I pose this question to everyone. With all of the big names dropping out of Athens <font size="1">(Allen, Carter, Kobe, Garnett, Shaq unlikely)</font><font size="2"> why shouldn't Artest be selected to the Olympic squad? </font> <font size="2"></font> <font size="2">Some might argue that his past reputation could keep him out of it but I think with the DPOY selection it shows that coaches/media have already forgotten the past and recognized that he is a very talented player in the L. Why is he not listed as one of the favourites to replace these guys?</font> In Miller light terms it would be a "Trava-sham-mockery" if he doesn't get selected. <font size="1">Personally I would not want him to be selected so he can rest this summer and come back strong next year.</font>
They still got a better squad than the rest anyways, they will take it anyway. BTW: He shouldn't have that spot in the roster.
Why do you think that? Are you discounting the other talented international teams out there? The US is not far removed from their last showing at the Olympics. They still had trouble with other teams and I don't see that trouble ending with all of these players backing out. Please give me some information I can work with other than these one-liners you keep spitting out. And why should he not have a spot on the roster? Please share your thoughts.
He deserves it, but you know, people deserves it more than him. US still got many more great choices than any other team in the world, they got the upper hand, they got the rookies, the vetarns, the stars, they got it all. Just pick whatever they want to.
Okay.....what rookies, veterans and stars are you talking about? Can you please be specific? Who deserves it more than Artest?
<font color="red">Edit</font> man, are you born to get info in with a spoon? They got LeBron who outplay Artest, they got Iverson, they got Anthony, they got the elite in the world. They are big time favorites, and please stop pretending to not understand anymore...
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting DajuanWagner#2:</div><div class="quote_post"><font color="red">Edit</font> man, are you born to get info in with a spoon? They got LeBron who outplay Artest, they got Iverson, they got Anthony, they got the elite in the world. They are big time favorites, and please stop pretending to not understand anymore...</div> Spoon feed me? You still have not explained reasons why these players should be chosen over him. First of all Iverson has been injured for most of the season so why would he be chosen over Artest who won the DPOY this year? Second of all why would you select two rookies to head to Athens over the best defender in the NBA? Your arguements have no facts or opinions to back it up. Last time I checked: If you have an opinion you must back it up with actual information rather than just name dropping. The only reason I'm pretending not to understand is because I'm trying to make your posts actually worthwhile to look at instead of having to deal with one-liners. <font color="red"></font>
Yo CV, is there any word an a specific chosen roster that they would like? There is alot of talent in the league, and Artest should be worth looking at I agree.
Since Kobe is out of the Olympics I would think they would want to replace him with a guard/foward type player. Artest would fit into this perfectly, as does Paul Pierce regardless of what happened at the World Championships. There are a lot of players that are gonna be/maybe missing this summer: Shaq- Probably going to rest for the summer Malone- Had his first serious injury this year Duncan- Missed time during the season due to a knee injury, could opt out Jermaine O'neal- Has worries about security Garnett Kobe Carter Ray Allen There are going to be a lot of spots to fill in Athens. As for who they are going to be, I have no idea but Artest should be one of them.
Ray Allen is getting married this summer I believe, so he will be out as well. Let me just throw out some random names that should be worth taking a look at. C-Ben Wallace (not probable, but would be a huge factor in intimidation) C-Jamal Magloire (had a great year, i feel he should be rewarded for his All-Star season) F-Elton Brand (one of the best PFs today and still young) F/G-Ron Artest (DPOY) F/G-LeBron James (ROY, but with all the endorsements, he will probably be too busy to compete this summer) G-Gilbert Arenas (definatly a worth looking at. He can score as well as set plays) G-Dwane Wade (Need I say more? This kid is simply put...AMAZING)
Shaq- Probably going to rest for the summer Malone- Had his first serious injury this year Duncan- Missed time during the season due to a knee injury, could opt out Jermaine O'neal- Has worries about security Garnett- Getting married Kobe- Trial Carter- Getting married Ray Allen- Spending time with fiance and expecting a baby Anyways I dont see no reason why Artest should'nt be selected. Him on the team would provide Team USA with alot more defense and toughness. Just look at the way he play's defense on the world best basketball palyers. Just imagine what he will do to the international players. For Team USA sake, lets hope they will offer him a spot. As for Allen Iverson...That knee injury isnt looking too good and him playing on a bad knee would probably make it worse. And most likely he will be sluggish when the season starts again. But winning a gold medal will just add yet another chapter in his amazing carrer. Then again playing with a bad knee and playing in a NBA season right away could lead him to the end of his carrer. Im leading more on him to opt out.
I think Artest can make the team seeing as how so many of the "first-tier" players are out. One guy I'd definitely put on there is Cassell, a reward, perhaps, for all his years of being overlooked. He'd also OWN with that 19' 3-point line.
I would also put in Cassell...I like Artest on the team, but the thing that concerns me is that in International competition, you need to be able to shoot the ball...look what happened last time when they didn't have shooters... As weird as this sounds, if the U.S. has Jason Kidd -T-Mac-and Artest on the floor together at the PG-SG-SF position, I'd be worried...T-Mac is the only one who could shoot the rock, and even then he's a bit inconsistent.
I say give him an invite, The Europeans wont know what hit them(no one plays D over in Europe) although the game is in Athens, my geography isnt up to shape...but there will be Euro's there...I like the list of Maagloire, Wade...etc. that could be an exciting team that could win it all.
Artest does deserve to get a spot. However, I believe that there are better players than him and they deserve to get the spot more than he does. Michael Redd, Dwyane Wade and even Cassell or Baron Davis have the leverage to make it.
I think Artest should be the first person to fill a spot on the team. What coach would not want a dominant defender who can score as well? Ben Wallace with Ron Artest would make the ultimate defensive nightmare for opposing coaches. I would definitely put Sam Cassell on the team. NMG hit it on the head when he said that there is no one that can shoot on Team USA. Sam would even out the lineups to make sure that there is enough offense to go around. I like this lineup: c- Ben Wallace pf-Tim Duncan (if he plays) sf-Ron Artest sg-T-Mac pg-Sam Cassell You have your shooting with T-Mac and Cassell (Artest can shoot as well). You have your rebounding with Duncan and Wallace. You have the three headed defensive monster in Wallace, Duncan and Artest. You have your slasher in Mcgrady. This is my dream lineup for team USA.
^Not the best lineup they can have, but it would be great though. I belive they still will win with that roster thought.
Artest probably won't get selected for the olympics, probably because of his past reputation or the fact that people still think he's a liability on offense. What a lot of people seem to not focus on is Ron's defense, we know or at least picture Euro's to be softies and most come out with a great guard on their team. Ron is one of the strongest players in the NBA if not the world that plays his position. I think he could shut down the star guard on any team in Europe.
