ESPN Insider excerpts - Artest emails Stein

[ycfan93]

ESPN Insider Article about Artest

How Ron would fit the Clips
by: Marc Stein
posted: Wednesday, December 27, 2006
http://insider.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?name=stein_marc&catID=Sport~46~46&catDesc=NBA

From Marc Stein, ESPN.com:

...I think Ron Artest, deep down, would be thrilled with a trade to the Clippers...

...Artest has heard all of the above (rumors) and more. Yet he insists that ..."I want to finish my career here in Sac with Mike Bibby," Artest stressed in a series of e-mails we exchanged...

...Artest also disputes the widespread notion that he and Bibby are wrestling for control of the team, insisting that he's "looking forward to buying a big mansion here [in Sacramento] next summer."...

...However, the root of the Kings' newfound tension, by all accounts, is Artest's Whose Team Is It? tangle with Bibby. With the Clips, you could make the case that Artest wouldn't be higher in their pecking order than No. 3 or 4, with Elton Brand, Sam Cassell and Livingston on the same roster. You suspect he'd have to be really geeked about the Hollywood music scene, and what it can do for his rap career, to be OK with that status...

...In Monday's Sacramento Bee, ...Sam Amick reported that Artest "has been acting very emotional and unpredictable for some time, including ... one stretch in which he 'didn't talk to [his teammates] for four days.'"...

..."Just false reports," Artest counters. "I'm happy here and want to be a part of the new Sacramento Kings. We are so competitive that, when we lose, it's not something we [can] get used to. Most teams lose and you won't hear a thing the whole season. On this team, Mike will blame himself and I will blame myself. But we are playing better and Brad Miller is back, so people should expect wins."...

...A cynic might say that Artest is saying all the right things to convince the Clips to ignore any reservations they might have and go through with the deal...

 

[bperiod]

Good riddance, I am tired of Artest anyway and never thought he was actally a "King". That cat has "T.O. Syndrome" Always has an excuse, always says nothing is wrong, etc. His shot selection SUCKS, he wants to be a Kobe, Dwayne or Lebron with none of the game. If he would stay mid-range, or go to the basket, rebound and play his tough 'D' he'd be an All-NBA player...but he wants to jack up 3's and off balance runners.? I think he's the type that gets jealous when other players shine. He shoots 3's to try and show Mike he's the man, and to let K-Mart know he's not gonna out shine him. GET RID OF HIM NOW WHILE WE STILL CAN!! And please stop harping on Mike..that man has done nothing but be loyal to Sacramento, has everyone forgot how he carried this team last year when we had NOTHING? (and stop throwing pilsbury Miller in the elite player category) You throw Artest in there, they make a nice run. You fire the coach, bring in a walk it up, no offense minded guy and now Mike has to adjust to him and Artest PLUS HE's INJURED!? Can the guy get a little slack? I've never been around more flippy floppy fans in my life!

 

[DocHolliday]

I honestly was a little excited about this deal at first, but no more. Maggette is an inch shorter and ways less. We lose the one mis-match we are guaranteed to have every game. I'm on the keep Ron side of the fence.

 

[tyrant]

Good riddance, I am tired of Artest anyway and never thought he was actally a "King". That cat has "T.O. Syndrome" Always has an excuse, always says nothing is wrong, etc. His shot selection SUCKS, he wants to be a Kobe, Dwayne or Lebron with none of the game. If he would stay mid-range, or go to the basket, rebound and play his tough 'D' he'd be an All-NBA player...but he wants to jack up 3's and off balance runners.? I think he's the type that gets jealous when other players shine. He shoots 3's to try and show Mike he's the man, and to let K-Mart know he's not gonna out shine him. GET RID OF HIM NOW WHILE WE STILL CAN!! And please stop harping on Mike..that man has done nothing but be loyal to Sacramento, has everyone forgot how he carried this team last year when we had NOTHING? (and stop throwing pilsbury Miller in the elite player category) You throw Artest in there, they make a nice run. You fire the coach, bring in a walk it up, no offense minded guy and now Mike has to adjust to him and Artest PLUS HE's INJURED!? Can the guy get a little slack? I've never been around more flippy floppy fans in my life!

that was hilarious

 

[Fresno King]

From Marc Stein, ESPN.com:

...I think Ron Artest, deep down, would be thrilled with a trade to the Clippers...

...Artest has heard all of the above (rumors) and more. Yet he insists that ..."I want to finish my career here in Sac with Mike Bibby," Artest stressed in a series of e-mails we exchanged...

