CruzDude said:
But until Artest deal is done I think everything else trade wise in the NBA is held up. Once he goes to Warriors, or where ever, then GP has to do something. Maybe KT is one to go as he has value on a number of teams. Peja has to go become a perimeter guy who can put up 15-24 any night cause someone else on that team gets double teams all the time.
My fire is behind Skinner now and for several months. With no Bonzi until end of February and no SAR until likely early March, Kings can't last. I think it is ALL in GP's lap right now. Cause if not, the Maloofs may step in.
A couple of thoughts:
First, the more time passes, the more it becomes pretty obvious that Ron Artest is NOT the hot commodity some people thought. Maybe, just maybe, the majority of GMs in the league do know more than us mere mortals and aren't willing to put their faith in the Indiana nutcase. I honestly do NOT think trades are being held waiting to see what happens with him.
Now, about Petrie in general. The Maloofs are patient men but they're not above stepping in if they feel strongly. We've seen that before - talking to Phil Jackson's agent is a perfect case in point. If they were not happy with what Petrie is doing or, more importantly, NOT doing right now, I'm pretty sure they'd be mentioning it to him, which they might well have done.
There seem to be two prevailing opinions around here:
1. That Petrie acts in a vacuum with no input from or discussion with the Maloofs about possible trades, acquisitions, etc.
2. That Petrie is merely a figurehead and that the Maloofs are actually pulling the threads and making all the decisions.
Neither is true IMHO. Most likely, and most consistent with what we've heard, the Maloofs do not get involved in every decision made by their department heads, etc. They have the good sense to delegate responsibility and authority to those hired for such tasks. On the other hand, if there is something they feel strongly about, they will discuss it and - as any business owner - make sure their people are in tune with them.
If the Maloofs wanted Ron Artest, we'd have him. It would be a fait accompli. If the Maloofs wanted Petrie to do whatever it took to get this team limping into the playoffs, it would be happening.
Maloof Sports and Entertainment bought a franchise that had nothing going for it. The fans had jumped ship in such droves you could virtually walk to shore on their backs. The team was disheartened, disheveled, and discombobulated. They bought it, they retained SOME of the personnel, such as Jerry Reynolds and Geoff Petrie, and they brought in their own people. They started looking towards the future and within a couple of years we were starting to...gulp...win.
This is a team in transition. It happens to every franchise. The Maloofs, luckily, seem to have a better grasp on that than some of the "instant gratification" fans.
I, for one, have lived through the horrible, horrible years. I don't think we're headed back in that direction. I do firmly believe, however, that we're facing a couple of years of uncertainly, personnel changes, etc. And you know what? I think we'll survive.