http://www.indystar.com/print/articles/0/0...0-3560-039.html <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> Ron Artest's days with the Indiana Pacers are fading like the final whispers of summer now that Larry Bird and Rick Carlisle are running the show. That, at least, is the line of logic that appears to run through a significant segment of the Pacers' fan base, which can't picture the team's controversial forward coexisting with the new guard. That line runs into a quick dead-end, however, when it reaches Bird, the team president of basketball operations, and Carlisle, the coach. They profess to love Artest. They respect his game, like his personality and are confident added maturity will address the issues that caused him to be suspended for 12 games last season. In fact, their comments sound strikingly similar to those of former coach Isiah Thomas and team CEO Donnie Walsh. Bird has talked with Artest several times and watched him work out at Conseco Fieldhouse. Carlisle put Artest through workouts a few times before he was officially presented as the Pacers' new coach last week. They came away with a mutual impression. "Ronnie is an incredibly hard worker," Bird said. "I told him I wish I had him working out in the summer with me when I played. It would have been fun. "I know he's gone through tough times here and there but he's got a ton of ability. And when you sit down and talk to him you just love the kid; it's incredible." </div> Artest sounds like a changed man. If that's possible. I expect that next season's suspensions/flagrants will drastically decrease.
Those quotes need links pal. Anyway... Artest is an impact player..on and off the court, I can see Bird trading him if the deal is right, but I would like to see Larry take a chance with him first, he can always trade him later during the season.
Whoops. I fixed it. Artest is just too talented to trade without being given a second chance, with a new coach and all. Bird knows what he's doing.
Artest to stay in Indy? <div class="quote_poster">Quoting King James:</div><div class="quote_post">Those quotes need links pal. Anyway... Artest is an impact player..on and off the court, I can see Bird trading him if the deal is right, but I would like to see Larry take a chance with him first, he can always trade him later during the season.</div> I totally agree with you KingJames, hopefully Larry will give him the chance that he deserves, with the right coach he might be totally different in attitude and he can be a real asset to the Pacers.
