Artest says Kings have title shot

[loopymitch]

An article from nba.com. Ron sure has been vocal lately.
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/suns/articles/0411suns0411.html
Artest says Kings have title shot
Paul Coro
The Arizona Republic
Apr. 11, 2006 12:00 AM
SACRAMENTO - According to the current Western Conference standings, tonight's Suns-Kings game at Arco Arena is a first-round playoff preview.

According to Ron Artest's power ratings, the NBA season began when he started playing for Sacramento on Jan. 27. Since then, Sacramento and Phoenix have won the same number of games - 23.

His Kings are surging, having won six of their past seven. The Suns are slipping, having lost four of six and going 8-9 in the past five weeks.

Asked Tuesday whether Phoenix is vulnerable, Artest sat in a chair with his legs crossed on the Kings practice court and gave this answer without mentioning the Suns: "I think right now I know there's a couple teams that want to win championships. I know for a fact Detroit is one of them. I know for a fact that we're one of them. I see a couple teams that don't want to be champions. We've got to knock those teams out. There are teams that are in the playoffs and they're happy right now, but we want more."

Artest said the Kings would be like a No. 1 or No. 2 seed in the playoffs and would have finished second in the conference if they had been together all season.

"We're a much better team than the last time Phoenix saw us," Artest said.

The Suns have clinched the No. 2 seed, but the No. 7 spot is up for grabs between the deadlocked Kings and Lakers. Sacramento has the tiebreaker with four games left for each.

"We'll probably play Sacramento in the first round, so it's about time we dug our heels in and really came at somebody because we've been really playing lackadaisical," Suns guard Steve Nash said.

Suns coach Mike D'Antoni is not satisfied with the wane but does believe his team is "back on track," despite losing on a late shot Sunday at Seattle.

"We're back to who we are," he said. "We're as good as we can be. We'd like Kurt Thomas. We should have won (Sunday). You go to Seattle and win, and that's a pretty good win. We didn't score the last three minutes. That's not us. Playing Steve 30 minutes and Shawn (Marion) 32, that's not us. So I'm pretty happy about where we are. We're going to be OK."

Thomas is in Dallas to see his doctor. He has about two more weeks in his foot cast, making tonight a true possible playoff peek because Thomas would barely be starting rehabilitation during the first round.

The assumption is that Sacramento would rather see Phoenix with a 2-1 series edge and a 29-point drubbing in the Suns' only other visit.

"What, running and gunning for seven games?" Kings center Brad Miller said. "It doesn't matter at this point. We played San Antonio well this year. We played well against Phoenix. We don't care who we play at this point."

Sacramento coach Rick Adelman welcomed the playoff preview hype.

"It's the type of game where we have to be mentally into it the whole game because if we play that team, that's what it's going to take," Adelman said.

 

[Sac.Kings]

Ron sometimes bites off more than he can chew. Don't get me wrong, I love what he thinks of the kings and what they can accomplish but this is all going to seem stupid and for nothing if we lose in the 1st round. Its better to take it one step at a time, like he said.

 

[ForlornKing]

Well if you look at it, the King's have been playing as good as the Sun's since the trade.

Next year, + a few good moves in the offseason, we could bring back the Pacific and contend.

 

[Bricklayer]

Ron needs to stop this at some point here.

Somebody buy him a copy of Aesop's please and dog ear "The Boy Who Cried Wolf". You have to pick and choose your spots when practicing braggadicio or pretty soon people just tune you out as a windbag.

 

[Merdiesel]

You all were saying the same **** when he guaranteed we would make the playoffs now what, hell, I'm with him. We have just as much of a chance as any other team...

Would you like it if he said "eh if we're lucky we can make it past the 1st round..."

not me, i want my team to have some confidence...

I like how vocal Ron is, keeps some life in our team.


1. Thank Ron, we are making the playoffs just like you said.

2. and yes Ron i agree, you are the greatest defender in the game right now.

3. titled shot... hmmm...?

 

[FRANK_CASTLE]

Sounds like Ron Ron hasn't been taking his meds.

 

[VF21]

People are reading WAY too much into this. ALL Artest said was:

Asked Tuesday whether Phoenix is vulnerable, Artest sat in a chair with his legs crossed on the Kings practice court and gave this answer without mentioning the Suns: "I think right now I know there's a couple teams that want to win championships. I know for a fact Detroit is one of them. I know for a fact that we're one of them. I see a couple teams that don't want to be champions. We've got to knock those teams out. There are teams that are in the playoffs and they're happy right now, but we want more."

Artest said the Kings would be like a No. 1 or No. 2 seed in the playoffs and would have finished second in the conference if they had been together all season.

"We're a much better team than the last time Phoenix saw us," Artest said.

What's the problem with any of that? IMHO people need to quit micro-analyzing every single word that comes out of Artest's mouth AND all the different articles that are written around the same quote. This is the same thing that Amick wrote about, the exact same press access quotes.

Artest not taking his meds? Why? Because he's showing some confidence and saying the team wants to win?

I'm all for the confidence.

 

[BigWaxer]

I say let the guy talk.

