Artest going to Lakers
07-02-2009, 09:48 PM
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Artest going to Lakers http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slu...v=ap&type=lgns
Well, I guess we're not going to the playoffs next year.
HOUSTON (AP)—Ron Artest(notes) is joining Kobe Bryant(notes) and the Los Angeles Lakers.
David Bauman, Artest’s agent, told The Associated Press that the Houston Rockets forward has verbally agreed to play for the NBA champions next season. Bauman said the final details are still being worked out, but could be finished as early as Thursday night.
ESPN.com reported that Artest had agreed to a three-year deal worth $18 million. Bauman would not confirm those numbers, saying the deal was still being negotiated.
“We’re not quite there yet,” Bauman said. “We’re still working on it.”
The 6-foot-7 forward earned $7.4 million in his only season with Houston, averaging 17.1 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.3 assists. The 2004 Defensive Player of the Year was also a rugged 1-on-1 defender, often assigned to guard the opponent’s most dynamic scorer.
Bauman said Artest was looking for a championship-caliber team when he became an unrestricted free agent on Wednesday, and the Lakers were one of his top choices.
“He wants to win a ring,” Bauman said. “He’s a winner and a hard worker and he went looking for a team with whom he could find some justification for what he does. He plays his best when he’s in that kind of an environment.”
Artest could not immediately be reached for comment.
He told CBSSports.com that he met with Lakers owner Dr. Jerry Buss and coach Phil Jackson. In a text message to ESPN.com on Thursday night, Artest wrote: “I am happy to say I am goin’ to L.A.”
Earlier Thursday, Bauman said Artest was being courted by several teams that made the playoffs last season and received text messages from unspecified “superstars” who were trying to lure him to their cities. Bauman would not say if Bryant was one of those players, but acknowledged on Thursday night that their friendship was a factor in Artest’s decision.
“The whole situation was extremely appealing to Ron,” Bauman said.
The two had a feisty individual battle in the second round of the playoffs, as the undermanned Rockets pushed Bryant and the Lakers to seven games. Artest and Bryant often mouthed off at one another, and Artest was ejected from one game for confronting a referee and claiming that Bryant elbowed him in the neck.
Artest’s decision is another tough blow to the Rockets, who acquired Artest in a trade with Sacramento last summer. The Rockets envisioned Artest as the final piece to a “Big Three” with Yao Ming(notes) and Tracy McGrady(notes), but those two All-Stars are now dealing with long-term injuries.
Rockets general manager Daryl Morey did not immediately return a phone message on Thursday night.
He already seemed resigned to losing Artest, flying to Las Vegas earlier in the day to meet with Lakers forward Trevor Ariza(notes). The 6-8 Ariza averaged 8.9 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.8 assists for the Lakers last season and would fit into Artest’s role in Houston’s starting lineup.
Houston already knows it will be missing McGrady for the bulk of next season as he recovers from microfracture surgery on his left knee.
The Rockets are also awaiting a definitive prognosis on Yao, who sustained a hairline fracture in his left foot in the playoffs. Morey made an aggressive pitch to free agent center Marcin Gortat(notes) shortly after the free agency period began on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the 29-year-old Artest and his unpredictable nature will be an intriguing addition to the Lakers.
Artest was on his best behavior in Houston last season, but he’ll always be remembered as the central figure in the 2004 brawl with Detroit fans at The Palace of Auburn Hills when he played for the Indiana Pacers. Artest was suspended for 73 games, the NBA’s harshest punishment for a fight.
Early in the 2005-06 season, Artest demanded a trade from Indiana, angering his teammates. He was dealt to Sacramento in January 2006 and meshed well with coach Rick Adelman, who now coaches the Rockets.
Two years later, Artest left the Kings in a bitter dispute with the team’s ownership.
David Bauman, Artest’s agent, told The Associated Press that the Houston Rockets forward has verbally agreed to play for the NBA champions next season. Bauman said the final details are still being worked out, but could be finished as early as Thursday night.
ESPN.com reported that Artest had agreed to a three-year deal worth $18 million. Bauman would not confirm those numbers, saying the deal was still being negotiated.
“We’re not quite there yet,” Bauman said. “We’re still working on it.”
The 6-foot-7 forward earned $7.4 million in his only season with Houston, averaging 17.1 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.3 assists. The 2004 Defensive Player of the Year was also a rugged 1-on-1 defender, often assigned to guard the opponent’s most dynamic scorer.
Bauman said Artest was looking for a championship-caliber team when he became an unrestricted free agent on Wednesday, and the Lakers were one of his top choices.
