testy: i think you will be surprised with indiana, they are my darkhourse to compete for the 8th playoff spot this year. i agree they are top 3 in the west, after utah and new orleans.

as for the actual trade, i couldn’t see the kings doing any business with the lakers…too much history there. denver seemed like the viable option.

Indiana became a bad team when they thought they had reliable all star player in Ron Artest.

And thats the point. He wore them down and since Indy are mediocre.

Time to gauge the impact is needed for those who don’t know Artest and for those who never had him on their team.

Anyhow Zack or whoever you make some good points except for the one about Indiana laughing and happy when they gave away Artest.

It has been a few years now and they are still one of the junk teams in the weaker Eastern Conference. When Artest was there they were a powerhouse. A legitimate contender to win the east. And in a couple of those seasons a contender to win the title. How can you say they are better off? If I was a fan in Indiana I would rather take Artest’s b.s. then get stuck with a crap team for years to come. Which will be what happens with the Kings now.

Peja left indiana right after the season he got traded to them for artest. Just like Bjax will either be let go or leave for greener pastures.

@Ryne you make a very good point about waiting to see how the trade will work out. Cause they may end up with a great player from their financial flex. But at the same time it’s similar to the Camby thing. Denver may end up long term with a great player by using their trade exception. But in the mean time it certainly is looked at as a lopsided trade.

Right now everything is on paper and Rocket fans are happy. Just as Kings fans were happy when Ron was on the verge to be traded to Sacramento. Reports were coming out of Indiana how fans and management were jubilant of their divorce with Ron-Ron, at the time Kings fans didn’t care what was coming out of Indy. What everyone raved about is how cool Artest is, how great he plays and what a steal he is for the Kings…much like what Rocket fans are saying right now.

The thing is, I guess you have to have Artist on your team for a while and you’ll get a sense of what I am implying. You’ll want him out of your town for good.

To put it another words – for all he’s got, Artest isn’t worth because of all he isn’t.

He brings defense, he also brings trouble.
He plays hard, he also plays with the organization.
He is a lock-down defender, he is also a lock to make fool out of you.
He is banging on defenders, he also banging on his wife…or his dog…or his SUV with frying pan…or his locker room.

I like the Rockets and if he brings them to promise land I’d be happy. But this isn’t going to be the case. And if you think Kings fans are in some way affected by this trade, ask Pacer fans to verify this.

He wore down powerful Indiana team, and then stabbed them in the back and abused them.

He wore down Sacramento team, did pretty much the same.

If you are a Rocket fan you will be happy when the day come and Ron Artist out of your team and out of your life.

Still, this trade definitely shifts the power rankings in the Western Conference.

As much of a distraction as Artest was, he is a solid player who contributed on both ends of the floor for every team he played for. The Kings just guaranteed themselves a high lottery pick, maybe that’s their goal though. Seems to be a trend these days in NBA teams tanking full seasons to get a good pick.

Sure the Kings fans wanted to see Artest go, but i’m sure they wanted to get back equal value just as bad. Not ship him off for the sake of moving him. That would be acting rash and with emotion. Not a good combination in the business of professional sports.

But he isnt! He is a menace, a distraction, he will tear the Rockets and then he will insult them. Ask kings or pacer fans. Everyone in Sactow were ecstatic when Ron-Ron arrived, few months later they felt sour taste in their mouths.

He isn’t as good as you think he is. Ultimately the Rocket-nation will be sorry for making such a stupid and ill advised gamble, fans will be frustrated and insulted, management will look foolish and Geoff Petrie will be laughing hysterically, just like Donnie Walsh and Larry Bird did.

Oh,.. and the btw, Rockets may go past the first round, but that’s it. They won’t make it past the second. By this time Ron Artist will likely be serving time for beating on his wife or thrashing someone’s SUV.

Damn, its good to be rid of Ron, for good!

how long before he starts skipping practiccs to make rap albums or gets put in jailor whatever.

Then TMAC and Ming can score like mad men. Oh yeah and Artest is a phenomenal scorer too!! This is so friggin awesome!!

Forget our win streak last year. get ready for a Rockets win streak to beat that this year! Skip runnin’ the point we have an unbeatable team.