Until he calls out our mothers this is not something to go all crazy on. He is the sole reason we are not fighting for a last place spot with Blazers. He can say what he wants as long as he backs it up. So far he has.

 

[HndsmCelt]

If folks are going to start a new thread every time Ron opens his yap this forum is going hit a gidlock before the season is out. Ron likes to talk it's his nature but really it is very foolish not to take every thing with a 2 lb grain of salt and quoting him just encourages him to keep talking.

 

[SacKings4Life21]

People are reading WAY too much into this. ALL Artest said was:



What's the problem with any of that? IMHO people need to quit micro-analyzing every single word that comes out of Artest's mouth AND all the different articles that are written around the same quote. This is the same thing that Amick wrote about, the exact same press access quotes.

Artest not taking his meds? Why? Because he's showing some confidence and saying the team wants to win?

I'm all for the confidence.

I must say it feels good to agree with the long tenured Kingsfans.com vet! But VF21 is completely right! Come on people, Ron is everything this Franchise has always needed. No matter what, in his eyes, we are the best. and he plays like it. All of his comments that get heat are comments I have been waitinf for Kings plays to make for years. Who cares if we loose in the first round... these comments inspire me as a die hard fan. Every day, every game, every time I see or hear from Ron, I start to believe that he truly is the one to take us to the top. His heart and passion for the game is top 10 in the league.

Meds? Ron is not the one who needs meds... its the other kings players who need meds to motivate thier lazy butts and play defense. Now I know we have been better since the Artest trade... but defensive starts in the mind, in the heart of the player. Brad miller has been playing career D for us since Artest has used his passion on the team.

Finally, Bibby is back to 2002 form. Hitting big shots and knowing that he is the man when he has to be, but being a PG when he should be. This team has western conference finals written all over them. Tonight will be a huge test in charecter. We win tonight, we could take that passion into the first round, beat them, and then face the 3/6, which is highly beatable. Who cares if we are over confident? Confidence is the only way to win, without it? We might as well go home.

Ron... I have loved your style since I first heard of you! Bring it to Sac town baby!

 

[Merdiesel]

People are reading WAY too much into this. ALL Artest said was:



What's the problem with any of that? IMHO people need to quit micro-analyzing every single word that comes out of Artest's mouth AND all the different articles that are written around the same quote. This is the same thing that Amick wrote about, the exact same press access quotes.

Artest not taking his meds? Why? Because he's showing some confidence and saying the team wants to win?

I'm all for the confidence.

Thank you!

the lame "Artest not taking his meds" comments are in my opinion waaaaay old, not funny, and never were funny. It sounds like something Lakers fans would say. So lets keep the bad comic routine to our selves please.

 

[VF21]

I think the poster in question is a Spurs fan... just a hunch.

 

[bozzwell]

He actually said: "I think right now I know there's a couple teams that want to win championships. I know for a fact Detroit is one of them. I know for a fact that we're one of them. I see a couple teams that don't want to be champions. We've got to knock those teams out. There are teams that are in the playoffs and they're happy right now, but we want more."

This is not BS. This is how it should be. Should players think how can they trade their teammates (or get traded themselves) to give themselves a shot next year or should they adopt Ron's attitude? For players, it's a competition, not a corporate development project.

When I saw the thread/article title I fully expected that Ron was promissing to sweep Detroit in the Finals and then roundhouse kick Chuck Norris into the next century. After reading the article, I could not agree more with Ronster.

 

[Bricklayer]

I'm all for our franchise guy not inadvertently making an *** out of himself, and us in the process.

And its important from a practical perspective, as well as an aesthetic one. The practical is this: it is absolutley critical that our team believe Ron when he starts spouting off NEXT year, and the year after, and the year after that. If he continues to run his mouth incessantly, starts to be proven wrong, eventually he will be tuned out as background noise.

You have to pick your spots. Unfortunately Ron is...not very saavy about such things. Eventually, after he has led us chasing after enough windmills, he will start losing the more stable thoughtful elements. Ron is a strong drink, and people have, and will, get burnt out on him if he cannot deliver consistently on his guarantees. It will become "Ron just being Ron" but with his teammates just shaking their heads when talking about him.

 

[VF21]

We will have to agree to disagree, Brick.

Seeing the difference in the team AND the way the local media is responding, I have to contend that Artest is - at this point in time - saying what needs to be said. I don't think he's made an *** of himself or us, and I honestly believe he's infused the team, the organization and the fanbase with a much needed shot of adrenalin.

I'm gonna enjoy it for as long as it lasts. At least he's not coming out with the canned and totally insincere, "We gotta try harder. We need to play like a team" crap we had been hearing. I'll take Artest's kind of comments any day of the week.

And again - This article, from the Phoenix newspaper, is based on the same comments Sam Amick wrote about in the Bee today. It's not different quotes, etc. It's just two different writers on the same quotes.

 

[G_M]

What is he REALLY saying? I think he's saying that the team wants to win the Championship....right? Well, I hope that's the philosophy until they get eliminated.

Seems fairly benign to me, no assurances no guarantees.

