Ron Artest...and determination

[Kev.in]

Not to try and one-up everybody, but I wanted Ron Artest in the '99 draft. Kings would've picked 16th that year but had to give it up because of a lottery protected pick we sent away in the trade to get Olden Polynice like 5 or 6 years before that. Man, I was mad when I found that out. But I guess it was worth it because when I saw Jim Gray on ESPN News talking about the deal I was doing fistpumps like MJ after he hit that series-ending shot over Craig Ehlo.

The offense was great, but I think it was sparked by his defense. There were some plays in that 4th where he took the intensity up another notch, usually to play some help defense like that play zeke04 mentions. He was having trouble getting past people and getting good shots before that. Once he stepped up the intensity on the defensive end, he started picking apart the Grizzlies on the other side.

 

[Troy]

I still don't think we've seen Ron at his best. I think his hip pointer is slowing him down and he is still getting into shape. He is looking very good though, he's had a few down games on the road trip, but Ron gives you the intangibles and doesn't care about stats. He is a winner from through and through and we have to do whatever we need to to keep him a King. You know how many teams will be gunning for him when his contract is up next year and they see he has kept his cool and only wants to win??? That kind of scares me to think about losing him. I'd ship off Bibby and Brad if needed to make room to pay him to stay. I know NY was his choice because he is from there, but he can still live there in the off season right? :-0

 

[16to93]

^^^ Yeah, because I've noticed that he does get beat off the dribble sometimes. That will happen though when you play so close to your man. Not trying to say mean stuff to him, because he really is a great player and has helped us alot!

 

[piksi]

Funny how we can dredge up threads where EVERYONE said they didn't want that lowlife scum and he's really not all that great and there is no way we'd ever want that kind of guy on our team.

Nice to see things change for the guy.

nobody really questioned his skills. It is head that is scary and still is. This is still a gamble. May blow up in our faces at any time. He has been nothing but professional so far. As long as it stays that way - he will have support.

 

[Troy]

nobody really questioned his skills. It is head that is scary and still is. This is still a gamble. May blow up in our faces at any time. He has been nothing but professional so far. As long as it stays that way - he will have support.

More than support, this guy is the definition of a warrior. Anyone who is as passionate about winning....doing what it takes.....doesn't care about stats....has single handedly made his teamates better and taught them how to defend and believe in themselves (ex Cisco)....is unselfish and will pass to a team mate eventhough he knows he would probably make the basket is someone very special.

He is the Kings's franchise player and I'd trade anyone on this current team before I'd lose him. I'm a believer!!! Ron you've made it fun to watch this team again and have righted the plane from it's downward spiral, with you we believe....in Ron we Trust and have faith. I'm going to cry now

......And to you people who hear Ron's name mentioned too much in the telecast.....shut the hell up...you are making me sick, you don't deserve to have him on your team.

 

[bigbadred00]

nobody really questioned his skills. It is head that is scary and still is. This is still a gamble. May blow up in our faces at any time. He has been nothing but professional so far. As long as it stays that way - he will have support.

We were gambling with our teams future as well with Peja at the fore-front. The team, the fans were getting restless. Maybe we took a risk with Artest, but it would also be a big risk of keeping Peja this year seeing how bad we were. Additionally Peja could have left our friendly confines anyway without thinking. Atleast we took a half year chance (the remaining Peja contract) and put it into Artest for 2.5 years. It quickly looks like it could be a very nice success. Then again your right it could be a failure, that's true with every player in the league b/c of injuries or other outside factors.

I'd rather take a chance with a player who is passionate about the game then a guy who plays soft much of the time.

 

[6th]

Being a die hard Pacer ,and Artest fan, am glad he is doing good with the Kings. He'll always be one of my most enjoyable players to watch. The guy won't give up on either end of the court.....Yes, he had some problems with the P's, but I feel many of those were from the teamates. Here's hoping the Kings will make the playoffs,and make a splash. I was not at all happy with the Pega trade, but both players have been good for the new teams. Here's wishing I could watch more of the K's games. Show the WCT's what the K's have.

Exactly. That is exactly what the Kings are doing. Hopefully, they will keep it up.

p.s. Welcome to KingsFans.com. We have picked up a few Pacer fans, and we are very happy to have them and their love of the game.

