Ron Ron to Lakers

[dalakhani]

Originally Posted by SniperSB23

Time will tell. I think it's a great pickup but it's been a long time since he took much under 15 shots a game and if he starts taking that many with the Lakers Kobe is going to throw a hissy fit.

Actually, take a look at the game logs from last season. There were many games he took less than 15 shots. He didnt start taking a lot of shots consistently until Mcgrady went out. There were many games that he took less than 15 shots.

Mitch is looking like Jerry west jr right now.

[NTamm1215]

It's funny that it was brought up here that Artest is such an incredible defender and he has an amazing reputation around the NBA for defense. However, he was absolutely thrashed by Brandon Roy in the Rockets' 1st round series and that prompted Adelman to start Battier against Kobe in round 2.

Fact of the matter is that Ron Ron did not guard the top wingmen last year, Battier did. He is still a good defender but is not nearly as fast as he used to be and is prone to blow-ups if things aren't going his way. He is also a complete liability at times on offense considering he's known to hoist up ridiculous 20 footers on consecutive possessions.

It'll be interesting to see how it works with Kobe because for the 15 minutes that McLady was healthy last year Ron Ron was lost on the court. He didn't know where he fit in and his numbers kind of sagged (could have had something to do with his ankle). He is a great team player and hustles, which makes him so likeable, but he is now in the Carlos Beltran category in Houston.

NT

Originally Posted by NTamm1215

It's funny that it was brought up here that Artest is such an incredible defender and he has an amazing reputation around the NBA for defense. However, he was absolutely thrashed by Brandon Roy in the Rockets' 1st round series and that prompted Adelman to start Battier against Kobe in round 2.

Fact of the matter is that Ron Ron did not guard the top wingmen last year, Battier did. He is still a good defender but is not nearly as fast as he used to be and is prone to blow-ups if things aren't going his way. He is also a complete liability at times on offense considering he's known to hoist up ridiculous 20 footers on consecutive possessions.

It'll be interesting to see how it works with Kobe because for the 15 minutes that McLady was healthy last year Ron Ron was lost on the court. He didn't know where he fit in and his numbers kind of sagged (could have had something to do with his ankle). He is a great team player and hustles, which makes him so likeable, but he is now in the Carlos Beltran category in Houston.

NT

I think this is the key. He is not as fast as he was and
because he relied so much on ability he gets frustrated
really easily now on D. Instead of like a Bowen (past tense)
or Battier that actually think about playing defense
and are very composed players.
But it really was nice to have Artest and Battier playing D
as they could rest each other and often did, or if foul problems
arose on either.

I dont know what McGrady's contract structure is but if it
is dealable in the next year or so the Rockets should do so imo.

[dalakhani]

Originally Posted by pgardn

I think this is the key. He is not as fast as he was and
because he relied so much on ability he gets frustrated
really easily now on D. Instead of like a Bowen (past tense)
or Battier that actually think about playing defense
and are very composed players.
But it really was nice to have Artest and Battier playing D
as they could rest each other and often did, or if foul problems
arose on either.

I dont know what McGrady's contract structure is but if it
is dealable in the next year or so the Rockets should do so imo.

LOL. If they could, they would. No one wants that contract.

Originally Posted by dalakhani

LOL. If they could, they would. No one wants that contract.

What is it? How many years left?

[dalakhani]

Originally Posted by pgardn

What is it? How many years left?

Its expiring...at 23 million.

Looks like he stays.

I have this feeling he may not get
hurt this coming season.

oh Heck, with that much money,
he might not even like basketball
and stay hurt this season.

23 million not taxed by the great State of Texas.

[King Glorious]

Now we know why Artest didn't punch Kobe after Kobe elbowed him in the throat in the playoffs. I thought for sure he was going to go Chris Childs on Kobe but he didn't. Guess he didn't want to hurt his chances of coming to LA.