<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Minutes after Heat coach Pat Riley praised the Pacers for receiving fair value for Ron Artest, it was announced that the Kings rejected the trade for Peja Stojakovic. Does that mean the Heat is back in the Artest talks? Riley would not say how involved the Heat has been with the Pacers. But chances are Riley and Pacers President Donnie Walsh have spoken. One report this season had the two teams discussing a deal that involved Antoine Walker. "He's an intriguing player," Riley said about the enigmatic Artest. "He's just different. He's a defender, rebounder, instigator, antagonist, enforcer. He really brings an element to the game that changes the mentality of the opposition as much as anything else." The Pacers have shown a willingness to be patient with Artest and have not been any different during their attempt to trade him. "(Walsh) is not going to become a little whip in this thing," Riley said before the deal died. "He held out and got fair value." Eddie, Eddie: Grizzlies guard Eddie Jones received a loud ovation when he was introduced Tuesday, his first game in Miami since being traded last summer in the deal that brought Jason Williams and Walker to Miami. Jones played five seasons in Miami, arriving the summer that Alonzo Mourning was diagnosed with a kidney disease. "That was unfortunate for us and for him," Riley said. "We felt we had put together a very good team. The first three years were rebuilding for Eddie. We won 51 games that year but we weren't going anywhere. The next three years were all about (salary) cap, tax, all that stuff. "He had two real good seasons here. I think he should feel real good about those two years he had here because I think he left a very positive taste in the mouth of a lot of the fans and media that were a little bit on him. I think he'll always be well respected in this area." Jones is not bitter about being traded but disappointed he was sent away when the Heat may have its best chance at a title. "That's what hurt me more than anything, going through all the things I went through here, being so close to being there and you're out," he said. Jones misses tutoring Dorell Wright, playing poker with Shandon Anderson and hanging with Udonis Haslem and Dwyane Wade most. He and Wade joked on the sideline just before tipoff. Jones, a Fort Lauderdale native, remains a Heat fan. "I tell them the same things I told them before, bring a championship to Miami," Jones said. That's what Yogi said: Riley was asked if Shaquille O'Neal was rounding into form. "I think he's coming. To me it's 50 percent that and 100 percent of this," he said, pointing to his head. Riley then credited Shaq's critics for helping his center's game. "I would highly recommend you keep criticizing him heavily," Riley said. "It might help a little bit." </div> http://www.palmbeachpost.com/heat/content/...notes_0125.html
