Agent: Artest wants to remain a Pacer

[greasywheels121]

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/arti...RTS04/512100493

 

Artest to Pacers: Trade me

'I think they will be a better team without me'

By Mike Wells

 

Injured forward Ron Artest wants to return to the court, but not to the Indiana Pacers.

 

In a 20-minute interview Saturday, Artest for the first time publicly said he wants to be traded. He calmly described the issues he has with his role on the team, his head coach and his past, and said the team would be better off without him.

 

"I still think my past haunts me here," Artest said. "I think somewhere else I'm starting fresh. I'm coming in with baggage but people already know about it and how I'm going to be. Either they're going to be for me or they're not going to trade for me. Here I think my past haunts me.

 

"I think they will be a better team without me."

 

Coach Rick Carlisle called his forward "one of the elite talents in the league."

 

"You never want to lose someone like that," Carlisle said Saturday.

 

The Pacers lost Artest for 73 games after the Nov. 19 brawl last season. They stuck with him even though he said his suspension essentially ruined their season. Now the Pacers might be forced to trade him in order to salvage an already trying season.

 

"I think I cause a lot of problems here," said Artest, who has missed the past two games with a wrist injury. "If the trade rumors, if there is any truth -- maybe it won't be a bad thing. They probably could win more games without me."

 

Team President Larry Bird was scouting in Europe and could not be reached for comment. Pacers CEO Donnie Walsh was surprised by Artest's request and said the franchise would decide the next step.

 

"I've never heard him say anything before," said Walsh, who acquired Artest in a trade in 2002. "He hasn't talked to me, and I see him every day."

 

Walsh called this latest development a distraction and chided Artest's handling of the situation.

 

"He can always come up and talk to me or Larry Bird," Walsh said. "From here on out, I expect Ronnie to be a professional. . . . (This) isn't the best way to get a trade done."

 

Until Saturday, Artest's season had been relatively stress-free. He remains one of the team's hardest workers. He hasn't irritated game officials and has reached out more to teammates off the court.

 

It's on the court that he's had problems fitting in with Carlisle's system.

 

Artest is second on the team in shot attempts and scoring at 19.4 points, but he thinks his style disrupts the offense.

 

"I'm so demanding of the ball. It's not my fault," he said. "Every time somebody is on me it's a mismatch. It messes up the offense. I like Coach (Carlisle) as a person, but I don't like playing for Coach. I like my team, though."

 

The Pacers run a structured offense in which Carlisle calls out most plays. That frustrates Artest, who has complained about the system in the past. Artest also took issue with practices. He thinks they're too soft.

 

"Don't get it twisted. He's a very good coach," Artest said. "He knows what he's doing. I personally don't like playing for him. I would not want to see him get fired for me after all the immaturity I've been through with this organization."

 

Getting offers for Artest won't be difficult -- Artest is a former All-Star and Defensive Player of the Year. But getting equal value in return could be. Artest makes $6.5 million this season, paltry by All-Star standards. Because of the salary cap, NBA trades are as much about matching salaries as swapping talent. Most players of Artest's ability make much more money, meaning the Pacers won't get a player of his caliber unless they include other Pacers in the deal.

 

What teams interest Artest?

 

His hometown New York Knicks.

 

"If I go to the West Coast, I would come back to New York after my contract is up," Artest said. "I would go to Cleveland. I wouldn't mind coming off the bench behind LeBron James. There's a lot of players I wouldn't mind coming off the bench behind. If it was a perfect world, I would be going to New York."

 

Artest seeks a system in which he can score more, which would lead to a bigger contract when his expires in 2008. He has a player option for $8.5 million for the 2008-09 season.

 

"Here I don't think I'm going to have a chance to maximize my opportunity for my potential," he said. "When I first got here, all I wanted to do was play defense. I never really cared about offense, but what I see is players like Kobe (Bryant), Tracy (McGrady), (Gilbert) Arenas and Jermaine (O'Neal) getting the opportunity to maximize their potential on the court and to get paid. I'm out of my character a little bit here.

 

"I don't think I'm going to maximize my opportunity just playing defense. I have to show I'm one of the premier players on offense on the wing. So when it's that time, there's no question what type of player I am."

 

Artest said he will take a few more days to decide when he is ready to return from his wrist injury.

 

But the question is: Will he be a Pacer when he returns?

[Heads22]

Dammit.

[greasywheels121]

He probably won't be here much longer, and he shouldn't be, if he's going to start this stuff up. But the Pacers will do this right and won't come out of this any worse; therefore, there's really no possible way for him to end up in NY. The Knicks have nobody.

[DBAHO]

Isiah Thomas "But, but I can give you Quentin Richardson and Malik Rose!!!!!!!!".

 

There were rumors of a Peja for Artest swap yesterday. That makes a lot of sense on both sides.

 

And I'd love to have him on Orlando, but we've already got Hill and Hedo for the SF position, which is a shame because he'd really help make our defense even better, and would probably be more of a scoring option with Francis actually passing the ball and playing wel, and Dwight still trying to get a low post game.

[greasywheels121]

I forgot about that rumor, but yeah, that's definitely been a rumor of the past couple years. I wouldn't be surprised to see that happen, and I'd be pretty pleased with that.

[DBAHO]

I forgot about that rumor, but yeah, that's definitely been a rumor of the past couple years.  I wouldn't be surprised to see that happen, and I'd be pretty pleased with that.

I wonder if that happened if the Pacers would be able to lock up Peja long - term, and then the Bulls would miss out on him in FA.

[WHarris1]

We will take him back with open arms.

[DBAHO]

We will take him back with open arms.

What would you offer. I'd imagine the Pacers would probably want Luol Deng as a part of a package.

