this would be a loss for the Pacers, they might get like 6 more ppg but Artest is the better overall player, especially on D. The Pacers already have great shooters/point producers.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Birdman33:</div><div class="quote_post">IF this trade is true it's really pretty good for both teams. Both guys had burned bridges and Artest has to get out of the same division/conference as Rip Hamilton. Rip owned his ass in the playoffs. I think Artest is overrated defensively, actually. If referees allow him to cover up his lack of footspeed with lots of grabbing and bullying, yeah, he's great. And he can get into a guy's head because he's so physical (in my opinion that's not basketball, but I'll save it for another place, another time) but his actual ability to stay in front of somebody (legally) leaves a little to be desired. Plus, he's a complete moron on the offensive end. He creates for no one but himself and is constantly taking shots that disrupt the flow of his team's offense. I don't like him but he will give the Kings some real toughness at SF, and they will still keep Christie because Artest and Christie really guard two different types of player. As for Peja, he won't be guarding any of the perimeter players that were listed above, he's a 6-9/6-10 European for God's sake. Plus, it seems that some of the posters here have forgotten that the NBA decided to allow zones a couple of years ago. Good move by both squads (if it's true) and it does make sense.</div> I agree with everything you said (especially about the Artest thing) Overall, very nice trade for both teams. I really wonder if it would happen though. Does anyone else get the feeling that the East is about to even the playing feild with the West over the next 2 years?
Stojakovic For Artest Is Just Hearsay <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Rarely does a talented team escape the speculative nature of the NBA's annual free agency free-for-all. Count the Indiana Pacers among that group. But while the trade rumors continue to swirl, Pacers president Larry Bird has quashed one proposed move -- for now, at least. The Ron Artest-Peja Stojakovic All-Star swap is a product of someone's imagination and not a deal that is imminent, Bird said. "It's all speculation," Bird said. "Peja wanting to be traded has nothing to do with Ronnie. It's all just talk." Sacramento's Stojakovic, a three-time All-Star and 3-point specialist, requested a trade last week. Artest's name was mentioned as a possibility after Stojakovic's agent, David Bauman, said that Bird had inquired about such a deal in June. Bird said he had an informal conversation with Kings director of player personnel Jerry Reynolds before the Pacers traded for Altanta's Stephen Jackson. A 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. Artest will receive $6.2 million. Reynolds, according to Bird, made it clear that the Kings would not trade Stojakovic, who led the Kings in scoring last season and was second in the league with a 24.2-ppg average. Artest, the league's reigning Defensive Player of the Year, is considered equally valuable by the Pacers. "I don't know why people are so quick to assume we'd even be interested in thinking about trading Ronnie," Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said. "The fact is, there are going to be rumors about this and that. If one guy asks to be traded, everybody looks around. Those things just happen."</div> <div align="center">Link</div>
Merged the duplicate thread into this thread, it is semi-old news as you can see if you read the posts above.
artest.....wow artest is a good defensive player but should in no way got Defensive Player of the Year. If i was the kings i would shop peja around a little more because artest gets mad when hes not on and starts punching ppl like in the playoffs (rip hamilton). i guess im wonderin y everybody is all saying ron artest is the best d-fensive player EVER.
What are you talking about? I dont know what you're talkinga bout casue your not making any sense. Artest not deserving DPOY?! Being only a GOOD defender?! You have to give me a break. Holding on average his opponents to 8 ppg and 30 something FG% isn't deserving of DPOY?! he's strong, agile and can guard anyone on the perimeter and can even guard in the post.... Artest is worth way more than Peja...
Wow i hope that goes down. That would be a crazy deal. I like ron alot, but i dont think he will look good in a kings jersey but that would be a good trade for both teams
Good. Peja gets what he wants and the kings start really sucken. I hope Webber is happy for making this team crappy for talking all the shit he did....
