Suns didn’t have bait to land Artest
July 30th, 2008, 10:38 am · 5 Comments · posted by jerrybrown
Sign Brent Barry for outside shooting. Then add Ron Artest for scoring, defensive commitment and general swagger.
That might have been the perfect offseason for the Suns. Instead, they will have to be content with Robin Lopez, Matt Barnes and a minimum-wage point guard to be named later — while the Houston Rockets add Barry and Artest to a team that many saw as the sleeper in the West last year.
I’m not saying the Rockets should be measured for rings. Tracy McGrady has never been past the first round of the playoffs and is a constant injury concern. Yao Ming’s feet are taking more of a pounding this summer in Beijing. Then there is the matter of Artest, who has been a problem wherever he’s been and is bound to stir the pot in Clutch City.
And while the Lakers’ roster, outside of point guard, is formidable, most Suns fans were happy to see Artest go to Houston — because that meant he wasn’t going to the Lakers.
But the Rockets are now better, and the West has another powerhouse with a “Big Three” to match the Lakers, San Antonio, New Orleans, Utah and Phoenix.
So why didn’t Phoenix get into the Artest Derby? Why isn’t he coming to the desert? All you have to do is look at what the Kings asked of the Rockets — two first-round picks (Donte Green and next year’s No. 1) and an expiring contract (Bobby Jackson at $6.1 million). Draft-pick-wise, the Kurt Thomas-to-Seattle trade strikes again. And the Kings would rather have the cap space to spend next summer than Leandro Barbosa for four more years.
Had not Barnes fallen in Phoenix’s lap last week, this deal would have hurt a lot more. But there are indications that his addition has started the wheels turning in the front office again and improved the chances of at least one move outside of signing a backup point guard before training camp opens in October.
July 30th, 2008 at 3:03 pm
I am only a little disappointed the suns did not land artest. First of all his name is one letter away from arrest and he’ll probably get arrested before the end of the season. Second, the suns acquired matt barnes. This guy will bring awesome defense and an ability to finish hard at the bucket. Lastly, I think the suns should splurge on a guard. Either go after ben Gordon or someone at his caliber. A strong back up guard is the last piece to the puzzel so they should do anything to get the best possible.
Go SUNS!!
July 31st, 2008 at 12:03 am
I am the super fan of Suns for over 15 years. To be honest, I am very disappointed the suns’ management.
July 31st, 2008 at 12:55 am
The Suns management is the reason we wont win a title..Last year at this time we could have had Kg for Marion and other parts..we could have still been able to run.also there was a proposed trade last deadline to get artest for atl’s pick this year(Robin Lopez)
KG
Amare
Artest
Bell
Nash
Diaw barbosa hill skinner strawberry
trade diaw for a point guard maybe acquired noah(lopez type player) and we wouldnt have been in this position
July 31st, 2008 at 9:47 am
The Suns have more than a Big 3; they have a Big 4. Why does everyone forget about how good Grant Hill still is. If he didn’t have taht appendectormy (which could have happened to anyone), he would have averaged 16-20 pts per game. And even with that injury, he still shot around 50% and averaged about 14 pts per game whle probably averaging less than 10 shots per game. Grant is still their most versatile player, and the Suns need to better utilize him. If they do that and add the improvements of the second year players and the new additions, the Suns will be strong contenders.
August 26th, 2008 at 5:45 pm
I have been writing e-mails to the Suns’ Mgt. for months, I don’t think anyone reads them. First of all, I can’t figure out how Bryan C. went to Toranto? He was the brains of the organization. We now have the three stooges, as I call them, Sarver, Kerr and Mr. VP. Second: am I the only one out here that watches each game and see’s the inconsistancys of Bell, Diaw and Leandro? I see Bell defend good players and they all score season highs against him, I’m sorry Bell, but, that’s how I call it. I love Leandro but he can’t defend and is too inconsistant on offence. Diaw is a great passer, but, again is to inconsistant on D and O. If Amare doesn’t learn how or get it that he has to, play D, He can go down the Highway too. I am surprized that Sarver hasn’t listened to me, when so many times I told him, how much we could get in return for Amare? and maybe get some good all around players. I love Goran, I know you are all in for a pleasant surprize, pardon the spelling, I just had a Migraine. Over all, I think, in spite of the three stooges running such a Historically fine club, we have a chance to go far in the playoffs, If, in spite of Kerr dictating Porter, we jell like I think we can. Barnes and Goran will be pleasant additions to the club. I also expect Lopez to rub some defensive hustle off on Amare, maybe someone will kick him in the ass and he gets off his egotistical plateau and work some D. Regardless of my negative e-mail, I still think the Suns are the classiest act in the NBA, asside from Mgt.