[WHarris1]

I'd imagine the Pacers would probably want Luol Deng as a part of a package.

Eh they can screw off if that's the case.

[greasywheels121]

[nitetrain8601]

Artest also plays SG. In fact I think he starts at SG and Jackson at SF. Orlando could stick him there if they were able to trade for him.

 

Here's what I said about him on the Bulls board:

 

I think he's mentioned his upbringing as being a reason why the way he is. Honestly, I don't mind him demanding the trade. If the Pacers came out and said they wanted to trade Artest for what he did or anyone else for that matter, people would've said they're right, but if Artest admits the situation, he is crazy. I think there is a double standard.

 

He's a nice guy and he has been on his best behavior this year. I think what he's saying is right. I just wish his life wasn't the way it is because if you ever get to meet him off the court(save the Piston joke) he is a nice guy. If it wasn't for his history, he wouldn't be as underrated as he is today. He's a top 5 SG and in a league that includes Kobe, Wade, and Allen, that's pretty damn good.

[3 BeWareTheNewSox 5]

Come on Pax, send Ben and Thomas, give me back Artest and some benchwarmer, and elevate the team

[SSH2005]

Come on Pax, send Ben and Thomas, give me back Artest and some benchwarmer, and elevate the team

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I would make that trade in a second, if it was possible. Artest was fine with us because the Bulls were making him take Ritalin or something.

 

PG Duhon / Hinrich

SG Artest

SF Deng

PF Sweetney

C Chandler

 

That lineup would be sweet.

[whitesoxfan99]

Eh they can screw off if that's the case.

 

You wouldn't trade Deng for Artest?

[DBAHO]

Come on Pax, send Ben and Thomas, give me back Artest and some benchwarmer, and elevate the team

Larry Bird and Donnie Walsh would be laughing pretty hard at that offer I'd imagine.

[Jordan4life_2007]

You wouldn't trade Deng for Artest?

 

If I knew I would get a sane Artest for 82 games, i'd trade Deng for him in a second. Fortunately, that's never the case.

[3 BeWareTheNewSox 5]

Larry Bird and Donnie Walsh would be laughing pretty hard at that offer I'd imagine.

 

They've been scouting Ben though, they want him, especially after that story the NY media made up that Gordon and Skiles were fueding

[DBAHO]

They've been scouting Ben though, they want him, especially after that story the NY media made up that Gordon and Skiles were fueding

Can you see the Pacers wanting Gordon though when they already have Jamaal Tinsley, the Lithunian Dude, Fred Jones and Stephen Jackson?

 

Plus the Pacers are a very good defensive team, and we all know defense isn't Ben Gordon's strong point.

 

Can you show me where it says they've been scouting Gordon FWIW? I can't really see a fit, but hey stranger things have happened.

[Kyyle23]

How can anyone look at what Isiah Thomas has done with the Knicks and want to go to that team? This just further proves that Artest is insane

[greasywheels121]

Larry Bird and Donnie Walsh would be laughing pretty hard at that offer I'd imagine.

 

^^^

 

Seriously. Isiah Thomas does not work for the Pacers.

[greasywheels121]

I just thought about something else. It's funny Artest complains that Carlisle's system is too regimined for him. However, he wants to go play for Larry Brown?

 

I guess this is the thanks the Pacers get for sticking with him through all the BS last year.

[Jordan4life_2007]

I just thought about something else.  It's funny Artest complains that Carlisle's system is too regimined for him.  However, he wants to go play for Larry Brown? 

 

I guess this is the thanks the Pacers get for sticking with him through all the BS last year.

 

Exactly, Greasy. You would think after last year, Artest would be doing everything in his power to make it up to management, the coaches, his teammates, and the fans. I really believe the Pacers get to the finals last year with Artest. Now he pulls this "I wanna be traded" bulls***? Like T.O., this guy is a very talented MORON.

[Chisoxfn]

Come on Pax, send Ben and Thomas, give me back Artest and some benchwarmer, and elevate the team

Oh man, I'd love to get my favorite player in the NBA back.

[Chisoxfn]

They've been scouting Ben though, they want him, especially after that story the NY media made up that Gordon and Skiles were fueding

Are you sure that the Pacers are scouting Ben? I'd love to give up Ben, Tim Thomas and another one of our guys (not Deng or Hinrich) and a 1st rounder for Artest.

 

I'm assuming salary wise that deal would work, but I have my doubts as to why the Pacers would do it (unless they are really high on Ben and just really want to unload Artest).

[3 BeWareTheNewSox 5]

I had read about the Pacers looking at him in a couple of articles. Here's one of them, where it's just mentioned as a blurb:

 

Anytime the Bulls decide to let Ben Gordon escape Scott Skiles' doghouse, they'll be getting speed-dialed by more than a few teams, starting with Indiana and Denver. Both clubs are watching the Gordon-Skiles feud over a starting lineup spot and playing time with great interest. The Pacers find it harder and harder to put up with Stephon Jackson's daft decisions with the ball, while Nuggets coach George Karl is desperate to add a shooter to stretch the defense.

 

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketba...4p-315971c.html

 

This 'feud' was one I hadn't heard of until I heard it on ESPN and in some NY publication, so I'm guessing it's typical NY made up garbage. There was another article though, I'll look through my history, the source was more credible.

 

Anyways, those are the guys I'd be willing to part with (along with draft picks or other dead weight, like Pike). I still don't think it's going to happen. I just don't think Pax is the kind of guy that likes the risk, but it would greatly improved the team. I think Ron would fit in well, as when he talked about wanting to be traded, he felt that the Pacers practices "weren't hard enough for him", and didn't like that Carlisle called a majority of the offensive plays.