...Artest also disputes the widespread notion that he and Bibby are wrestling for control of the team, insisting that he's "looking forward to buying a big mansion here [in Sacramento] next summer."...

...However, the root of the Kings' newfound tension, by all accounts, is Artest's Whose Team Is It? tangle with Bibby. With the Clips, you could make the case that Artest wouldn't be higher in their pecking order than No. 3 or 4, with Elton Brand, Sam Cassell and Livingston on the same roster. You suspect he'd have to be really geeked about the Hollywood music scene, and what it can do for his rap career, to be OK with that status...

...In Monday's Sacramento Bee, ...Sam Amick reported that Artest "has been acting very emotional and unpredictable for some time, including ... one stretch in which he 'didn't talk to [his teammates] for four days.'"...

..."Just false reports," Artest counters. "I'm happy here and want to be a part of the new Sacramento Kings. We are so competitive that, when we lose, it's not something we [can] get used to. Most teams lose and you won't hear a thing the whole season. On this team, Mike will blame himself and I will blame myself. But we are playing better and Brad Miller is back, so people should expect wins."...

...A cynic might say that Artest is saying all the right things to convince the Clips to ignore any reservations they might have and go through with the deal...

 

[Burrito06]

I was just going to ask someone if they could get this article.

 

[BawLa]

So whats all the fuss about? Disgruntled fans being twisted by the bleeping LA media? Just because their team sucks doesn't mean we need to give them our best defensive player.

 

[Cal-Kings]

What is so clever about the article is, Artest basically denied everything Stein wrote, and Stein still concludes that Stein is correct in his assessment implying that all Stein's insider information came from Artest himself in emails.

Whatever happened to journalism? It's become a game.

 

[Roman]

What is so clever about the article is, Artest basically denied everything Stein wrote, and Stein still concludes that Stein is correct in his assessment implying that all Stein's insider information came from Artest himself in emails.

Whatever happened to journalism? It's become a game.

The problem is that you basically have to read into anything and everything that is said.

God would only hope Artest wouldn't come forward and say: "I hate Mike Bibby. This is my team or I want out." (although I have to wonder how much of that blurb is true)

 

[Cal-Kings]

The problem is that you basically have to read into anything and everything that is said.

God would only hope Artest wouldn't come forward and say: "I hate Mike Bibby. This is my team or I want out." (although I have to wonder how much of that blurb is true)

So, I'm supposed to read a journalist by saying "if he says white he means black." Actually Stein is no journalist anyway. He's an analyst, better known as a "stir the pot" fiction writer.

I have no idea what really goes on in the Kings locker room. But neither does Stein. That's all I'm saying.

 

[Indianapolis King]

Well, I can't say that what I've seen over the last few weeks is surprising. I watched almost EXACTLY the same thing happen here in Indiana over the last 2 years. I did think it would take longer for Ron to begin the "I'm one of the best players in the league and should be treated like Lebron and Kobe" talk like he did last year in Indiana. Best thing to do now is cut bait quick. The honeymoon is over. This is who the kings are married to. Annulment?!

 

[bperiod]

Well, I can't say that what I've seen over the last few weeks is surprising. I watched almost EXACTLY the same thing happen here in Indiana over the last 2 years. I did think it would take longer for Ron to begin the "I'm one of the best players in the league and should be treated like Lebron and Kobe" talk like he did last year in Indiana. Best thing to do now is cut bait quick. The honeymoon is over. This is who the kings are married to. Annulment?!

Thank you Indy King...exactly my sentiment. Instead of being who he is (a monster in the paint, a lock down defender and team enforcer) He wants the glamour, wants to shoot 3's and handle the rock? In my opinion, he's just a higher level Charles Oakley, Anthony Mason type...and you remember what happened when Oakley started complaining MJ shot too much...he was shipped to New York where he got to build brick houses launching that ugly jumper. LOL Don't get me wrong, when 'Crazy Ronny' is behaving himself and just ballin..he's fantastic..but we all know T.O. , I mean Rodman, damn...I mean RON ARTEST will never just play ball..there will always be an issue.

 

[Wuster]

Well, I can't say that what I've seen over the last few weeks is surprising. I watched almost EXACTLY the same thing happen here in Indiana over the last 2 years. I did think it would take longer for Ron to begin the "I'm one of the best players in the league and should be treated like Lebron and Kobe" talk like he did last year in Indiana. Best thing to do now is cut bait quick. The honeymoon is over. This is who the kings are married to. Annulment?!

Take note ^^^.

