Cavs vs. Pacers

[4cwebb]

Good matchup for turkey day --- I'm looking forward to the Artest vs. James battle. I watched Artest destroy Richard Jefferson a couple of weeks ago b/c he was simply to strong for Jefferson to handle. I'd love to be able to watch Artest and James battle.

 

[4cwebb]

End of the first quarter: Pacers 25, Cavs 15. Artest with 6, James with 1 (on 0-4 shooting).

 

[SoupIsGood]

James is coooold

 

[4cwebb]

End of First Half: Pacers up 47-30. Artest with 11 on 3-8 shooting. Zero fouls.

James with 4 on 1-9 shooting. Two fouls. Looks at this point as if the Cavs have been feasting on a relatively easy schedule.

 

[4cwebb]

End of the 3rd quarter: Pacers winning 68-52. James 4-16 for 15 points, to go with 10 boards, 4 assists and 5 turnovers. Artest with 19 points on 6-12 shootings, 4 boards (3 offensive), no assists and 2 turnovers.

 

[4cwebb]

Well, this didn't turn out to be a good game after all. Cavs couldn't hit the broad side of a barn in the first half, and never really made a serious push in the second. Pacers win by 20+.

 

[6th]

98-76 Indiana blowout.......wasn't even much fun. Actually, I am always happy when the Pacers win (except when they play the Kings, of course).

 

[bozzwell]

Did we ever find out id Pedja-for-Arters rumour was a pure fantasy or if there was something to it? Because if it was a possibility I'd like to know who initiated it?

 

[Bricklayer]

Did we ever find out id Pedja-for-Arters rumour was a pure fantasy or if there was something to it? Because if it was a possibility I'd like to know who initiated it?

I have no idea really. Been so much smoke from so many sources over the last couple of years that you would think there was something there, but I truthfully don't recall where the reports/rumors first started from. Media generated? Somebody in Indiana? Seems much less likely now, but i have to admit, the possibilities of a Bonzi/Artest pairing are both exciting and terrifying.

 

[bozzwell]

I have no idea really. Been so much smoke from so many sources over the last couple of years that you would think there was something there, but I truthfully don't recall where the reports/rumors first started from. Media generated? Somebody in Indiana? Seems much less likely now, but i have to admit, the possibilities of a Bonzi/Artest pairing are both exciting and terrifying.

I remember that reports were contradictory. Indiana papers reported that we offered the deal and most national and Sacramento media reported the opposite was true. Watching Artest tonight and listening to O'Neil talk about him, I am starting to think that Ron-Ron is going to do exceptionally well in this league. He's already an all star, but he could be really *special*.

 

[Kings113]

Well, this didn't turn out to be a good game after all. Cavs couldn't hit the broad side of a barn in the first half, and never really made a serious push in the second. Pacers win by 20+.

Yeah, agreed. I expected something to get going in the 2nd half, but nope. Very good win for the Pacers given 2 or 3 of their last ones.

Game definitely didn't end up as good as I thought it'd be though (generally).

 

[karesk]

Reggie Miller is annoying. He shouldn't do the Pacers games.

 

[4cwebb]

Reggie Miller is annoying. He shouldn't do the Pacers games.

A bit of the Steve Kerr factor? I find Kerr to be a competent play-by-play guy, unless he's working a Spurs' game.

 

[4cwebb]

Watching Artest tonight and listening to O'Neil talk about him, I am starting to think that Ron-Ron is going to do exceptionally well in this league. He's already an all star, but he could be really *special*.

I think that's why there were plenty of members of this forum keen on making an Artest for Peja swap when the rumors were really flying around. Regardless of Artest's craziness, he's an absolute animal on the court on both ends of the floor, not to mention a very smart player, and he'd have been a great compliment to a team with two big guys in Webber and Miller who don't have dominant post games. There are very few SFs in the league with Artest's strength --- he just bullies guys down on the block, but does it in a way in which he doesn't pick up a lot of cheap fouls. I would've really liked to have seen him work on both ends of the floor against "King" James (b/c James is one of the few SFs in the league who is a match for Artest's strength, or at least appears to be).

 

[SoupIsGood]

^James probably coud match Artest's strength but it doesn't seem like he has learned to use his strength like Ron does. Ron exerts a lot of force on the other player and bullies, LeBron doesn't seem to do the same....

 

[bozzwell]

I think that's why there were plenty of members of this forum keen on making an Artest for Peja swap when the rumors were really flying around. Regardless of Artest's craziness, he's an absolute animal on the court on both ends of the floor, not to mention a very smart player, and he'd have been a great compliment to a team with two big guys in Webber and Miller who don't have dominant post games. There are very few SFs in the league with Artest's strength --- he just bullies guys down on the block, but does it in a way in which he doesn't pick up a lot of cheap fouls. I would've really liked to have seen him work on both ends of the floor against "King" James (b/c James is one of the few SFs in the league who is a match for Artest's strength, or at least appears to be).

Before his suspension, I thought that Artest for Pedja trade would be slightly uneven in favour of the team getting Pedja. I've been watching Artest since he came into the league with Bulls. He was traded by the Bulls in part because he intimidated his own teammates as much as he did opposing OG's/SF's. There was no denying his talent and athleticism or his basketball instincts, but his teammates could not help but hear the tick-tock sound coming from his direction. Now that the bomb has exploded and a year later Artest is playing better then ever, considering O'Neils comments and with Artest being every bit as efficient on offense as Pedja, I would really like to know who initiated and who shot down the trade.

If it was Bird making the offer, he really lucked out by being rejected. Opposite is true if GP made the offer.