 

[KingCookie]

He's right- any team that has a playoff berth has a shot at the title...

 

[Kev.in]

It's a real stretch to say there is some reason why Ron shouldn't say things like this, an even bigger stretch than the Kings as legit title contenders this season.

 

[SacKings4Life21]

Does anyone realize that the clippers have beaten dever convincingly 3 out of the 4 meetings this season? Anyone realize that the clippers are and will remain the six seed (baring a crazy ressurgence)... anyone remember our record against the clippers? hmmmmm hmmmmmmmmm baby.

After tonights game, we will be able to acesssss da situation! (little dane cook line)... A win tonight will print confidence in the news for the kings vs suns 1st round. Second round is a likly clippers team...

Anyone feel WCF reunion? TD is hurting... Dallas is unproven (but i htink thye have best shot out of the west) and so I agree with Ron... we do have a shot this year to make the finals boyz...

Faith! and Confidence! Something this Kings organization has rarely seen...

 

[Merdiesel]

And you know why Ron says these kind of things...

BECAUSE HE CAN!

 

[MrBiggs]

What is he REALLY saying? I think he's saying that the team wants to win the Championship....right? Well, I hope that's the philosophy until they get eliminated.

Seems fairly benign to me, no assurances no guarantees.

Exactly my thoughts. Don't see him biting off anymore than he can chew. He learned his lesson when he guaranteed us the playoffs. He delivered but nobody took him seriously.

 

[Hoopsforlife]

Some of you guys are worrying about what Ron says to much. Just look at what he does. He was my favorite player when he was a Pacer. If you look at what has happened to each team since the trade its pretty self explanatory. (Its not because of Peja either.)

Ron just tells the truth as he sees it. Thats all, no more, no less. He was the glue that held the Pacers together. (People over here don't believe that but I do.) The only one who played defense every game. He could elevate the whole team with his desire and effort and has done it again with the Kings.

If he says the Kings can win it all you had better believe it. It can happen. I hope it does. The Pacers are not a good team right now and I think its because our teams defense moved to Sacramento. I miss him. Our games are boring and our team is really bad. But, there is always next year, year, year, year..........

 

[BigSong]

nothing in that article sounded over the top. people seem to be put off with ron's desire to win, but in all honestly if webb were here he'd probably be saying the same thing. I just don't get all the hype.

 

[LA King Fan II]

IMO at no time will we ever look back and say "that gosh dang Ron he was just smarter than us all along...." Um. He's not.

He's a very strong basketball player with great great defensive fundamentals. I don't think he's a great evaluator of potential champions.

He's been nothing less than a lovable knucklehead who says the darndest things. I don't think he's anything more. He's a bit of a Rodman without (it seems) as much of a dark side. As Celt' inferred, the comments figure to keep coming and if they pee off a team like Phoenix...who cares? Somehow losing to a team that wins with 3 point shooting isn't all that humiliating.

Remember Shaq's outlandish shots at the Kings. He confessed he was playing verbal games because lesser mortals play worse when they are mad. Personally I think Ron's a role model because of his talent. I doubt any of our future teams will rally around his logical assertions. He hasn't the background to offer them nor the strategic sense to make them valid.

 

[LA King Fan II]

I am wrong. It is very humiliating to get beaten by the Suns. Probably one of the worst losses ever.

 

[dukeswh]

Hmmmm... I can't seem to find in the article where Ron guarantees the Kings will win the championship. Might be something wrong with my eye.

 

[bigdog5142]

You know what...when we had Webber after the Vlade days...EVERY one of us on here said that we wanted SOMEONE to step up and take some leadership...well, we finally have someone who has a "killer" instinct. I don'tlike all that Artest is off of the court and yes, he's got some issues...but he's a heck of a basketball player and has brought REAL, FUNDAMENTAL basketball to Sacramento. Keep on playing defense and have a little swagger and who knows what this team can do. I don't think it's going to be this year either, but I sure like what I'm hearing from the team at this point. We're coming back...

 

[gman23]

People are reading WAY too much into this. ALL Artest said was:



What's the problem with any of that? IMHO people need to quit micro-analyzing every single word that comes out of Artest's mouth AND all the different articles that are written around the same quote. This is the same thing that Amick wrote about, the exact same press access quotes.

Artest not taking his meds? Why? Because he's showing some confidence and saying the team wants to win?

I'm all for the confidence.

AHMEN!!!!!

 

[quick dog]

Ron is good for the team. He talks a lot, but at least he has heart.

Now, if Ron could improve Bonzi's ball-handling, keep a fire under Brad's ****, make Kevin and Cisco play up to their potential, and force everyone, including himself, to consistently make free throws, the Kings would be in good shape.

Ron can not control the team. If he could, the Kings would win more games. If Bibby collapses in the playoffs, we are toast.

 

[SacKings384]

Correct me if I'm wrong... But it seems that Ron didn't even say "We have a shot at the title" he was saying that he felt that this team really wanted to win the title and that other teams in the playoffs didn't have that same hunger. Never did I get (from that quote) that he felt they were going to win.