 

[JB_kings]

I'm all for trading Artest, I just don't think this Clipper deal is THE deal. If Petrie wanted Maggette, it would have been done already. Mags is a malcontent who wants to start for the Clippers. So if he shows up here and insists on starting, we've traded one problem for another.

 

[Roman]

I'm all for trading Artest, I just don't think this Clipper deal is THE deal. If Petrie wanted Maggette, it would have been done already. Mags is a malcontent who wants to start for the Clippers. So if he shows up here and insists on starting, we've traded one problem for another.

Well, on Maggs side - who would start over him? John Salmons? KT?

 

[ezekielbear]

Well, on Maggs side - who would start over him? John Salmons? KT?

He thinks he plays better at SG then SF and provides more there.

He's a maroon.

 

[bperiod]

The issue is you're not gonna get anything "better" for him than Corey, and if it drags on too long, sooner than later Ron is gonna do something dumb which will make moving him even harder for less...
You're not gonna get equal value because he is a time bomb, the other team doesn't know how long they have with him before they have to get rid of him. He's never gonna be happy or last anywhere. So basically whoever takes him is just renting him until he decides to act a fool.

 

[ezekielbear]

The issue is you're not gonna get anything "better" for him than Corey, and if it drags on too long, sooner than later Ron is gonna do something dumb which will make moving him even harder for less...
You're not gonna get equal value because he is a time bomb, the other team doesn't know how long they have with him before they have to get rid of him. He's never gonna be happy or last anywhere. So basically whoever takes him is just renting him until he decides to act a fool.

I don't think anybody has a problem moving Ron.

The problem people do have is:

1) Trading him to the Clippers and pairing two mid 20 something stars in Brand and Artest, along with an improving Livingston and Kaman.

2) Trading one problem for another problem. Maggette is a crybaby, and stirs crap up in the lockerroom, no worse then Ron.

3) Maggette has said he wants to play in Orlando, so more or less, you're renting a guy (again), who's not going to be in your future plans. All he will do, is be decent enough to keep us from a Top 10 pick.

Trading Ron for Corey is trading one problem for another, and doing nothing to improve your future...just a way to continue to tread water.

 

[SacKings384]

Only Marc Stein can use an email denying everything he's arguing for as evidence that he is right.

 

[Roman]

Trading Ron for Corey is trading one problem for another, and doing nothing to improve your future...just a way to continue to tread water.

I agree for the most part - but there isn't anything that this team could hope to get for Artest that truly makes us better.

In the fans', owners' and GMs' mind, it would seem that the PG of the future is Bibby, the SG is Martin and C is Brad Miller. Everyone seems pretty opposed to moving these pieces.

So, that leaves you a lot of middling talent with higher contracts (sans SAR since his contract is so low). You can mix and match these guys, but you'll never get anything.

The only way to make this team better is to box up players like Bibby, Miller, Artest together or with a higher value piece like SAR (low contract / good player). For instance, Bibby/SAR or Artest/SAR could probably fetch something.

We've got to forget those old Kings' teams and our loyalties and move pieces. Bibby/Artest could probably net us a legit player in return with some filler.

But, moving Artest alone ... eh ... a mega-slumping Peja was the best that Indy could do, I don't see us doing much better.

 

[bperiod]

So you're gonna sit on Artest? He is never going to be happy in Sacramento...if something better than Corey comes along great but I doubt it. Also, I live in LA and trying to compare Corey wanting to start with Ron Artest as far as problems goes is not even on the same wavelength..LOL. Corey just doesn't get along with Dunleavy. (Probably dissed his weak kid at Duke or something ) I've seen him play plenty of times and he is pretty much unstoppable going to the rim, injuries always seem to be the problem. However, I'm sure they will magically clear up just like Crazy Ron's knees & back will get real healthy once he's traded.

 

[ezekielbear]

but there isn't anything that this team could hope to get for Artest that truly makes us better

Not right now, no.

However, I'm pretty sure there is a decent young player/1st rounder out there (even if it's late) for somebody like Artest.

Get something for the future for him.

 

[VF21]

I may be in the minority but the most bizarre thing to me about all this is the exchange of emails between Marc Stein and Artest...

Sorry, but there's just something wrong with that.

I guess we'll all see how the team does tonight, if Artest plays, if there's communication on the court, etc. I'm pretty sure there are going to be a whole lot of people watching very carefully for any telltale signs, real or imagined.

I am so heartily tired of this stupid drama stuff. It has just about sucked the joy out of a game I've loved for over 40 years.

My quote from Bricklayer says it all...

SHUT UP AND PLAY!!!

