Agent: Artest wants to remain a Pacer

[kapkomet]

Two words. HE GAWN.

 

And greasy said it best. Ron Artest:

[aboz56]

I'd trade him to Toronto or Atlanta and let him rot.

[hammerhead johnson]

I'd trade him to Toronto or Atlanta and let him rot.

 

Both teams have a ton of young, inexpensive talent. They also have logjams at SF. Nitetrain said that Artest could play some SG, but I seriously doubt that at this point in his career. That would almost be like sticking Urlacher back at safety, if you know what I mean. He's just too freaking big. He could play some PF, but not SG.

 

DBAHO, if this were to happen:

 

Tinsley, Artest, Hill, Howard, Battie.

Bench - Nelson, Dooling, Stevenson, Hedo, Cato.

 

By the time April rolls around, the Magic would be a Top 3 or 4 team out East, better than the Cavs, Bucks, Bulls, 76ers, and perhaps the Pacers. Hill would have to come off of the bench IMO, as Artest can't play the 2 unless he were to lose about 15 pounds to 20 pounds worth of muscle.

[hammerhead johnson]

If Steve Francis had any brains whatsoever, he'd be an amazing all-around PG. I've read time and time again that he doesn't have any defensive upside, but from what I've seen, he has the tools to stick opposing PGs, just not the brains. He has the Larry Hughes disease, which means that he tends to free-lance in the passing lanes at the expense of staying on his man, so his steals numbers usually look great, but overall team defense is considerably worse. His decision-making is just so pathetic in a half-court offense. That's why Houston and Orlando fans can't stand him. When all is said and done, he probably just doesn't have it in him to kick that scoring mentality to the curb. Labeling this guy "franchise" has only made things worse, as he feels inclined to step it up in the compulsive gambling department. He takes some of the absolute dumbest shots that you'll ever see, kind of like Ben Gordon.