Breaking News: Ron Artest Traded to Houston

by Chris Alvino on July 29th, 2008 at 10:53 pm

In a move that makes no apparent sense to me on the Kings’ end, Sacramento has agreed to trade Ron Artest to Houston for Bobby Jackson, the draft rights to Donte Greene, a future 1st round pick, and cash considerations.

Let me start this by saying one thing: shame on Donnie Walsh and shame on the Kings. Donte Greene may turn into a good player down the line, but other than that, this move makes no sense for the Kings who I would hope could have received a better package than what they took from Houston.

Now to Donnie Walsh and the Knicks. I understand Walsh’s history with Ron Artest. Who doesn’t? But that said, I cannot understand why he would not take another chance on this guy. Artest has always been described as a player who can not only score 20 points in a game, but also be a guy who could keep his opponent from doing the same. His defensive prowess, I believe, stems from two things: athleticism and heart. Artest plays the game as hard as anyone and he takes pride in his defensive effort. Who on the Knicks in the last 3 years have I been able to say that about? If anyone thinks of one, let me know.

Offensively, Artest is just as talented. He averaged over 20 ppg last season, shooting over 38% from the three, and also averaged 3.5 apg. He is as complete a player as there is in the NBA, and he was given away for nothing.

Artest is also a FA after this season. Bringing him on-board would make complete sense financially.

And lastly, Artest, in my opinion, was born to play for the Knicks. The Queens product played prep ball at LaSalle and probably could have played anywhere he wanted to in the NCAA, but chose to play college ball at St. John’s. After starring at St. John’s, the Knicks made a gigantic mistake by not drafting him, and have been clueless in not attempting to reverse that decision. Artest has hinted ever since he has gotten into the league that he would want to play for the Knicks. With Artest, it would not be a money thing, despite what he might have said in the media. Regardless of his baggage, Artest should be a Knick because in that baggage, Artest carries something that not many others in the league do: a yearning to come home to New York to play for his hometown team, the the NEW YORK Knicks!

I believe that Walsh has some plans up his sleeve, but I think that it is about time that he pulls them out. This Artest deal makes me furious.

About Chris Alvino

Chris Alvino grew up in Crestwood, NY. He graduated from Regis High School in 2005. There he played both basketball and baseball. Chris is currently a student at Boston College, where he practices with the varsity Women's Basketball Team (... seriously). Chris has been a Knicks' fan for years and can literally talk about them all day long, every day of the week. Chris enjoys writing on this blog and seeing what everyone out there has to say about it. View all posts by Chris Alvino →
  • GoWrightGo

    I like Artest and understand your desire to bring him back. I also get the point about procuring players who want to be Knicks. But Marbury was one of those players. Extremely talented, at the time thought to be one of the better points in the game, etc He pined to be a Knick. Ask him now about that desire and if it was misplaced. Ask the Knicks how they feel about the decision to grab Marbury.

    Artest is talented, aggressive, all out all the time, enigmatic, often off the wall strange and possibly manic.

    I love his heart but don’t understand his head. Plus, we need new characters around here that not only want to be a part of the success that will ultimately come, but are willing to play their part. I am not sure a move for Artest does anything other than possibly clear some more cap space next year

  • theghostofwillisreed

    artest to the knicks would have been a great move. there’s no ifs, ands, or buts about it. what marbury was a defensive mentality that artest possesses and what people don’t see is that artest is a team player on the court that marbury is not.

  • Kid Tarheel

    C’mon guys!! Why does it alsways seem you miss the point when it comes to roster moves. Artest would have been a disaster with the Knicks. If and only if because the Knicks are not ready to contest for a Division title. Why risk having a head case on your team if its not going to put you over the top? And he plays the same position as your #1 draft pick and your most intriguing young player (Gallo and Chandler), who need to see the court to get better. It makes 0.00 sense for the Knicks to get Ron Ron.

    Now if we improve over the next couple of years and we become a contender, then maybe we could spare a bit of the midlevel for him.

    On the flip side, when you say you can’t understand it from the Kings side- have you been paying attention to the war of words Artest has been having publicly with the OWNERS of the Kings? And then in return the lkings get a stopgap pg, cap relief and TWO #1 picks (if you include a promising Donte Greene). Umm, that’s a no brainer for a rebuilding team unloading a trouble maker.

    I understand that you have a lot of love for the knicks, but maybe you should take a long, deep breath before you make a post that makes as little sense as this one.