 

[6th]

We were gambling with our teams future as well with Peja at the fore-front. The team, the fans were getting restless. Maybe we took a risk with Artest, but it would also be a big risk of keeping Peja this year seeing how bad we were. Additionally Peja could have left our friendly confines anyway without thinking. Atleast we took a half year chance (the remaining Peja contract) and put it into Artest for 2.5 years. It quickly looks like it could be a very nice success. Then again your right it could be a failure, that's true with every player in the league b/c of injuries or other outside factors.

I'd rather take a chance with a player who is passionate about the game then a guy who plays soft much of the time.

Word!!!

p.s. I borrowed that for my signature line. I, of course, gave you credit.

 

[beemerr23]

He is a beast, Dallas sure is going to have a fun time guarding Artest in the post. He will eat the defenders alive in the post.

you do realize dampier and diop are probably the best shot blocking combination in the league right? lol

but great game by the kings and a gg by Ron, 19 points in the 4th is huge!

 

[Kings113]

Ron is indeed, still getting into game-shape, but it's improved well.

 

[VF21]

I admit it. I didn't want Artest.

I will eat a large serving of crow before, during and after every game over that.

I don't care about who wanted or didn't want him. What I'm totally psyched about is that our team is back. It's the Kings out there on the court again, and not just a bunch of guys who happened to get together for a pick-up game and decided to get matching uniforms.

Artest brought spirit, hope, determination and grit to this team. He is the WARRIOR KING. And, if nothing else, his commitment to playing all out on both ends of the court for all 48 minutes pretty much dares the rest of the team to keep up or get out of the way. I like that...a lot.

Yes, I was wrong. WRONG. And I've never been happier about being wrong in my whole life.

 

[thesanityannex]

I admit it. I didn't want Artest.

I will eat a large serving of crow before, during and after every game over that.


Yes, I was wrong. WRONG. And I've never been happier about being wrong in my whole life.

At least you have admitted it. And once he was traded here, you gave him the benefit of the doubt, which is very respectable. So...........how have you been cooking your crow these days?



P.S.- remember that stuff that disappeared a few days ago, when we were discussing the emoticons and whatnot, well this one actually does mean sarcastic, if you read what it says when you hover the mouse over it.

 

[Entity]

I realize saying your wrong is a huge step. but is there anyway possible you can say. Entity you were right and i will listen to you from now one because you have great insight and know what is best for the Kings. By the way other than drafting a 4/5 guy i am happy with everybody on the team. Maybe Hart, Corlis, Potempeko for a 7 footer about 300 pounds skill not neccesarry

 

[JJ22L]

I wanted him first! I wanted him going to Sac City instead of St Johns right out of high school! Me! Me! listen to me!

damn...beat me to it <img>

 

[VF21]

I realize saying your wrong is a huge step. but is there anyway possible you can say. Entity you were right and i will listen to you from now one because you have great insight and know what is best for the Kings.

No.

 

[Entity]

Oh ok just wondering

 

[kennadog]

I have no problem admitting that the Artest trade has worked out great and I was one of the ones that didn't want to do that particular trade. It was never anything against Ron personally and I always knew he was a great player, especially defensively. However, I will probably be holding my breathe for quite awhile about what could happen with Ron, the person and what it could do to the Kings. I am seriously hoping to be wrong about about that, too.

 

[Entity]

I hate to dwell on this but, I have to say it again. Getting Ron in the trade for Peja was just a bonus. I truely feel and have felt for 2 years now that a Peja being gone is addition by subtraction. Getting Artest is just icing on the cake.

 

[kingkung]

I hate to dwell on this but, I have to say it again. Getting Ron in the trade for Peja was just a bonus. I truely feel and have felt for 2 years now that a Peja being gone is addition by subtraction. Getting Artest is just icing on the cake.

Yeah, if your cake is 90% icing...

 

[VF21]

I'm thinking we should just let the past go. This thread is dedicated to Ron Artest and what he's done for our team so far. I really don't think we need to turn it into something else...

 

[SacKings4Life21]

I wanted him 3 years ago. Just imagine how dangerous we could have been.

me to!!! rememeber the rumor of peja and christie for harrington and ron? wat da heecckkk was we tinkin! both young at the time... young stil now.... wa ygood now lol... we coud have won it with miller web ron peeler mike... we would have gotte nanother sg somewhere... peeler was the only one i thoguht of from that time period. could ron play the 2 and put al at the 3? i bet he could

 

[VF21]

Could you please type whole words? It's really difficult to read your posts.