Ron Artest Trade
By admin at 5 August, 2008, 7:36 am
by Paul Gartlan
In my opinion, this is a fantastic move for the Rockets. Who knows how Donte Greene was going to develop, and Bobby Jackson only has so much left in his tank. Ron Artest brings that second perimeter threat that Tracy McGrady has been longing for to make that push passed the first round of the playoffs.
Houston is now a top 4 team in the West thanks to this trade. They were already close to a second round appearance without having Yao Ming, and having a banged up Rafer Alston running the show. In my estimation, their new starting 5 would be: Rafer Alston, Tracy McGrady, Ron Artest, Luis Scola, and Yao Ming. It does not get anymore balanced than that my friends. (I also believe that Rafer Alston is one of the more underrated point guards in the league.)
I might even say that they are the second best team in the West, but the New Orleans Hornets make a solid case for themselves as they can only get better with age at this point (and with the addition of James Posey.)
Finally someone in Houston gave McGrady what he needed to make Finals run. Sure, Artest is a headcase that can totally lose his mind by midseason. He’s got off the court issues that cannot be ignored certainly, but in Houston’s case, the chance that he stays quiet and does not cause problems is one you take.
I highly doubt that on a championship caliber team that Ron Artest is going to do something to screw that up. He has to have matured somewhat since his days in Indiana. In Sacramento he toned down his behavior a lot compared to before. Plus, he’s a lockdown defender that won’t hurt to have on the floor on offense, a certain rarity in this league. I just can’t see how Artest will let himself blow his best chance at a ring in his career.
If Artest knows what is good for him (which he may not), he will NOT screw around in Houston. He knew the Kings were bad last season with no real big expectations going in, so he could cruise a little bit. The Rockets organization however is thinking much differently with this one. This trade means they want to win THIS year.
If Ron Artest wants to be taken seriously anymore in this league with his trade demands and the willingness of teams to give up quality players to get him, he will not mess around and play his butt off for Houston. In essence, this is his last chance. If he plays hard and they still do not reach the Finals then so be it, but if he becomes a distraction and screws it up for the whole team, he’ll become sort of the Barry Bonds of NBA. Teams will only sign him out of complete desperation despite realizing the heavy baggage that comes with him. I know that sounds severe, and I do not think that this will happen, but I cannot help but think that teams would want to deal with Artest if he blows a situation like this.
This is the chance you probably do not deserve, Ron Artest. Just keep to yourself and play hard.
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