Ron Artest To Join Summer League
- Thread starter kingsrock783
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Dude, I'm sure he'll be at the games... coaching or not. It's just common in summer leagues the head coach doesn't coach. Probably needed for input on making deals.
Not sure how it is with a new coach, but still. Also he'll play young players, obviously, he played Arenas his rookie year. Muss uses his bench.
Not sure how it is with a new coach, but still. Also he'll play young players, obviously, he played Arenas his rookie year. Muss uses his bench.
Ron is going to show our young guards how to really compete and he's going to show the undrafted big men how to play with intensity and focus. He'll probably be a very helpful source of defensive wisdom for all those young guys. Like having an extra coach that you can put out on the floor. He's not going to mess up opportunities for the less proven players we need to look at, unless the Kings have surprise plans to try him out at center and point guard.
You're not serious, are you?
We finally have someone who lives and breathes basketball, and some people are complaining that he's going to play summer league?
Think back to the days of "I don't do basketball at home." Is that the attitude you would prefer, instead?
And don't you honestly think if the staff of the Kings didn't want him there they would have found a way to say so?
This isn't just Artest's idea.
We finally have someone who lives and breathes basketball, and some people are complaining that he's going to play summer league?
Think back to the days of "I don't do basketball at home." Is that the attitude you would prefer, instead?
And don't you honestly think if the staff of the Kings didn't want him there they would have found a way to say so?
This isn't just Artest's idea.
I'm 100% serious, actually.
I don't think that Ron Artest is the first ever member of the Sacramento Kings who "lives and breathes" basketball. I don't think he's the only current member of the Sacramento Kings who "lives and breathes" basketball.
I do think, however, that the summer league is meant to serve a purpose -- to let the coaches/league officials see new talent. Not for established players in the league to get their daily fix of basketball. If staying in shape and playing the game is the goal, there are plenty of other ways to do so without turning the summer league into the Ron Artest show.
I love Artest. I lobbied for him for two years before the trade went through, and danced around my living room like an idiot when it finally did. I'm thrilled that those in charge still feel it's important to keep him happy. That's wonderful. But someone still has to tell him to dial it down on occasion.
He's got nothing to prove. He's one of the top players in the league. He's shown his dedication to the game several times over. This isn't necessary.
Step aside and let the new kids show what they've got. Or, quite frankly, get over yourself.
As for the suggestion that I'd prefer the attitude of a certain former King, you know my feelings about Peja. They've been well documented on this board. The condescension isn't necessary to prove your point, especially since I've never shied away from my feelings on the subject.
I don't think that Ron Artest is the first ever member of the Sacramento Kings who "lives and breathes" basketball. I don't think he's the only current member of the Sacramento Kings who "lives and breathes" basketball.
I do think, however, that the summer league is meant to serve a purpose -- to let the coaches/league officials see new talent. Not for established players in the league to get their daily fix of basketball. If staying in shape and playing the game is the goal, there are plenty of other ways to do so without turning the summer league into the Ron Artest show.
I love Artest. I lobbied for him for two years before the trade went through, and danced around my living room like an idiot when it finally did. I'm thrilled that those in charge still feel it's important to keep him happy. That's wonderful. But someone still has to tell him to dial it down on occasion.
He's got nothing to prove. He's one of the top players in the league. He's shown his dedication to the game several times over. This isn't necessary.
Step aside and let the new kids show what they've got. Or, quite frankly, get over yourself.
As for the suggestion that I'd prefer the attitude of a certain former King, you know my feelings about Peja. They've been well documented on this board. The condescension isn't necessary to prove your point, especially since I've never shied away from my feelings on the subject.
GoGoGadget - Condescension? Okay, if you say so... I was simply using exaggeration to emphasize my point. Sorry if you thought it was something else.
I'll simply agree to disagree with you about Ron Artest and summer league. I think he was encouraged to attend by someone, however, and I don't think it was the voices in his head.
Have a nice night, G3.
I'll simply agree to disagree with you about Ron Artest and summer league. I think he was encouraged to attend by someone, however, and I don't think it was the voices in his head.
Have a nice night, G3.
But guess what? He wasn't in full shape then, he slowly got some conditioning back as he went on. But it wasn't in-season shape.
He's doing it to stay in shape and keep playing, as well as to mesh with the youngsters. He's not gonna hog the minutes away from the youngsters, he'll play some minutes, and be a motivator/cheerleader/input guy the rest. He's a gym rat, and works on his game every summer, this is part of it again.
He missed a month and a half this past season, and only played in 7 games in 2004-2005 of course.
I'd say it's great to see and fine.
He's doing it to stay in shape and keep playing, as well as to mesh with the youngsters. He's not gonna hog the minutes away from the youngsters, he'll play some minutes, and be a motivator/cheerleader/input guy the rest. He's a gym rat, and works on his game every summer, this is part of it again.
He missed a month and a half this past season, and only played in 7 games in 2004-2005 of course.
I'd say it's great to see and fine.
That's fine if that's how it works out. If he's out there leading the charge all night, every night... eh, not so much.
Like I said in my first post on the subject, it's really not something that I'm that up in arms about. I don't agree with the decision, but I'm not about to make a federal case about it.