“He wants to win a ring,” Bauman said. “He’s a winner and a hard worker and he went looking for a team with whom he could find some justification for what he does. He plays his best when he’s in that kind of an environment.”
Artest could not immediately be reached for comment.
He told CBSSports.com that he met with Lakers owner Dr. Jerry Buss and coach Phil Jackson. In a text message to ESPN.com on Thursday night, Artest wrote: “I am happy to say I am goin’ to L.A.”
Earlier Thursday, Bauman said Artest was being courted by several teams that made the playoffs last season and received text messages from unspecified “superstars” who were trying to lure him to their cities. Bauman would not say if Bryant was one of those players, but acknowledged on Thursday night that their friendship was a factor in Artest’s decision.
“The whole situation was extremely appealing to Ron,” Bauman said.
The two had a feisty individual battle in the second round of the playoffs, as the undermanned Rockets pushed Bryant and the Lakers to seven games. Artest and Bryant often mouthed off at one another, and Artest was ejected from one game for confronting a referee and claiming that Bryant elbowed him in the neck.
Artest’s decision is another tough blow to the Rockets, who acquired Artest in a trade with Sacramento last summer. The Rockets envisioned Artest as the final piece to a “Big Three” with Yao Ming(notes) and Tracy McGrady(notes), but those two All-Stars are now dealing with long-term injuries.
Rockets general manager Daryl Morey did not immediately return a phone message on Thursday night.
He already seemed resigned to losing Artest, flying to Las Vegas earlier in the day to meet with Lakers forward Trevor Ariza(notes). The 6-8 Ariza averaged 8.9 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.8 assists for the Lakers last season and would fit into Artest’s role in Houston’s starting lineup.
Houston already knows it will be missing McGrady for the bulk of next season as he recovers from microfracture surgery on his left knee.
The Rockets are also awaiting a definitive prognosis on Yao, who sustained a hairline fracture in his left foot in the playoffs. Morey made an aggressive pitch to free agent center Marcin Gortat(notes) shortly after the free agency period began on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the 29-year-old Artest and his unpredictable nature will be an intriguing addition to the Lakers.
Artest was on his best behavior in Houston last season, but he’ll always be remembered as the central figure in the 2004 brawl with Detroit fans at The Palace of Auburn Hills when he played for the Indiana Pacers. Artest was suspended for 73 games, the NBA’s harshest punishment for a fight.
Early in the 2005-06 season, Artest demanded a trade from Indiana, angering his teammates. He was dealt to Sacramento in January 2006 and meshed well with coach Rick Adelman, who now coaches the Rockets.
Two years later, Artest left the Kings in a bitter dispute with the team’s ownership.
07-02-2009, 10:14 PM
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We weren't going to go to the playoffs with him anyway. I like ron but you just never know with him. It's really not a good fit with the lakers imo, thats a team that understand kobe is the guy, ron doesn't play ball like that.
Rockets are going to sign Ariza though, I still think they can make the playoffs as long as they get a warm body for a big man, but probably like a 7-8 seed if Yao is out the whole year. Way to many unknowns right now.
Rockets are going to sign Ariza though, I still think they can make the playoffs as long as they get a warm body for a big man, but probably like a 7-8 seed if Yao is out the whole year. Way to many unknowns right now.
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07-02-2009, 10:44 PM
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We weren't going to go to the playoffs with him anyway. I like ron but you just never know with him. It's really not a good fit with the lakers imo, thats a team that understand kobe is the guy, ron doesn't play ball like that.
Rockets are going to sign Ariza though, I still think they can make the playoffs as long as they get a warm body for a big man, but probably like a 7-8 seed if Yao is out the whole year. Way to many unknowns right now.
Rockets are going to sign Ariza though, I still think they can make the playoffs as long as they get a warm body for a big man, but probably like a 7-8 seed if Yao is out the whole year. Way to many unknowns right now.
07-03-2009, 01:06 PM
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From what I was told the rockets weren't interested in him returning after Yao’s foot diagnoses. They want to play a faster pace next year and felt he would slow things down and that he might get frustrated and go Ron Ron if things aren’t going good next year.
07-03-2009, 01:38 PM
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Unless you heard that directly out of the rocket's gms mouth I call bs. Why in the world would you want to get rid oh Ron Artest to slow things down? Things should be slow enough in the win column! I just cannot believe that the freaking lakers signed artest, it frustrates me to no end. They just got a lot tougher and added something this laker team has not had in a long time. I do not like the Rockets at all but I wish that things would not turn out the way they are right now. I always look forward to the Spurs playing the Rockets, but now it is not much to look forward to. I would never wish all those injuries and player losses on any team..........
