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Knicks must add Artest for Bad Boys frontcourt
Ken Berger
NBA
July 4, 2007
We've established that there is very little chance of keeping Zach Randolph from filling up boxscores. The only question is, how is Isiah Thomas going to keep him from filling up the gossip columns and police blotters just as quickly?
There is a high-risk, high-reward solution available to the Knicks, one that will make everyone forget that Randolph has a rap sheet longer than his arm.
Trade for Ron Artest.
The teams competing with the Knicks in the East have gotten better this summer. The latest example was Orlando with word yesterday that prized free agent Rashard Lewis has decided to sign a maximum deal with the Magic rather than try to steer his way to the Knicks in a sign-and-trade.
Thomas clearly doesn't intend to stop making moves after trading for Randolph. What would be the point of taking on Randolph's four years and $61 million without making another move to complete the puzzle?
It would be a puzzle for all time if Artest returned to his hometown at age 27 with a truckload of baggage that rivals Randolph's. But a front line of Eddy Curry, Randolph and Artest would make the Knicks just as viable - and at least as interesting - as any team in the East. His three-point shooting, rebounding and ferocious defense are just what the Knicks need at the small forward spot.
Call it the thugification of the Knicks, if you want to. I say, why stop with Randolph? Why not go all the way and bring on Artest?
Knicks fans would embrace a team like that, the way they embraced Pat Riley's villainous Knicks - or better yet, the way they embraced Latrell Sprewell. Incidentally, Sprewell was damaged goods and a year older than Artest when the Knicks traded for him in 1999 and rode him to the NBA Finals.
Of course, you would embrace such a team only if it won. But as crazy as it sounds, a team anchored by Curry and infused with the talent and desperation of Randolph and Artest might find some scary ways to win. And it would give Thomas the replication of the Bad Boys he's always talking about creating.
Garden chairman James Dolan, who eventually ran Sprewell out of town, would have to be sold on Artest. But if Isiah sold Dolan on Randolph, he could make a decent case for Artest - if he wanted to.
That's the unknown. Word is Thomas wasn't crazy about Artest when he coached him briefly with the Pacers. They had only one public dustup, when Thomas suspended Artest for one game after Artest smashed a photo of himself that was displayed on the wall outside the locker room following a loss to Michael Jordan and the Wizards in 2003.
The two don't have much history beyond that, although Artest is said to greatly respect Thomas.
The book on Artest is that he's a decent guy who's made mistakes. He'll be available later this summer at a bargain price because of those mistakes. Sounds a lot like Randolph.
He's also like Randolph in this way: He fits the Knicks' available options because they're a parking garage filled with Hummers over the cap and in no position to get anyone but players who scare other teams.
The Kings are cleaning house, and the Knicks have at least explored the Artest possibility - including discussions about what kind of influence he would be on their young players. An opt-out in Artest's contract after next season presents some additional risk, but it's also another reason why the Knicks wouldn't have to give up much to get him.
Artest has wanted to play for the Knicks since he was growing up in Queensbridge, and still does. If my plan of addition by dysfunction worked, Artest almost certainly would want to re-up and stay home. If not, then all the Knicks will have done is taken a risk.
Artest and Randolph on the same team would be quite a concoction. It might fail, but it just might work. It would be spectacular either way.
http://www.newsday.com/sports/baske...303,print.column?coll=ny-basketball-headlines
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