Everyone knows the Lakers have been my team for as long as I’ve been watching basketball. The latest rumor in Lakerland involves a trade for Indiana’s Ron Artest and Toronto’s Jalen Rose.
Indiana is nearing a three-team trade that would send swingman Ron Artest to the Los Angeles Lakers, a league source has told ProBasketballNews.com.
Meanwhile, Lakers forward Devean George would end up in Indiana.
The third team involved in the proposed trade is the Toronto Raptors, according to the source. The Raptors would send Jalen Rose to Los Angeles — and in return receive Pacers forward Austin Croshere and at least one player from the Lakers.
This news was taken from probasketballnews.com. Now as a Laker fan people have asked me if Artest is worth the trouble. All I can say is that Kobe is at the eve of his prime years and what the Lakers lack is a player who can play defense and score. I think if the Lakers do land Artest is shoots their power-ranking up at least 10 spots. With the addition of Jalen Rose playing at Point Guard, we can use Smush of the bench and Sasha can be waived. Im crossing my fingers.
if he would go to LA, it would be like Rodman ending up in Chicago and before that he was having problems in San Antonio but played very well for the Bulls. Maybe Phil Jackson can get some sense into Artest’s head and get him to play decent basketball. Yeah, the Lakers do need someone to do the dirty work.
Oi; I’m sad to say that this doesn’t bode well for my fantasy basketball team, which relies heavily on Kobe Bryant.
drat.
hehe..i also have several fantasy nba teams but i don’t have Kobe in any team..but i do have Artest..but who knows, Artest’s presence in LA could open up more opportunities for Kobe. Defense leading to Offense or less double teams on Kobe, right?
Possibly. Having Kobe on your team isnt good because of his FG percentages. They really bog your fantasy team down, particularly in those Roto leagues. I prefer Head to Head combat.
On a sidenote, Kobe is suspended two games for that intentional elbow. I would like to hear why Kobe admitted to doing it too.. Im kinda disappointed that Kobe took it that far. Then again, I’ve done some really stupid things when guys piss me off too.
I don’t think having Artest would really help the team. As much as Kobe shoots, Artest would never get his hands on the ball… ;)
making this move will most likely end up in two extremes. it could be the greatest move ever bringing the lakers back close to being elite or it could be the worst move ever causing the lakers down a downward spiral. both cases are every possible. considering talent, they could be very tough. but throw in pride and artest’s temper, it could go wrong. if i was the gm, i’d figure that there’s a chance we wont make the playoffs again so its well worth the risk.
I think Artest would be great for the Lakers due to several reasons:
1)Phil Jackson likes him(and Phil Jackson dealt with a loose cannon in Dennis Rodman)
2) Lakers lack offense and mainly defense, which Artest is capable of.(The team shouldn’t just rely on Kobe to score 30 points every game)
3) I can just see Jackson strengthen the team around Kobe,Odom, and Artest.(personally, I think the combination of Odom and Artest alone would be deadly.I think they’re friends too.)
4)Lakers have players to trade that would interest the pacers:george,bynum,and Brown. (Brown was one of the players the pacers wanted a while ago.)
There are risks pretty much in every trade,especially Artest, but I definitely would trade for Artest.I’m sure Jackson would too.(Jackson loves this guy.)
As for Jalen Rose, why the hell would you trade for rose if you have a good chance of getting Artest?
As for the guy (above) who doubts that the Lakers can make the playoffs, I totally disagree. I think the Lakers are just getting better and better. I can see the Lakers at 6th or 7th. Teams like timberwolves, kings,nuggets are slipping slowly. So there’s definitely a chance for the Lakers to make the playoffs.
“If not Lakers, then Spurs.”
I think they have to get artest I love his hustle and his heart yes sure he is a head case but I remember this game against the spurs and he shut ginoboli down like it wasn’t nothing he was all over the place stealing the ball from tony parker this dude if he got his mind right could be a force because he play both sides of the ball can you imagine him and kobe on the same team?
i said “there’s a chance we won’t make the playoffs again.” not “they’re not gonna make it! no way!” a chance means both ways. and they would get rose because they need another team, in this case toronto, to be involved so the trade could be done. i agree, phil is probably the best coach to control artest, but michael jordan did play a big role in policing him as well.
I THINK IF THE LAKERS DO LAND RON ARTEST IT WOULD TAKE THEM FROM A 50/50 SHOT OF MAKING THE PLAYOFFS TO A 75/25 CHANCE. ONE GUY COULD MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE ESPECIALLY A OFFENSIVE AND DEFFENSIVE GUY LIKE ARTEST. THROW IN JALEN ROSE IN THE MIX, I WOULDN’T MIND ROSE PLAYING THE POINT. THAT WOULD MAKE THE PLAYOFF HUNT A LIL MORE INTERESTING FOR THE LAKESHOW. KOBE, ODOM, ARTEST, AND ROSE COULD DO DAMAGE IN THE PLAYOFFS AND SHOULD MOTIVATE ALL FOUR OF THEM TO BE A CHAMPIONSHIP CONTENDING TEAM. OH, DID I MENTION PHIL JACKSON IS THE HEAD COACH OF THE LAKESHOW. PRETTY MUCH BRINGS UP THE SAME SCENERIO HE WENT THROUGH IN CHICAGO WITH RODMAN. I WONDER HOW THAT TURNED OUT.
I think if the lakers get ron artest. Then they well make the playoff for sure. Cause ron artest plays good soild defense. And pulse he is a good offensive player. He averge 21 or 22 points per game. A good shoot blocker too. And pulse gives out assists. But kobe, ron artest on the same team pulse lamar odom oweeeeeeeeee.
i dont think that will happen