This was a 2010 move for the Clippers. Instead of signing a guy (not even a franchise player) to a long-term $12 million per year deal, they've got a two year rental (solid player) and will now be major players in the 2010 market with Baron, Gordon, Kaman, and Thornton already under contract. Not bad at all.
Youre forgetting one thing: Phil has already coached the all time loose cannon. Some guy named Rodman. Im sure he can handle Artest since Artest on court hustle is rarely in doubt. The only thing Phil needs to do is make sure no one throws beer on the guy in detroit. Id rather deal with a guy who may have some off court issues but is a better player then an inconsistent underachiever who is soft like Odom.
But then there's the issue of rebounding and maybe shot-blocking. Had a rough time even with Odom, who was the leading rebounder the entire playoffs. Plus we lose a tough rebounder and shot-blocker off the bench in Turiaf most likely If Kings were to add someone who can rebound and block shots (aka not Kenny Thomas), I could be more happy with the deal. Odom's just the better overall player. Plus, read somewhere that getting Thomas would also create cap problems when needing to re-sign Bynum in the future.
Another thing to add to what R was saying regarding Rodman....he had Jordan on the court to keep him in check, no way Bryant can do that nor will he prob. really want to.
Ron Ron is superior in just about every other category. You can worry about him being a headcase, but as Matt pointed out, Phil has a history with that. Ron Ron creates more shots for himself - 66% of Odom's jumpers and 56% of his close range shots were assisted, while 40% of Artest's jumpers and 33% of his close range shots were assisted in '07-'08. The percentages are similar for '06-'07. Ron Ron is a better shooter - In terms of EFG (taking into account jumpers and not close shots, for a better indication of pure jump shooting ability), Odom shot .400, while Ron Ron was at .439 in '07-'08. In '06-'07, Odom shot .396, while Ron Ron shot .431. That's just what the doc ordered on offense at the SF position for the Lakers really. Someone that can create shots for himself, and shoot jumpers. Defensively, I don't see how they compare. Odom has an advantage with his length, and rebounding ability, but at the SF position, you're looking for a lock down defender. Ron Ron is just that. He faces the opposition's best player on the court every night, while that role falls to Kobe for the Lakers. Maybe I'm just like Sec, and not a fan of Odom. Or just have a penchant for tough as nails Saber toothed tigers, over Pterodactyls. If I'm Kupchak, and ready to roll the dice, done my homework about his off court issues, then on the court, I would gladly make that trade.
I had Odom on my team. he was beloved here. But I have seen Artest play. Ron ROn does just about everything better than Odom except rebound. He is also a guy you can count on to take responsibility for "winning". Odom likes to watch others do that. That was part of the emergence of D-Wade. Odom alllowed for a Rookie to take all the important shots. Odom is a good player. Artest is a GREAT one.
Odom is a better rebounder, ball handler, and teammate. Ron Artest basically does everything else better, but if you factor in the off court distractions, then I think they're pretty even. However, as previously stated.. Phil Jackson has a history of taking guys like that and turning them into gold, so it's a situational thing I suppose. Let's just say that if I'm a young team with a panzy for a coach, I'm going to go with Odom.
We don't really need someone who creates their own shots. The triangle fits well if you can make the shots that are given to you and create just once in a while. In fact, that's all Odom can do really, take it to the hole himself. He is not a set-up jump shooter. And another thing Odom possesses is the versatility to move to PF when the bench starts coming in and we don't have a legit bench PF right now if Turiaf leaves. I'd make the trade if Kenny Thomas was not included or shipped off to another team. Having his salary on the books makes it harder for us to re-sign Bynum in the future. That is the deal-breaker apparently because Lakers absolutely do not want Thomas's salary. Well, Artest hasn't exactly been on "winning" teams... Well, we don't have a panzy for a coach.
Eh, he was in Indy sure, but I don't consider him mostly responsible for it. JO I thought was the bigger factor.
JO was and always has been a *****. He was then when he was "good". Artest was the man on those Indy teams.
They did still manage a 44-38 season and the semifinals when Artest only played 7 games and missed the entire playoffs because of his little fight.
Ron Artest is a great defensive player and a under rated offensive player but he has a little trouble during his carrer. But I do think he is better then Lamar odem
NBA News: Nuggets Deal Frees Up Space The Nuggets dealt Center Marcus Camby to Los Angeles Clippers yesterday in a salary cap shakeup deal. The Nuggets salary cap with Marcus Camby was at approximately $81 million. Ten million of the $81 was Camby's contract. The team now is at $71 million and is at the benchmark of the NBA's luxury tax. (Link) Philadelphia's Changing of the Positions The Elton Brand addition in Philadelphia has made a few changes on the roster. Other than the change of a low post presence, the Sixers have moved Thaddeus Young from Power Forward to Small Forward. Also, the 76ers have turned their attention to their own FA Andre Igoudala. If Igoudala was to come back to Philadelphia, he would have to be moved to Shooting Guard. Igoudala averaged 19.9 points per game last year. (Link) Pacers Confident In Dealing Tinsley/Trade Proposal to Heat Declined The Indiana Pacers proposed a trade to the Miami Heat that would have sent Udonis Haslem to Indiana in exchange for Point Guard Jamaal Tinsley. The Heat were reluctant to give up Haslem. However, the Pacers are confident that they can move Tinsley because Pacers officials believe that are 10 to 12 teams that need a Point Guard. The Grizzlies may be open to trading one of their three young Point Guards (Conley, Lowry and Crittenton). (Link) Draft Pick Chalmers To Start For Heat? New Heat coach Eric Spoelstra believes that Chalmers showed plenty promise in the Summer League and is in the mix to be the Heat starting PG. Spoelstra stated that 'we don't want to put too much pressure on him early. What I really liked was he made other players better'' by penetrating and dishing. (Link) Knicks Sign Former UF PG; Marbury Out? The Knicks agreed on a two year deal with former Florida PG Anthony Roberson. Knicks president Donnie Walsh wanted to add another piece to the PG spot before he moved Stephon Marbury. There has been plenty speculation regarding Marbury's future but Marbury states he hasn't been approached yet. Marbury has yet to 'dine' with new coach Mike D'Antoni. D'Antoni has had talks with several other veterans on the team regarding their opinion on Marbury and if they believe he will be a detriment. (Link) Posey Seeking Four Year Deal FA James Posey has been seeking a 4 year deal from teams but has received no more than three. Posey has been in talks with the Pistons, Lakers, Hornets, Wizards and Cavaliers. (Link) McGrady Open To Going To Detroit McGrady has stated that he is open to going to the Detroit Pistons. There have been reports over the last week regarding McGrady's future in Houston. McGrady said that he loves Houston but he just wants to win. This was reported on ESPNEWS. I put titles in there now because some of you may not care to read information about other teams so instead of reading every single one, you can look to the title.
