Countdown To Thursday, 3:30 PM - PDT (and STILL counting)

[SacKings7]

Stranger things have happened. I have been a little suprised how many people assume the Houston pick will be in the late 20s. It certainly can be as a healthy Houston team will be tough to beat. And if I was a betting man, I would put money on it being late 20s.

However, with TMac's and Yao's injury histories, Artests' let's say "chemistry X factor" and their role players needing to repeat last year's top contributions there is plenty of room for us to have a much better pick. Especially in the tough Western Conference.

Indeed. But it's wishful thinking at this point. If Alston can be the Rockets "Rajon Rondo", that is a very dangerous team. Not much depth other than SF from what I can see, but still. On paper, they are easily now a top 3 team in the West

 

[VF21]

Thank you guys so much for giving us Artest!!!! I think the trade works well for both teams since you guys werent going anywhere anyways, and we were contenders who needed that one last piece. Artest will work great with Adelman(great coach) just like two years ago. Good luck next year, and THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!

Um, no offense meant whatsoever, but I wouldn't be making room in the trophy case quite yet...

 

[NME]

Thank you guys so much for giving us Artest!!!! I think the trade works well for both teams since you guys werent going anywhere anyways, and we were contenders who needed that one last piece. Artest will work great with Adelman(great coach) just like two years ago. Good luck next year, and THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!

To paraphrase the songwriting of the great and recently departed Isaac Hayes:

You didn't have to take Artest like you did.
But you did, but you did.
AND I THANK YOU!

 

[River Rat]

Um, no offense meant whatsoever, but I wouldn't be making room in the trophy case quite yet...

Its definitely not a sure thing, but i would compare this trade to Rasheed going to Detroit. The FINAL piece. Now all we need is some luck and some HEALTH.

 

[SacKings7]

Its definitely not a sure thing, but i would compare this trade to Rasheed going to Detroit. The FINAL piece. Now all we need is some luck and some HEALTH.

You guys look great on paper, but that isn't everything. The Shaq and Kidd trades are evidence of that. I wouldn't get my hopes up until they actually play a season together

 

[VF21]

I wish you all the luck in the world. We actually thought Ron Artest would be a big help for us, too.

If we sound cynical it's because we're tired - very tired - of all the baggage Artest brought with him. I truly hope the reunion with Rick Adelman brings out the best in Ron Artest. I bear him no ill will.

But I'll give you the same advice the Pacers fans gave us:

Don't pay ANY attention to anything Artest says. Doing so will only break your heart.

Good luck.

 

[River Rat]

Indeed. But it's wishful thinking at this point. If Alston can be the Rockets "Rajon Rondo", that is a very dangerous team. Not much depth other than SF from what I can see, but still. On paper, they are easily now a top 3 team in the West

That would be very wishful thinking. Tmac last year missed almost 20 games and Yao missed half the season. With no 3rd guy, Tmac still lead the team to 55 win in the second half. 2 games away from 1st in the west. This year with a capable third guy, don't count on anything less than top 3. And BTW we are actually very deep.

Rafer Alston Aaron Brooks
Tmac Brent Barry
Artest Battier
Scola Landry
Yao Deke

Thats 10 deep with the weakest being PG. Hopefully Aaron steps up, i know you guys know about him. If he doesnt, we still have Barry and Francis capable of backup point. Man I AM EXCITED!!!!!! Seriously though, wouldnt you be if you had that squad?!

 

[rings4Kings]

Its definitely not a sure thing, but i would compare this trade to Rasheed going to Detroit. The FINAL piece. Now all we need is some luck and some HEALTH.

I agree luck and health are needed to win, but check back after next year when Artest is playing elsewhere, we got two first round picks from you and your team fell just short of its goal... No really, thank you J

 

[Löwenherz]

Its definitely not a sure thing, but i would compare this trade to Rasheed going to Detroit. The FINAL piece. Now all we need is some luck and some HEALTH.

I admire your fervor, but I'd suggest waiting for the beauty of hindsight before making those comparisons.

You guys just got Hannibal Lecter as a dinner guest; tell us if that's a good thing after the party.

 

[River Rat]

You guys look great on paper, but that isn't everything. The Shaq and Kidd trades are evidence of that. I wouldn't get my hopes up until they actually play a season together

I agree. But the difference is Phoeix gave up Marion for Shaq and had to change their whole style. Dallas gave up Harris and picks for a over the hill Kidd. The same picks that prevented them from getting Artest from you guys. Those are starters they game up. We gave up Bobby Jackson. I know you guys love him for nastalgic reasons, but he was no more than a shell of his old self last year with us. If things dont work out with Artest, we wont have to change the way we play.

 

[VF21]

Rafer Alston Aaron Brooks
Tmac Brent Barry
Artest Battier
Scola Landry
Yao Deke

Thats 10 deep with the weakest being PG. Hopefully Aaron steps up, i know you guys know about him. If he doesnt, we still have Barry and Francis capable of backup point. Man I AM EXCITED!!!!!! Seriously though, wouldnt you be if you had that squad?!

A lot of potential, and a lot of potential for total and complete disaster. If this Artest thing doesn't work out, you cannot even begin to imagine how you'll feel a year from now.

Enjoy your team and the excitement of what might be, but I think you're looking for enthusiasm from the wrong group of people.

