Re: Artest 'closer' to being traded <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Bird: 'We're closer than we were'ESPN.com news servicesINDIANAPOLIS -- The Indiana Pacers are closer to dealing Ron Artest and getting a player to help their struggling team."We're closer than we were," Indiana president of basketball operations Larry Bird said Tuesday. "To say we're going to do something today, well, that's not going to happen."Artest's agent, Mark Stevens, said "a deal is imminent, almost as soon as possible."A deal with Sacramento is potentially on the horizon, according to the New York Post, which is reporting that Peja Stojakovic could be dealt for Artest.Artest was a key component to a team that was expected to challenge for the Eastern Conference crown. He led the league in steals and was the Pacers' second-leading scorer at 19.4 points a game before being deactivated after publicly requesting a trade in early December.In five years with the Pacers, Artest was an All-Star once and was the NBA's defensive player of the year in 2003-04.Bird said the Pacers had been interested in Corey Maggette of the Los Angeles Clippers, but there was "no question" that Maggette's sprained left foot affected the process. Maggette averaged 21.7 points in 13 games before getting injured in early December.The Timberwolves were among many teams that have inquired about Artest and were thought to be a prime candidate to be involved in a trade. But talks between Timberwolves vice president Kevin McHale and Pacers CEO Donnie Walsh have slowed of late.Jermaine O'Neal, the Pacers' leading scorer, has said some players might be worried about getting traded along with Artest, and it might be affecting their play. The Pacers have lost four of their last five games, including Monday to the Atlanta Hawks, who have the NBA's worst record.Bird dismissed that idea, saying there's always a chance a player can be traded."I don't believe that," Bird said. "How can they be affected? It's the same thing every year."Bird said his players should not worry because he's trying for a one-for-one deal. He said the Pacers' recent tailspin has not pushed him to make a deal more quickly."We want to do what's right for this franchise."</div>http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2304259
Re: Artest 'closer' to being traded I still lost respect for him. If I was him, I wouldnt be moaning about my role in Indiana. You should be happy you're making some good money, and you also should be happy that you're helping our your teammates. He definately lost a lot of respect from his teammates and coaching staff. Who knows if he will do the same thing when he goes to another team. All he care about is himself. He's selfish. Thats all I can say. I don't care what anybody say because I don't give a damn about him anymore. He may be a great player but he definately aint a good person.
Re: Artest 'closer' to being traded Who really cares anymore? Just get a deal done.....please. This is way out of hand. It's not like he's Jordan or anything.
Re: Artest 'closer' to being traded <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Brooksie5 @ Jan 24 2006, 04:45 PM)</div><div class='quotemain'>^^that's why he was traded.</div> Yeah, I posted that before the Artest-Peja thing. Sorry.