Like I said in my first post on the subject, it's really not something that I'm that up in arms about. I don't agree with the decision, but I'm not about to make a federal case about it.
It's Ron, I still think we need to pshyco-anylize everything he does at this point. IMO the less games and minutes he plays in SL, the better... But if he wants to play some minutes with the young guys, be a presence, help with their development... etc. that's fine with me. He can offer advice and form some chemistry too, just don't get wore out and please don't do anything stupid.
Uh, you're worried over summer league games? Holy cookies, chap. The guy hasn't been a wild child for a year and a half, and with the way he's acted on and off the court this season, he's a different guy aside from his unique comments he makes. He's proven that and should continue to because of the new situation with the Kings. I think he does.
How can he get worn out when he won't be playing long minutes, and when there are only like, six games. Ron also has good stamnia, as shown when coming to the Kings after a month and a half off, and just playing in gyms around certain cities when he was inactive.
Just don't see how it's going to be complex, and not just gelling with the young guys and motivating them more while playing some basketball, and being the gym-a-holic he is.
How can he get worn out when he won't be playing long minutes, and when there are only like, six games. Ron also has good stamnia, as shown when coming to the Kings after a month and a half off, and just playing in gyms around certain cities when he was inactive.
Just don't see how it's going to be complex, and not just gelling with the young guys and motivating them more while playing some basketball, and being the gym-a-holic he is.
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This has got nothing to do with the Kings at some point -- its all about Ron. He apparently was always crashing summer league for the Pacers too. At some point you just have to tell Ron "no". Or the very least "only on our terms". In a normal year for us like we used to have where there were maybe 2 or 3 guys on the summer league roster tops who really were of interest? OK. Ron still wouldn't have belonged there, and its missing the whole point of summer league, but no huge deal. Actually this is still no HUGE deal, but nonetheless this year is different -- this year we have at LEAST half a dozen guys on that summer league of note, intriguing guys playing to establish themselves, guys trying to play their way into out camp, tryign to prove they can be a backup PG for us, trying to prove they can belong, and then Kevin and Garcia to boot. Kevin himself is already long in the tooth for summer league, let alone Ron.
If Ron does not displace anybody's minutes beyond some garbage camp invite like an NFL player or rapper wannabe, fine. But if he cuts down on the minutes of guys who need them, then you simply tell Ron "no". There are PLENTY of guys who "live and breathe basketball" who don't go around crashing summer leagues anymore than they do McDonald's All-America camps. It doesn't prove anything. We already know he loves the game. fine. Now go do what Kobe does and take a 1000 jumpers a day all summer + we'll see you in October. Meanwhile we've got kids to investigate and develop, and we'd appreciate it if you respect them and us enough not to go crashing the only place we will get to see them in action just for personal jollies. Plenty of good games to be had out there without stopping on by to lay down the law on a bunch of guys not fit to hold your jock.
That's not "anti-Artest" as some evil entity. But it is something where he is often just kind of a big kid, and somebody needs to set some limits and tell him what's appropriate and expected at times.
If Ron does not displace anybody's minutes beyond some garbage camp invite like an NFL player or rapper wannabe, fine. But if he cuts down on the minutes of guys who need them, then you simply tell Ron "no". There are PLENTY of guys who "live and breathe basketball" who don't go around crashing summer leagues anymore than they do McDonald's All-America camps. It doesn't prove anything. We already know he loves the game. fine. Now go do what Kobe does and take a 1000 jumpers a day all summer + we'll see you in October. Meanwhile we've got kids to investigate and develop, and we'd appreciate it if you respect them and us enough not to go crashing the only place we will get to see them in action just for personal jollies. Plenty of good games to be had out there without stopping on by to lay down the law on a bunch of guys not fit to hold your jock.
That's not "anti-Artest" as some evil entity. But it is something where he is often just kind of a big kid, and somebody needs to set some limits and tell him what's appropriate and expected at times.
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Well, this time around, because of him playing 63 games total the last 2 seasons. I'd say it's alright. I don't think he'll play a lot of minutes.
I honestly didn't know, before last season, he did the SL regularily. That's interesting and cool, because it shows his great work ethic and involvement. But don't think he needs to do it after this.
I honestly didn't know, before last season, he did the SL regularily. That's interesting and cool, because it shows his great work ethic and involvement. But don't think he needs to do it after this.
Well, think of it this way. Who's going to be playing SF for the Kings next year? Ron Artest. Is there any chance a summer league invite is making the roster as a SF? Highly unlikely. What we're auditioning here are power forwards and centers. Maybe playing them alongside Artest will give us a better idea of what they can do for this roster since they'll be playing alongside Artest more than likely anyway as members of the Kings.
If he's eating some of Cisco's minutes that wouldn't be very good because I think his development is even more of a priority then the play of the bigs, but whatever. Between Artest/Cisco/Martin they can have all of the minutes at the 2/3 spots and we'll still get to see the youg bigs.
I kind of wish that Artest wasn't playing, but there's actually a fair chance that it helps him get ready for the season. And anything you can do to have your best player playing his best ball is a good thing.
I kind of wish that Artest wasn't playing, but there's actually a fair chance that it helps him get ready for the season. And anything you can do to have your best player playing his best ball is a good thing.