<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Saturday afternoon, Artest set the record straight on what he thinks of the trade talk. "I was told the rumors about me being traded weren't true, but I haven't spoken to (Pacers president Larry) Bird," Artest said. "I know a lot of Indiana fans don't like it; they don't want me to go. Obviously, it's a business. But everywhere I go, people tell me they are not feeling it." That was certainly the mood here, where the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year signed autographs and posed for pictures with fans for two hours at Tippecanoe Mall. "He's an Indiana Pacer and we need to keep it that way," said Arlen Jackson, who waited in the back of the line. Stojakovic's recent demand that he be traded ignited speculation that a deal between the Pacers and Kings was in the works. A straight-up deal involving the two players would qualify under NBA salary cap rules because their salaries match closely enough, or the Pacers could include a minimum salary player. Stojakovic will be paid $6.875 million next season, and Artest will receive $6.2 million. The revelation from Stojakovic's agent David Bauman that Bird had inquired about such a deal in June fueled the rumors. Bird dismissed the talk as pure speculation last week, but the chatter has continued. "You never know," Artest said. "(Stojakovic) is a good player, a good player. If they trade me for him, the Pacers would be good. The Kings would be real good, too. Real good. "But I made a long-term commitment to the Indiana Pacers. Even when I came here, a lot of guys didn't have faith in me. They thought I was going to be a knucklehead. Some people really didn't want me here, but I made up my mind to show people that I could change a little bit, that I could improve and do my thing here the way I wanted to."</div> <div align="center">Link</div> Well I don't see no reason why he wouldn?t want to stay. He was their best defensive players and he meshed so well with this team. And instead of Larry Bird looking to trade the best perimeter defender in the league, he should look to get another scorer. But wait, he already did so by acquiring Stephen Jackson. So what I'm saying is what in the world is Larry Bird thinking? And even though he put a lid on the Peja and Artest deal, he?s still been rumored to move Artest. The Pacers have a very good team and if Jermaine O'Neal stays on top of his game, (granted that he doesn?t sustain an injury again) and you also receive some scoring from Stephen Jackson and lastly a defensive machine like Artest they?re already set for next season. So I don?t see no reason why Bird may be looking to trade Artest. The only change that needs to be done is at the Center position, other than what?s left to do?
Artest is a Bully. I like calling him that cuz when he's in the low post or playing defense he is just a bully. I dont see Indiana trading him, and trading him for Peja would've been a bad Idea, cuz this team is just as talented as the Pistons. But with more to add offensively.
I dont think he is saying this with 100% confidence. Artest is not a stupid guy he is not gona be sold off with a line like o the trade rumors were false. He knows they are there and I wouldnt be surprised to see him request a trade because of his temper if these rumors pop up again. Why would you want to trade a guy who is the best defender in the league without question and just one defensive player of the year and was named to his first all star game? For a guy who gets completely shut donw in the playoffs and does not play nearly as good in the post as artest and is no were near the defender he is. I hate artest's attitude, but like the love he has for the game and the way he plays it with such desire and would not trade him for any other small forward in the nba at this point out side of vince carter because he would raise ticket sales.
i dunno what larry is thinking wanting to trade ron, he's a top defender and he can score too. NOWAY is indiana is 75% 03-04 season's team without him.
The PAcers should hold onto him.. If he can keep his temper under control he could be an amazing player someday.
i think he definitely fits in with the Pacers better than he does with the Kings...But an O'neal/Stojakovic combo would be amazing...now, if the Pacers had kept Al Harrington then I'm sure they woulda done the Artest deal in a heartbeat...
I think that Artest should stay at the Pacers, because they need him to contend against the Pistons and Heat.
Artest is the kind of player the Pacers need to win (and Team USA coulda used him too) especially with the defensive minded pistons and the new heat waiting for them in the playoffs
