Ron Artest - not a dummy

by grungedave on Jul 31, 2008 5:14 PM CDT

Nothing makes for better locker room chemistry than the new acquisition sucking up to the best player on the team...

"I'm not demanding anything," Artest said. "I will play in Houston [this season] and I will have a great year and they will have the first option to re-sign me. This is a big opportunity because I'm going to be playing with the best center in the game."

Damn right!

Do I sense a big group hug coming? I do!

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I believe Dwight Howard would disagree with you on the best center in the game bit.

by Basketball John on Jul 31, 2008 8:15 PM CDT reply actions

He can disagree all he wants... he'd still be wrong.

by grungedave on Jul 31, 2008 8:17 PM CDT reply actions

Dwight Howard is a physical freak, he has about 1/10 as many offensive skills as Yao and is only a slightly better rebounder. There isn't a chance that he's a better center. A better PF? Ya, I'll give him that

by UofTOrange on Jul 31, 2008 10:27 PM CDT reply actions

Completely a homer on this issue, but with Bayless taking over PG duties for the Blazers, I really think Steve Blake would be a perfect fit for the Rockets. I watched him play all 4 years at Maryland, and ever since he's been in the NBA, he's done nothing but be the same selfless player that is a true PG. I can't imagine it would cost much to get him and unlike Rafer, he knows (and loves) his role as an assist machine. Again, completely biased, but great character guy that would be an upgrade from Rafer.

by Jacob on Aug 1, 2008 8:47 AM CDT reply actions

jacob, I think I can speak for both Lee and myself here in saying that we are HUGE Steve Blake fans and were really disappointed the Rockets didn't sign him the last time he was a free agent. That guy would be perfect for us.

by grungedave on Aug 1, 2008 8:49 AM CDT reply actions

Question: Who is the better center in their prime....The Dream or Yao? And why?

by wescox10 on Aug 1, 2008 11:18 AM CDT reply actions

Uhh, as much as I love Yao Ming - and he's a badass - this isn't even a debate. Hakeem is wayyyyy better.

by grungedave on Aug 1, 2008 11:21 AM CDT reply actions

I have to agree and I love Yao too. The Dream just seemed so smooth on the court AND led us to two titles. I'm sure Yao gets(or has gotten) plenty of coaching from Him, Ewing, and Dike. How great is that.

by wescox10 on Aug 1, 2008 11:55 AM CDT reply actions

So would getting Blake be a possibility on Morey's amazing radar? Who do you think we could conceivably give up/they would take for him? Also, what's goin on with Landry contract status?

by Jacob on Aug 1, 2008 12:09 PM CDT reply actions

I can't see Portland trading him right now, but he has to be on Morey's radar. Honestly though, what would we give up that they would want? Does Steve Novak and Luther Head do it? How does that improve their team?

by UofTOrange on Aug 1, 2008 1:00 PM CDT reply actions

Not sure, but figured we could trade Alston while people still remember him for the last few months of the season instead of the rest of his career. Possibly a sign and trade with Landry considering that might be his only option since every other team is wary of his health. Though I imagine Morey is coming up with some amazing scheme where he gets us Steve Nash for Hayes, Head, and a Matt Maloney signed rookie card.

by Jacob on Aug 1, 2008 1:23 PM CDT reply actions

Landry can't sign and trade, something odd with his player status. We either pay him, match him or lose him.

by UofTOrange on Aug 1, 2008 1:44 PM CDT reply actions

I don't know much about Blake as a pro, but I do remember watching him at Maryland. I grew up a Clemson fan(Longhorns too). I could definitely see him getting 10 assists per game. I don't know how valuable he is so trade Head and Hayes?? Have there been any rumors at all or is this just an idea?

by wescox10 on Aug 1, 2008 2:09 PM CDT reply actions

Just an idea as far as I know. A good idea though!

by UofTOrange on Aug 1, 2008 3:35 PM CDT reply actions

houston doesnt need a pg... have tmac at point since he has the ball most of the time anyways, and have ron ron at sg, battier at sf, scola at pf, and yao at C. That is a sickass lineup.

by Kevin on Aug 2, 2008 2:36 PM CDT reply actions

You can't play TMac at point the entire game as he gets tired doing what he already does. You don't want him bringing the ball up consistently and wasting energy like that. I do believe that there will be games that he closes it out at PG though.

by UofTOrange on Aug 2, 2008 7:29 PM CDT reply actions

I know its heresy around here, but I'll say something in Alston's favor. Adelman is very good for point guards. Mike Bibby was a good PG for exactly as long as he had Adelman as a coach. The New Improved Rafer appeared after a half season with Adelman and the whole team bought into his system (which, not coincidentally, went along with an all time great NBA streak).

If we get a whole season of New Improved Rafer, there's not going to be much to complain about.

by Xiane on Aug 2, 2008 8:05 PM CDT reply actions

Hey grungedave & UofTorange, I despise the Utah Jazz with the best of 'em, but is it wrong that I'm totally rooting for Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer right now as the Redeem Team seeks gold in Beijing? I'm rooting especially for Williams, who's breaking apart the zones the U.S. continues to see and showing me just how good of a player he is (I chose to chalk up what I saw the last two years in the playoffs as completely bogus due to bad calls or something). Plus, the fact that he boasts a pretty wicked Texas tatoo keeps him from being thrown in there with Karl Malone and AK-47 (who I disliked even more after last night's Russia game)as my least favorite players of all time.
Just a random question amidst the more important Artest matters...thanks for your thougths.
Rockets in '08-'09, Pres

by Presley on Aug 3, 2008 2:00 PM CDT reply actions

Presley, I like Deron. A lot. I hate Utah, but Deron is cool. He was just unfortunate enough to get picked by a team filled with assholes. When he's on Team USA, I have no problem rooting for him.

In fact the only US players I ever openly rooted against were Patrick Ewing and Karl Malone. Oh, and Starbury.

by grungedave on Aug 3, 2008 5:55 PM CDT reply actions

I like Deron too. He's not CP3, but he's damn good. Once he learns to flop like the rest of the Jazz team he will be damn near unstoppable.

Xiane,
I kind of agree with you. And remember, I REALLY want to like Rafer, he just does stuff that makes it impossible sometimes. I'm actually piecing together a post about how this team hinges on Rafer next year.

by UofTOrange on Aug 4, 2008 11:37 AM CDT reply actions

I will say that for all my defense of Rafer the idea of "the season hinges on the play of Rafer Alston" fills me with dread. I'm about 1/2 hope, 1/2 dread when it comes to Rafer.

Aaron Brooks? This would be a good season to Make The Leap.

If we had an offense/defense platoon at PG depending on the matchup, I could live with that.

Also, I'm thinking all the depth Houston is accumulating could really help come playoff time.

Of course there isn't any depth a C or PG, but...

by Xiane on Aug 5, 2008 1:36 PM CDT reply actions

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