Artest to Rockets?

[dansensei]

^ the lakers are just not ready to let odom go...

Actually, the Lakers are the ones that offered Odom to Sacramento. The Kings just didn't accept that.

But NBA front-office sources told ESPN.com on Sunday that the Lakers -- fond as they are of Artest and confident as they are that they can get the best out of him through Phil Jackson's coaching and Artest's respect for Bryant -- are reluctant to part with Odom in an Artest swap. That stance, if the Lakers hold firm, would almost certainly prompt Sacramento to look elsewhere for a trade partner.

ESPN.com

[Drex]

As a Laker fan I am pissed, the Maloof bros are a couple of douchebags, we offered Odom who is way better than the scak of shit that they are getting from Houston. Before anybody says it I know you never trade within the division but seriously, this trade sucks ass!!!! Way to go Sac-A-Crappo, just keep getting better, you've got Bobby Jackson back, maybe you can go after Mike Bibby, Peja, and ask Vlade and CWebb to come out of retirement, then the resurrection of the 2002 team would be complete, just can't let go of the old days can you? BTW the Maloofs can play hide and go fuck themselves!!!!!!!!! Evil or Very Mad No disrespect to Houston either, cause if this trade goes through they just raped Suck-ramento.

How much did you celebrate when the Lakers got Gasol for a bag of chips?

[Andrew]

Fine trade for the Rockets but it would seem to leave Battier out of the picture. I'd say he's capable enough as a swingman to play behind both Artest and McGrady but that still doesn't leave a lot of minutes to go around unless the Rockets decide to frequently go small. Of course, with McGrady's nagging back he might be pressed into service more often than anticipated.

[wazee]

t-mac, battier, and artest can play together during the end part of games.. or even let tmac slide at the PG.. lots of options now for the rockets.. it's better to sit out one player and come off the bench than have nothing.. especially with almost all of the players on their roster have gone to injury problems..

[Oskar]

I also thought about a possible lineup like this:

PG: Tracy
SG: Artest
SF: Battier
PF: Scola
C: Yao

That would be a pretty big lineup, but Tracy isn't a ballhog, imo, so it could work out.

Doubt it's going to be so, though.

[Modifly]

I think the team will keep Alston at PG because they once said that Alston is indispensable. Eventhough Tracy has a PG mentality and can distribute the ball fairly well, the team still needs a true PG. Besides, Alston has really been a big part of the Rocket's success over the past few season. Especially the last season where they really miss him in the playoffs. There are absolutely no offensive flow without him.

It's likely that Battier will be out of the lineup and become the Rocket's sixth man. Artest offer the same thing as Battier on the defensive end and he provide better offensive lifts at the other end. That being said, I think there's a high chance that Artest will took over at Battier's position. Sad.

[hova-]

Sounds really good. Artest showed that he has matured in a way in SAC. And playing for the Rockets seems to be what he wants. Still the only thing the Rockets really need is that their stars stay healthy, especially in Playoffs.

[Andrew]

I also thought about a possible lineup like this:

PG: Tracy
SG: Artest
SF: Battier
PF: Scola
C: Yao

That would be a pretty big lineup, but Tracy isn't a ballhog, imo, so it could work out.

Doubt it's going to be so, though.

They might run with a lineup like that at times but I don't see McGrady handling the point guard role on a regular basis.

[Modifly]

More info :

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/spo ... 14707.html

[BigGameJames]

[quote="hova-"]Sounds really good. Artest showed that he has matured in a way in SAC. quote]

So I guess domestic battery against his wife doesn't count? Way to show maturity Ron, good luck in Houston, Sacramento is a peice of crap, just a matter of time before they move to Vegas anyways, Maloofs already own a couple of casinos there.

[el badman]

but I don't see McGrady handling the point guard role on a regular basis.

Indeed, I really don't see that happening.
Weird move, but as it's been mentioned, the Rockets could be a really tough team to beat now, if everyone stays off the injury list at least.

[NovU]

el_badman, i want ur comp especially vid card.

i don't think t-mac will play point much. why play point when he can be more efficient scorer at sf or sg, just like kobe not playing point.

now i wish they pull t-mac for billups + sheed kind trade. it'd shock the world.

[Jing]

Least that'll save Kwame from getting his head lopped off by Sheed

[cyanide]

Hollinger mentioned that Artest may play PF, so Battier would be on the floor. Interesting. Artest as a power forward.

[el badman]

I believe Battier also played PF a few times last season, but yeah I wouldn't be surprised if Artest plays that position.

[Vintage]

I believe Battier also played PF a few times last season, but yeah I wouldn't be surprised if Artest plays that position.

He's built like a PF, he's more consistent on the post, and would be a mismatch for his opposition on D, so I think that could work.
Tracy must play off the ball, and I think Alston's consistency was one of the reasons that kept the Rockets going after Yao's injury.
On the other hand, Scola must play and so does Landry, so Ideally, I would bring Battier off the bench, a role he was made for.

[cyanide]

"Hopefully, he's not fighting anymore and going after a guy in the stands," Yao said

What a stupid comment from Yao. Artest's reply to that was retarded. Apparently Tracy McGrady's known to be the dumbest guy in the league. Thank god for Shane Battier.

[NovU]

"Hopefully, he's not fighting anymore and going after a guy in the stands," Yao said

What a stupid comment from Yao. Artest's reply to that was retarded. Apparently Tracy McGrady's known to be the dumbest guy in the league. Thank god for Shane Battier.

haha. yao really did it. i guess yao did mean no disrepect in his cultural way, but obviously, artest got offended. i'm sure they will mingle once they get to know each other.

artest once again is on a good promising squad. should be fun to see how it'll work out with battier and artest.

[bowdown]

he will probably go hunt down yao ming in china and beat him up along with chinese spectators

[Jing]

Ron Artest couldn't find China if he was in it.

[BigGameJames]

Ron Artest couldn't find China if he was in it.

LMFAO

[obliviousky]

I have heard rumors on mcgrady going to Detroit Pistons. Billups and hamilton for mcgrady sounds a good deal to me. Battier for Billups is alternative but unlikely. Let's just wait for the manager to do some trades.

[Andrew]

"Hopefully, he's not fighting anymore and going after a guy in the stands," Yao said

What a stupid comment from Yao. Artest's reply to that was retarded. Apparently Tracy McGrady's known to be the dumbest guy in the league. Thank god for Shane Battier.

Absolutely, both would've been better off keeping their mouths shut or choosing the words more carefully. Yao's comments are a few years too late given Artest hasn't come anywhere near having a similar incident and Artest should not be defending the incident. He's not the only NBA player who has come from those kind of hardships and while that is an important social issue, he's an adult and a professional and should behave as such. Call it a mistake or an incident that got out of hand and leave it alone, don't try and justify it. Having said that, it was poor form for Yao to call him out like that.

[kinokong]

Yao was reiterating the fact that it was his team but anybody else worry about chemistry issues???

[Andrew]

It would seem to be a concern if they don't smooth things over.