Question: Do you think anything might happen with the "rumor" of Ron Artest for Peja Stojakovic? Ron is a great all-around player who has shown improvement this past last year, but that means nothing if he doesn't really play when it counts. Peja does. If the "rumor" becomes reality, do you think Peja would be good for the Pacers? (Matt from Indianapolis)
Answer: I believe that trade remains a possibility, but not until late September or early October.
I don't know that you can say Artest doesn't play when it counts and Stojakovic does. Artest didn't play well consistently against the Pistons, but was very good against the Celtics and Heat. Stojakovic played poorly in the playoffs this past season and was criticized by many people in Sacramento -- including Chris Webber -- but he played very well in the 2003 postseason. It's too early to brand either player a "choker."
As for whether Artest or Stojakovic is better for the Pacers, that could be debated endlessly. And if you listen to local talk radio, it will be. Artest is obviously a far better defender, and defense wins championships (so they tell us).
Stojakovic's shooting ability would open up the court and allow players such as Jamaal Tinsley, Stephen Jackson and Jonathan Bender to penetrate. If you add him to Reggie Miller, Bender and Jackson, the Pacers would have one of the best shooting teams in the NBA. But every time another player goes off for 30 against them, people would long for Artest.
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Interesting him saying if it happens it wont until, what sounds like, mid-September early October.
Also some interesting points I found on the Indystar message board.
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Montieths answers about the Artest trade have always been the same. if it happens it will be in Sept. or Oct. This tells me 3 things.
1] The Pacers and Sac. have had trade talks.
2] Sac. is going to try to smooth things out with Padra, or trade Webber, up to the last minute.
3]If niether happen, the trade could very well go down.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
I think the whole Bird article on Ron Artest this last weekend was a cover my butt article so as not to destroy chemistry.
A few points of evidence.
1. Artest has not spoken to Larry Bird during this time. You'd think after he'd had skipped out of the final meeting that they'd meet to discuss something like this if it weren't true.
2. Follow the quotes. Larry Bird was quoted as saying that he wouldn't mind seeing another really good shooters to help spread the offense, which helps Carlisle's system. Then to turn around and say that the Artest trades are bogus two days later.
and
3. No players quoting on the Artest-Peja talk. The teammates are usually the biggest factor in trades because they have to put up with the guy that comes in or don't want the going out to go out. But you haven't heard a single Pacer mention whether or not they want Artest to stay. That's a bit dangerous, you think?
I think the whole Bird article on Ron Artest this last weekend was a cover my butt article so as not to destroy chemistry.
A few points of evidence.
1. Artest has not spoken to Larry Bird during this time. You'd think after he'd had skipped out of the final meeting that they'd meet to discuss something like this if it weren't true.
2. Follow the quotes. Larry Bird was quoted as saying that he wouldn't mind seeing another really good shooters to help spread the offense, which helps Carlisle's system. Then to turn around and say that the Artest trades are bogus two days later.
and
3. No players quoting on the Artest-Peja talk. The teammates are usually the biggest factor in trades because they have to put up with the guy that comes in or don't want the going out to go out. But you haven't heard a single Pacer mention whether or not they want Artest to stay. That's a bit dangerous, you think?
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Just when I was beginning to think the trade will not happen, and not want it to happen [Until I saw USA basketball, dumb reason but oh well.] It would make sense to happen from all of this.
Answer: I believe that trade remains a possibility, but not until late September or early October.
I don't know that you can say Artest doesn't play when it counts and Stojakovic does. Artest didn't play well consistently against the Pistons, but was very good against the Celtics and Heat. Stojakovic played poorly in the playoffs this past season and was criticized by many people in Sacramento -- including Chris Webber -- but he played very well in the 2003 postseason. It's too early to brand either player a "choker."
As for whether Artest or Stojakovic is better for the Pacers, that could be debated endlessly. And if you listen to local talk radio, it will be. Artest is obviously a far better defender, and defense wins championships (so they tell us).
Stojakovic's shooting ability would open up the court and allow players such as Jamaal Tinsley, Stephen Jackson and Jonathan Bender to penetrate. If you add him to Reggie Miller, Bender and Jackson, the Pacers would have one of the best shooting teams in the NBA. But every time another player goes off for 30 against them, people would long for Artest.
__________________________________________________
Interesting him saying if it happens it wont until, what sounds like, mid-September early October.
Also some interesting points I found on the Indystar message board.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Montieths answers about the Artest trade have always been the same. if it happens it will be in Sept. or Oct. This tells me 3 things.
1] The Pacers and Sac. have had trade talks.
2] Sac. is going to try to smooth things out with Padra, or trade Webber, up to the last minute.
3]If niether happen, the trade could very well go down.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
I think the whole Bird article on Ron Artest this last weekend was a cover my butt article so as not to destroy chemistry.
A few points of evidence.
1. Artest has not spoken to Larry Bird during this time. You'd think after he'd had skipped out of the final meeting that they'd meet to discuss something like this if it weren't true.
2. Follow the quotes. Larry Bird was quoted as saying that he wouldn't mind seeing another really good shooters to help spread the offense, which helps Carlisle's system. Then to turn around and say that the Artest trades are bogus two days later.
and
3. No players quoting on the Artest-Peja talk. The teammates are usually the biggest factor in trades because they have to put up with the guy that comes in or don't want the going out to go out. But you haven't heard a single Pacer mention whether or not they want Artest to stay. That's a bit dangerous, you think?
I think the whole Bird article on Ron Artest this last weekend was a cover my butt article so as not to destroy chemistry.
A few points of evidence.
1. Artest has not spoken to Larry Bird during this time. You'd think after he'd had skipped out of the final meeting that they'd meet to discuss something like this if it weren't true.
2. Follow the quotes. Larry Bird was quoted as saying that he wouldn't mind seeing another really good shooters to help spread the offense, which helps Carlisle's system. Then to turn around and say that the Artest trades are bogus two days later.
and
3. No players quoting on the Artest-Peja talk. The teammates are usually the biggest factor in trades because they have to put up with the guy that comes in or don't want the going out to go out. But you haven't heard a single Pacer mention whether or not they want Artest to stay. That's a bit dangerous, you think?
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Just when I was beginning to think the trade will not happen, and not want it to happen [Until I saw USA basketball, dumb reason but oh well.] It would make sense to happen from all of this.
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