As far as your team goes, Steve Francis does less than nothing for me, so knowing he's on your squad wouldn't fill me with anything but a yucky feeling in my stomach.

Again, good luck.If anyone can bring out the best in Ron Artest, it's our former coach. But your main worry should be about those voices RonRonMcBillBill seems to listen to way too often.

 

[River Rat]

I admire your fervor, but I'd suggest waiting for the beauty of hindsight before making those comparisons.

You guys just got Hannibal Lecter as a dinner guest; tell us if that's a good thing after the party.

No one can predict the future, but this is a message board and all us fans can do is speculate, so thats all im doing. There are risks yes, but as a Rockets fan, I can't help but be excited.

And I like your Hannibal Lecter comparison! Main course, Utah Jazz!!!!!

 

[SacKings7]

That would be very wishful thinking. Tmac last year missed almost 20 games and Yao missed half the season. With no 3rd guy, Tmac still lead the team to 55 win in the second half. 2 games away from 1st in the west. This year with a capable third guy, don't count on anything less than top 3. And BTW we are actually very deep.

Rafer Alston Aaron Brooks
Tmac Brent Barry
Artest Battier
Scola Landry
Yao Deke

Thats 10 deep with the weakest being PG. Hopefully Aaron steps up, i know you guys know about him. If he doesnt, we still have Barry and Francis capable of backup point. Man I AM EXCITED!!!!!! Seriously though, wouldnt you be if you had that squad?!

Your backcourt looks ok, but I'm not writing home about your backup bigs

 

[River Rat]

Your backcourt looks ok, but I'm not writing home about your backup bigs

What about our starting bigs?

 

[NoBonus]

t minus 30 minutes

 

[Capt. Factorial]

We gave up Bobby Jackson. I know you guys love him for nastalgic reasons, but he was no more than a shell of his old self last year with us.

I don't think anybody is suggesting that giving up Bobby is going to have any serious effect on the Rockets at all. The two question marks around here are the health of Yao/TMac and whether or not Artest "disrupts" the team. If all your pieces stay healthy and Ron isn't a disruptive force, sure, you look like top-three in the West. If injuries hit again and Ron acts up...hard to say.

Best of luck to you, and thanks for helping us get rid of a distraction (albeit a good player) that we didn't need during a rebuild. And thanks for Greene - it appears that Petrie was high on the kid.

 

[SacKings7]

I agree. But the difference is Phoeix gave up Marion for Shaq and had to change their whole style. Dallas gave up Harris and picks for a over the hill Kidd. The same picks that prevented them from getting Artest from you guys. Those are starters they game up. We gave up Bobby Jackson. I know you guys love him for nastalgic reasons, but he was no more than a shell of his old self last year with us. If things dont work out with Artest, we wont have to change the way we play.

That's a good point, but Artest can single-handedly destroy a team. I'm not saying he will, it's just always a possibility.

What about our starting bigs?

When healthy, I like them a lot. Scola was a great find

 

[River Rat]

I don't think anybody is suggesting that giving up Bobby is going to have any serious effect on the Rockets at all. The two question marks around here are the health of Yao/TMac and whether or not Artest "disrupts" the team. If all your pieces stay healthy and Ron isn't a disruptive force, sure, you look like top-three in the West. If injuries hit again and Ron acts up...hard to say.

Thats the thing though, we can't get more unhealthy than last year short of season ending injuries, and we still won 55 last year.

Best of luck to you, and thanks for helping us get rid of a distraction (albeit a good player) that we didn't need during a rebuild. And thanks for Greene - it appears that Petrie was high on the kid.

I think thats the beauty of this trade, and why fans of both sides are happy. Artest, a competitor who wants nothing but to WIN, doesn't really fit with a rebuilding team, while he fits perfectly with a contender. Donte Greene, full of potential, wouldve gotten no playing time on the Rockets, but fits perfectly with a rebuilding Kings. Perfect!

 

[NME]

The Clutch City board is claiming that the Rockets will hold a press conference at 5pm their time, so 3pm here.

 

[NoBonus]

t minus 93 seconds....

 

[NME]

Emphasis on "or so".....

 

[NoBonus]

C'mon... c'mon...

 

[creAtivetfh]

so are we looking at 5pm central time?

 

[FakeInjury]

Did it happen? I don't feel different

 

[Anthonysam]

soooo.....is he gone yet..im ready to celebrate...

 

[VF21]

When the official announcement is made, it will signal the end to this thread.

 

[NME]

Sorry, they meant August 14, 2009!

 

[NoBonus]

<taps fingers, looks at clock, frowns>

YAWN...

 

[gunks]

I feel like I'm the only one here who's gonna miss that crazy guy in purple...


Ah well. We're rebuilding so I'm not too torn up about it. Just means slightly more minutes at the 3 for Greene and possible JT.

I kinda wish it was Moore or Miller going though. What we really need is to free up minutes at the 4/5.


But hey, the return of Bjax!! Greene could be something special! (although I wish we got Dorsey, Donte screams chucker)...And the direction this team is going is pretty obvious now after season after season of wishy washy quick fixes and semi rebuilds.

Good luck to all Rockets fans. I'm hoping for an injury free season for you guys. If that squad stays healthy it'll give all those teams I hate (Lakers*,Spurs,Jazz) fits in the playoffs!

 

[mdme]

is it done yet???