Artest

[DocHolliday]

Things I notice instantly about Ron, and I started to see this in highlight clips, he plays with his upper body very stiff. I don't think I saw him run real fast once all night, not quite sure if he's not capable or he was getting fatigued early. Also, I thought he was a better ball handler. He looks like he dribbled about as well as peja, a.k.a not very good. Hopefully that's just a bit of rust

I do like the way he pesterds people defensively, and he has a solid stroke. Hopefully the way his percentage dropped off was just rust though.

 

[DocHolliday]

Ron's got great hands and yes he does always reach for the balls. Wait for about 15 - 20 games and his fingers will be all taped up from him reaching, and then his shooting suffers a little. His hands are quick, strong and huge. His fingers are so long

Rick better get him in post up situations, that is where he's best on offense. One thing that Ron does do that many Pacer fans did not like he hangs on to the ball too long.

We're used to that from Bibby. It won't bother us too much.

 

[playmaker0017]

We're used to that from Bibby. It won't bother us too much.

And Reef ...

God, it's obnoxious when he stands there waiting for the double rather than attacking and creating.

 

[DocHolliday]

Another thing I noticed. As aggressive as Artest is on defense you notice he doesn't get a lot of the BS calls called on him like a lot of the other Kings players do. I found that interesting.

 

[LoungeLizard]

Love what I saw from Ron, figured Bibby was due for a shooting night like he had. Once this team gets Bonzi back and a little consistency with the starting unit and the rotation we'll make the playoffs no problem. Because of the gap in the west this year, it won't take much higher than a .500 record to get the 8th seed. In fact, the 8 seed now is below .500 in the west.

One more thing, if I'm Ron, it's only a matter of time till I blow up on my interior players (Miller, Thomas) for letting guys like Kendrick Perkins fill up the stat sheets 13 pts 11 boards and 5 blks in 27 minutes. Are you serious?

 

[Hicks]

Reputation does wonders for a defender. Ron gets away with a lot that most don't because of it, just like the best shot blockers can hit your wrist with no call.

Anyway,

I think what you're all beginning to discover is that Ron is every bit as good as advertised. That there is indeed a reason the Pacers put up with his BS for so damn long, and it was quite a long time. He's that good.

 

[BawLa]

I would love to see Artest take Francisco under his wing and teach him some D. I see a lot of potential in Francisco being a great two-way player.

 

[playmaker0017]

I would love to see Artest take Francisco under his wing and teach him some D.

I really like to watch Garcia. He's got the hustle to him. He makes dumb mistakes, but he gives effort.

I think if Artest does teach him the right way to make those mistakes or to cover for them ... we'll be sitting pretty for a while!

 

[Hoopsforlife]

I would love to see Artest take Francisco under his wing and teach him some D. I see a lot of potential in Francisco being a great two-way player.

He worked with Danny Granger last summer alot. So I imagine he will work with anybody who wants to learn. Ron is a workaholic who is most comfortable on the practice and game floor. He will find somebody who he can workout with and wear them out.

You could see the effect he had on Danny Granger if you watched the Pacer game last night against Cleveland. Danny gives Ron credit for helping him. Earlier in the season Ron said he could be happy coming off the bench behind Granger if he had to.

I think you guys got the best player the Pacers had in this trade.

 

[Circa_1985_Fan]

Artest with legs? It did seem like everyone else picked up the intensity when RR was in. COME BACK BONZI!!!!!

Also: Can't wait for SAR to be 100%

Agree with you on the Bonzi thing, wholeheartedly, in fact! The SAR thing...not sure even at 100% what he can do, except for get in the way of the offensive flow, like he did before...seems to gum up the works, so to speak. Consistant scorer...commands a methodical pace in doing so, though.

 

[Kings113]

I'm back!

Absolutely delighted that we got Artest, I went wild around the room - his first game was pretty good for what he had coming in (time off, but he still worked out and stuff), loved seeing the coverage of the Kings/Celts on sportscenter.

Excited for him to get more games played, and to get Bonzi back and SAR fully back!

 

[Team Dime]

Love what I saw from Ron, figured Bibby was due for a shooting night like he had. Once this team gets Bonzi back and a little consistency with the starting unit and the rotation we'll make the playoffs no problem. Because of the gap in the west this year, it won't take much higher than a .500 record to get the 8th seed. In fact, the 8 seed now is below .500 in the west.

One more thing, if I'm Ron, it's only a matter of time till I blow up on my interior players (Miller, Thomas) for letting guys like Kendrick Perkins fill up the stat sheets 13 pts 11 boards and 5 blks in 27 minutes. Are you serious?

Very well said. I'm with ya 100% on that one. I was actually at the game last night. I ended up paying $180 from Stubhub since the game was sold out except for $275 apiece courtside seats. Let's just say I wasn't too happy with B-52's effort. Sure the 22 pts is nice, but it doesn't mean nearly as much when he's constantly giving up 2 footers to everyone, including the ball boy.