Like most media-driven issues, the Ron Artest-to-the-Knicks topic has taken on a life of its own, to the point where we're now standing around Isiah Thomas asking him questions about Artest in a careful way so he can answer them without it being considered tampering.
(Before I get into that, let me catch you all up on what we learned since we've arrived here in Las Vegas: Artest is not being actively shopped by the Kings. Would they be open to trading him? Probably for the right deal. But it's been infinitely reported that David Lee is not an option.)
So since Isiah can't talk about how Artest would fit on the Knicks, he instead was asked about his previous experience in coaching Artest when they were together with the Indiana Pacers.
“I thought he was playing well and our team was playing well," Thomas replied. "He had a couple of unfortunate incidents, but that group we had in Indiana, I felt that had we stayed together, I think we could have won a championship. I feel similar about this group we’re putting together now. If we can stay together and go at it for about 3-4 years, add a piece here, add a piece there, I’m confident that this is a group that can play for it.”
And what about the suggestion that you and Ron didn't get along well?
“It’s safe to say that any player that I’ve coached has had times where we didn’t get along," Thomas said. "I don’t think there’s a player on our roster now -- you can ask, there are times they don’t like me. And that’s OK. I’m not trying to be liked, I’m trying to coach. But it’s also safe to say if you look back at any of those guys who played for me, they played some of the best basketball of their lives playing for me. They probably didn’t like me, but they played well.”
There's nothing to read from any of these comments. There is nothing imminent. But we can take from this that Isiah's past experience won't be a reason why the Knicks wouldn't make a play for Artest. What will is if the Kings insist on taking David Lee. Would you allow Renaldo Balkman be a deal-breaker though?
Artest is a risk-reward kind of acquisition. He can be volatile and burn the house down. But his type of intensity is something the Knicks sorely need. As I've said before, there should be some concern about a 33-win team that says it gets along so well.
Artest was here on Saturday (along with his brother) and watched a few summer league games, including the Kings blowout win over the Chinese National Team. He wasn't around on Sunday, however.
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* - Just got word that Zach Randolph and Quentin Richardson, who were expected to be in on Monday for a veteran's workout, are not going to be here. Possibly Tuesday. Other than Freddy Jones, no other veterans -- aside from the guys already here (Nate Robinson, Mardy Collins, Lee and Balkman) -- are expected to come in.
* - A shopping mall across from the Wynn Hotel has an art gallery with a Leroy Neiman exhibit. Among the works is an original painting Neiman did of Isiah Thomas. It's going for $195,000, in case you have some loose change the next time you visit.
* - The reporters were invited to watch a few minutes of a scrimmage with the summer league team. Demetris Nichols has great form and showed off his shooting ability by snapping the net with a few jumpers. Wilson Chandler moved smoothly around the court and also showed off a pretty good stroke from the perimeter. Balkman seems to be physically way ahead of everyone else. Unfortunately, Randolph Morris (remember him?) was already out of the game when we were let into the gym. I'd like to actually see this guy play.
* - It can't be good for the NBA to have Yi Jianlian playing for the Chinese team in the game after the team that drafted him, Milwaukee, plays. That's a situation that will need to get resolved before the season begins as it seems pretty obvious Jianlian has little interest in being a Buck. Naturally we'll soon start speculating the Knicks chances of getting Jianlian, who seems to have the goods to be a good NBA small forward. One guess: No chance. But it would be great to get an international player in New York one of these years.
Comments (16)
yi sucks..
he must be banned in the league if he resist to play for the bucks this year.
who the hell he think he is??
yi can decide to do whatever he wants, i say screw the bucks, and make him avail, im sure the NYK's could use his talent at SF.
he is too soft for NY.
he might end up being punched by zBo if he comes here. lol
As long as that international player's name doesnt rhyme with 'Farko Bilichick', I`m all for bringing someone in!
All I cay say is that the Kings do want to get rid of Ron Artest. They are just want to maximize what they get in return for him. That's why the issue of David Lee comes up. Trust me, Isiah will not trade Lee unless someone like Kobe or Garnett will come here in a trade. David Lee's #'s are impressive yet when you see him play the game, you realize he brings a skill, toughness & unselfishness that is hard to find. He finishes with both hands around the basket and he rebounds the ball extremely well. In addition he can play any front court position (depending on the matchup... lol)... Now a person who the Knicks could give up for Artest could be Quinten Richardson. Although I like his game, he and Artest do a lot of the same things on the floor and Artest is approx 2 inches bigger than Richardson. I think that would work for both teams.
Hey Lives in NJ, NY Fan..or NJKnickFan...
I'm down to post here exclusively here while throwing a bone or two to the others. I've been reading Alan's blog here since someone mentioned it a few months back (maybe Anti or Davonn, can't remember).
Alan's a fan and oh...look at his stats...at 6'6" he may actually be sympathetic to the players. Being that he may have a unique understanding that there skills that these athletic giants need to be successful.
The other writer's from the Post and DailyNews write like nerds who never put a ball in a hole....Ew!! Sounds a bit kinky.
Farko Bilichick'
man, jon. thats funny. Darko's too expensive and far from being a sure bet PF/C. I'd rather stick with the big guy's we have.
I'd like an upgrade at the SF. Take this year to develop our picks and set up a sign and trade for Artest. Give Sac a sack of beans and some magic stardust or something.
Artest for Richardson sounds like a decent deal, although I would hate to see Q-Rich go. He has been giving his all to the Knicks since coming here. Maybe the Knicks could give away another draft pick with Jeffries and Rose or Robinson. After all, we are "young" again. The draft will not help us anytime soon.
Q-Rich, with a bad back, for Artest? You guys think Geoff Petrie has lost his ability to judge a good trade?!
Just wanted to let you all know I'll blog after the Sonics-Knicks game tonight. Too late for our deadline.
Later.
From Sac's point of view we would rather have Artest Opt out next year and take the salary slot than Q or anybody else but Lee. No offense to the Knicks roster.
Alan, would you have thought we could get back Zach and $5mil worth of expiring contracts for Channing and Francis? I can't believe anyone would have called that without a direct line into Isiah's office. IT was one heckuva deal.
You're right though. Any of our bigger contracts would mean one to one trade. Q-Rich for Artest straight up is soooo one sided. Unless of course, Isiah convinces Petri that he is doing him a favor taking Artest and his behavioral issues off his hands. Definitely lots of drama this summer.
Its already a good one. Can Isiah make it better? I'll be tuning in to your post after the game. Thanks for the writs!
balkman, chandler and nate realy made things happen on defense. morris is active on defense but he cannot be thelast line of defense for the team. definitely not a center on d. fast hands and active though so its not like he won't have a chance to contribute. chandler's nba ready. strong build and athletic and he pulled up on a short jumper on the baseline. impressive.
Ron Artest is a Better Player than David Lee.
No Offense to David's Game but if New York is Not willing to Give up David Lee for Artest then we are Better Off Keeping Ron Artest. We LOve him in Sacramento , California.
ron artest for david lee is a waste because you dont know what your going to get from artest coming back home. He may get into trouble. If he wasnt a head case I would make that trade with my eyes close.
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