Posey wants a four year deal because he is likely to retire at 35 and he wants to retire with the team he signs with now. They say he is likely playing for his last contract which is why he is taking his time.
Because McHale prefers to be the one getting ripped off. Besides, he doesn't want Camby because it'll take him an extra year before he can trade him to Boston for trash.
Looks like that patience paid off... Posey to the Hornets http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3492206
Man I'd love for my Wizards to grab Posey. I think he is exactly what they need to compete with the elite teams in the east. If they could get him and get some luck with the health of Butler and Arenas we could be a very interesting team. I have no problem giving him a 4 year deal, adding one year isnt a bad deal if you can make the finals or win a title.
Yep, we agree, a one trick southpaw that takes advantage of his length playing at the 3 spot, and quickness at the 4 spot. He'll give you 17 and 10 on most nights, but Ron Ron has the better jumper, can create off the bounce, and is the better 3 point shooter. On the defensive end, Artest can eat you alive, while Odom can wallow in puzzling indifference. I beg to differ though as to ''we don't really need someone who creates their own shots.'' Every team needs someone that can create their own shot on the court. Apart from Kobe, perhaps Fisher, I don't see many more in L.A. Odom would be playing on the wing as a SF as well, where the need to create and distribute is great than at PF, even in the triangle. In fairness though, even as a PF, he preferred the comfortable confines of the wing rather than the swinging elbows of the low post, so the difference would be minimal. Point well taken when it comes to his versatility, and Kenny Thomas's 18M. I would still hope Kupchak shows some creativeness, because that razor sharp intensity, and swagger on both ends would suit the velvet Lakers well.
I dont think you guys are going to get anywhere close to a title with that nucleus. I like the Wiz, but they seem to be lacking something. Jamison has always struck me as a 3 forced to play the 4. Arenas has his days, but he reminds me alot of Marbury, and may end up like him once his athleticism starts fading away. No true 2 guard hurts as well. Butler is amazing though. I loathed the day the heat got rid of him. IMO Butler is the best player on the Wizards.
Please dont act like Odom is a defensive presence when hes softer then a marshmallow. Artest blocks the same amount of shots and hes 4 inches shorter and a heck of a lot stronger and tougher. Hes exactly what the Lakers need and he is BY FAR the better player. Artest is a consistent perimeter shooter who can create a shot, play in trasition, finish, and play in the post. By the way the Kings have no interior shot blockers, thats why theyre as bad as they are. Over the last two years the only team that blocks fewer shots is the Knicks. As far as the cap problems, old man Buss will just have to open the wallet.
Its hard to say, the Wizards big three have never been healthy for a run. Jamison is really underrated, he isn't a great defender but he's a really good rebounder and can score from anywhere. He's a tough guy to guard. I agree about Butler, I do think he is our all around best player. I don't agree about Arenas, he is a better player than Marbury, plus he's not a horrible team mate. We needed a player thats a hard nosed defender like Posey plus more help from the inside players and I don't see any reason why we can't compete in the east. Who is really good besides the Celtics in the East?
Don't know, Detroit seems like they need to retool to win the East, they are still a playoff team though. I don't think Philly is better than the Wizards right now, Brand may not be 100% and I think the Wizards are getting better every year. I think we can beat Philly or Detroit in the playoffs, Cleveland seems to have our number though.
Brand is 100%. He stated it and passed every test given to him by Philadelphia. As for Detroit, they are good every year and you can basically bank on it as long as Dumars is running it there, despite a new head coach. I don't think you guys can beat Detroit or Philly. I feel that Philadelphia could be better than Cleveland.
Meh I'm not afraid of Philly at all, they just don't strike me as a great team. Brand is a good player but he doesn't change the entire east, I think Philly is a 1st or 2nd round loser with him there still. Detroit will be there but I don't see any reason why we can't beat them. I like the Wizards chances next season, we have the talent to win in the east. We have never seen what this team can do with all our players healthy.
They may not have had the best record last year but they performed well in the first round against Detroit last season. I think they are a top 5 seed with Brand. I am not going to say how far they can go because I am not sure how long it will take to build the chemistry behind Brand and the other players on the roster. Why do you believe that Washington can beat Detroit? I think they are clearly the better team. I agree that you guys have talent. We have never seen what they could do with all your players healthy? How do we know they will be healthy next year? Unfortunately, we don't. I like Washington but I don't believe that they are better than Detroit and I think they would have a tough time with Philadelphia.
I agree. They could make a few moves that might take one step back this year but two steps forward the next or they might retool and be back on top. The offseason still has a ways to play out.