And Artest? That goes QUADRUPLE for you!!!

 

[Roman]

Not right now, no.

However, I'm pretty sure there is a decent young player/1st rounder out there (even if it's late) for somebody like Artest.

Get something for the future for him.

No one is going to give up a 1st rounder for Artest, I wouldn't think.

As for a young player - you'll want someone with potential, right? Well, so would they. I just don't see it happening.

I could see something like Artest/SAR for PJ Brown/Deng. But, why would the Bulls take the gamble on Artest?

Atlanta has a ton of player duplication, but they are all so cheap, I can't see them being moved for Artest.

 

[Roman]

I am so heartily tired of this stupid drama stuff. It has just about sucked the joy out of a game I've loved for over 40 years.

Sadly, trade speculation is about the only exciting thing right now.

And Artest? That goes QUADRUPLE for you!!!

I'm sure it's quintuple for me.

 

[ezekielbear]

No one is going to give up a 1st rounder for Artest, I wouldn't think.

As for a young player - you'll want someone with potential, right? Well, so would they. I just don't see it happening.

I could see something like Artest/SAR for PJ Brown/Deng. But, why would the Bulls take the gamble on Artest?

Atlanta has a ton of player duplication, but they are all so cheap, I can't see them being moved for Artest.

Petrie has an eye for talent that nobody else sees. I trust his judgement. He finds those diamonds in the rough...like Kevin Martin, Mo Evans, Ronnie Price, etc.

I'd rather give Petrie the keys to BUILD SOMETHING, not just pick up Maggette because that's the "most talented player" out there.

I can see a team on the brink moving a 1st rounder for Ron...not a straight up swap obviously, but a team that is on the cusp...I could see it.

 

[Bibby_10]

If Ron Artest has to be traded I wonder if we can work out a deal like this.

KG for Artest, Miller and KT.

New starting line-up for the Kings.

C - KG
PF - SAR
SF - Salmons
G - Martin
PG - Bibby

Just a thought so nobody jump down my throat lol.

 

[HndsmCelt]

Look sports writers have to write SOMETHING every deadline, and there is tremendous presure to at least APEAR to have inside contacts and info. So stories get printed all the time based on rumor, inuindo, supisition, hunches and some just wild guesses. The truth is that the ONLY people who know if Ron is Happy or not, and if there even IS a real offer from the Clips are Ron, the Malooofs/Petrie so going on and on about it is POINTLESS. Really folks there is nothing to discuss here. If you wnat to spin yarns and fantisize fine... post up you fantasies but dont take other peoples fantasies seriously and don't expect any serious discussion.

 

[VF21]

If Ron Artest has to be traded I wonder if we can work out a deal like this.

KG for Artest, Miller and KT.

New starting line-up for the Kings.

C - KG
PF - SAR
SF - Salmons
G - Martin
PG - Bibby

Just a thought so nobody jump down my throat lol.

We have tons of trade deal stuff going on in the Personnel Moves forum. You might want to post your idea in that forum. We're trying to keep the trade ideas out of the main forum.

Thanks.

 

[venom_7]

I don't think anybody has a problem moving Ron.

I do.

The problem people do have is:

1) Trading him to the Clippers and pairing two mid 20 something stars in Brand and Artest, along with an improving Livingston and Kaman.

2) Trading one problem for another problem. Maggette is a crybaby, and stirs crap up in the lockerroom, no worse then Ron.

3) Maggette has said he wants to play in Orlando, so more or less, you're renting a guy (again), who's not going to be in your future plans. All he will do, is be decent enough to keep us from a Top 10 pick. Trading Ron for Corey is trading one problem for another, and doing nothing to improve your future...just a way to continue to tread water.

I agree with those points. Why not throw Miller for Kaman in there so we could reunite the 98-99 Bulls? Ha just joking. I dont want to trade Artest because:
1) So far all these 'problems' have been pure speculation. IMHO, I just think it started with one reporter stepping on a soapbox and making unsubstantiated comments. (Voison)
2) He hasn't done anything wrong, and until he even hints that he is going to mess things up, then there is no reason to jump on his back.
3) The team isn't that bad. Most of the games we've lost have been close games to good teams. A few have been blowouts, but that's because we don't match up well with Pheonix, Dallas, and the wannabe Golden State. We won close games with Miami, Chicago, Minnesota, Utah. We've lost close games against San Antonio, Minnesota, Pheonix, Dallas, and others.
4) There are other areas needing fixing. I don't wan't a trade to happen unless it is for a defensive big man.
5) He is our best defensive player.