Ron Artest is predictably unpredictable. When things seem to be alright, thats when you need to be on the watch for some nonsense like this.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">how bout him and tinsley for odom? or him for devean george and luke walton?</div> Thats a joke of trade. I think even Tinsley's worth more than George and Walton let alone Artest.
Where did he actually ask to be traded? Didn't he just say that he thinks the Pacers would be better off trading him? That's different than demanding a trade.
Remember last year he had the album coming out and wanted time off? Then the brawl, which I think was overblown a bit. Pacers really gave him the benefit of the doubt. But then this year, he said he was focused on winning a championship. That is, UNLESS 2 months into the season he starts to question whether this is the best team for him to showcase his offensive game. Even while they are generally WINNING and have promise to go all the way. This guy is a little child and needs to be put back in his crib. If I was Donnie Walsh I would be on my way to Artest's house to smack some sense into him. With backup of course. In fact if I was on his team i would be on the way over too. This puts Bird and Walsh in a position where if they don't trade him, they might make him mad, the team could start in-fighting, he would get "injured", not play to his potential or whatever. If you do trade him, now you're missing one of your key weapons, and another team has it. I think they should get rid of him right now, and move on with the rest of the guys and tell them to put it behind them. This guy is basically giving up, putting himself first at the expense of the entire organization and the team.
Truwarrier is at it again... It looks like whenever he speaks, some chaos happens But hey, at least he did admit he is immature, i guess that's an improvement
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Ron Artest can't come back now, not after this, not after saying he wants to get away from coach Rick Carlisle and go someplace where he can get bigger numbers and a fresh start. Now. Artest, an incorrigible bum who should have been set free long ago, should not be allowed to spend another night soiling the uniform of the Indiana Pacers. If he wants out -- and he made that abundantly clear when he spoke with The Star's Mike Wells -- then the Pacers must accommodate him, and accommodate him immediately. Before he destroys a second straight season. Before he further poisons what has often been a toxic locker room. If Larry Bird and Donnie Walsh don't do something dramatic and immediate, they are completely asleep at the wheel -- something they've long been guilty of when it involves Teflon Ron. If Artest is allowed back in that locker room, what would management be telling Carlisle? That it backs Artest? That Artest can say or do just about anything and be forgiven? If Artest is still here one week from now, Carlisle needs to give management an ultimatum: It's him or me. And it needs to be Carlisle. The Pacers head coach rubs some people the wrong way -- former and current players have chafed under his micromanaging, run-the-play style -- but he wins every place he coaches and he wins under all kinds of circumstances. When Artest was gone last season, running a daddy day care and promoting his CD, Carlisle was doing one of the most remarkable coaching jobs in recent memory, taking the shell of a team to the second round of the playoffs. If Artest is allowed to return, what would that say to the other players in the locker room? The ones who presumably care more about winning a title than getting their statistics? The ones who spent all last season fighting through suspensions and injuries and playing some of the most inspiring, unselfish basketball this team has played in years? If it wasn't obvious to Pacers' management long ago, it should be now: The guy is a hopeless case. He's a wonderful basketball player who possesses great passion for the game, but, ultimately, he is a team-killer, a selfish lout who says one thing and does another. Anybody remember how, during the whole contrived Ron Across America Tour, he made a point of committing himself to the team, insisting he would happily sacrifice his numbers for the greater good? That lasted, what, three months? Now, he's saying he wants to play the role of Kobe, or LeBron, or maybe Gilbert Arenas, "to maximize my opportunity of my potential." The "Real Ron,'' indeed. Anybody remember how, during that same tour, he made a point of thanking the Pacers for all their patience and understanding, and how, in return, he owed them nothing less than a championship? Now he's saying (and please don't snicker as you read this one), "I don't think everybody is treated the same way around here,'' and "I think they will be a better team without me." After all this organization has done for him -- supported (enabled) him, counseled him, even lied for him -- this was his way of showing gratitude. Thanks, Ron. And good riddance. He must be traded.</div> Source The local media is ripping on Artest and calling for his departure. Some good points in there about how the message ownership sends to the locker room if Artest is allowed back.
Expiring contracts Defense Offense What is it that the Pacers need in replacement for Artest who has great all around ability. For Peja, I think would be horrible downgrade in defense, not to mention all that is gotten in return is a glorified spot up shooter, unless there is more to it. I'm sure offers will pour in, though Artest's problems.
It's funny that Artest is being made out to be a huge villain right now, when everyone knew that the Pacers were shopping him all season. And Artest is earning about half is market value right now. The right thing for Artest would have been for him to bail on his team halfway through the season. Oh well.
