much of difference maker, especially considering they were already solid at the 3. At this point I would not trade the current W's roster for theirs and I wouldn't even think about it. </div> Obviously any contending team needs their best 2 players healthy, but you add the best all around defender in the league (when focused) who can also play offense to a defensive minded half-court team that they'll be instant contenders, yes. Are they favorites? no, nobody is a favorite in the west. I think you put Yao, TMac, Battier, Artest and ANY PG that can control the ball in the mix and they're going to flat out shut teams down.
The Rockets are sure looking good. I think the rockets will do well this year with 3 all-stars in the lineup + a super role player. If they put Artest at PF, that might be an interesting lineup, but I doubt they do it because they wouldn't take advantage of Artests speed as long as Yao is the #1 option on offense. If they can stay healthy I'd say they got almost an equally good chance of winning a ring like Boston last year. The Rockets lineup has proven they can play well without Yao, so they can actually rest him and move towards a quicker tempo when needed. However, I don't think their perimeter game is very efficient. Artest + T-mac doesn't equal Ray Allen + Paul Pierce IMO. You get bad free throw shooting and streak shooting from the field. Defensively they might equal the Ray Allen + Paul Pierce tandem (more or less). Allen plays defense when he tries, same with T-mac. But I think Paul Pierce + Ray Allen would kill T-mac and Artest in a free throw shooting contest. Same with Garnett. Important games get lost when guys start bricking the freebees and they are one of the team's star players. I also think Pierce, Allen, and Garnett were the best playmaking stars to play in a while and Boston also had a pure point guard who can lock down on defense. Yao, Artest, T-mac is a pretty decent passing team, but I'm not sure about that perimeter shooting. Yao needs guys who can drain it so the team can get points and at the same time space the floor so Yao can better own the paint. The inside outside game is definitely there and so is the defense.
