http://weblogs.newsday.com/sports/basketball/nba/blog/2007/05/artest_is_available_so_why_not.html

This has the link to the story NYKbasketball is referring to. Berger suggests that Isiah wouldn't want Artest because "Thomas coached him in Indiana and understands first-hand what a headache he can be. As things stand now, Thomas doesn’t seem willing to mess up a young locker room with a force as polarizing as Artest." He then goes on to basically retract that statement and say if the price is right, they should be willing to take the gamble.

I've had this position since the beginning: if you can get Artest, do it. I think, with how Artest's value was the last time he was dealt, that his value will be low, as Berger says. Would Jeffries, Frye, and the first round pick for Artest do it? I think it would. They desperately need frontcourt help and an extra first rounder would help in their rebuilding.

Keeping Q and Nate (both can stroke the 3 to keep D's honest on Curry) and the younger core of Lee, Balkman, and Collins is pivotal.

Make the move for QB's Finest. If it would work in one place it'd be here. And if it doesn't? We don't lose much.

Posted by islesfan:

Being back in NY, with all of the distractions that come with it, is exactly what this loose cannon needs.

I can picture it already.

"Well if Artest wasn't suspended for 50 games, we would have made the playoffs, and we would have been a dangerous team at that."

Exactly. Artest is just what we need. Combine him with the other awful personalities on the team and maybe we can get the whole team suspended and criminally charged next brawl.

I don't think Dolan would allow it.
You can only give up for him what you're willing to cut.
Artest's days in the league are limited.

Posted by BigSm00th:

Artest's days in the league are limited.

The same could've been said about Spree before he became a Knick, Lamar Odom after the pot smoking as a Clip, etc etc. Why not take a chance if you're getting arguably the best 2way player in the game at 40 cents on the dollar presumably?

But Artest is always threatening to retire. A lot of players are under a lot of pressure and don't handle it well at times, but Artest is never stable.

I think a strong, emotionally secure team, perhaps like the Suns or Spurs, would want him, but this team is too vulnerable for his distractions.

Posted by BigSm00th:

In response, I think Artest in an environment where he grew up and played college ball with his family and friends would be exactly what Artest needs.

If Sacramento is willing to take Jeffries, Frye, and the draft pick you would really not want that??

I think to really answer the question one needs to know Ron personally and think they know how to reach him or control him. Isiah may know him, but if he doesn't think he can work with him he should steer clear of him. And you know Dolan doesn't want anymore lawsuits, circuses or shenanigans.

Islesfan and Solace are scared that the Knicks might improve, what to do then with their lives?

How could you not want to make the trade if it is for james and frye. He only has one year on his contract, it would be the perfect scenario, and one year trial where we only give up one piece in frye, that is increasingly starting to look like a bust

Artest is a major risk, but for Channing & a filler contract like Jefferies, i do it in a heartbeat.

Posted by BigSm00th:

Combine him with the other awful personalities on the team and maybe we can get the whole team suspended and criminally charged next brawl.

i'd also like to see how his defense-first attitude rubs off on the team. not to mention his the passion and intensity he plays with every night would be a welcome change to all the times the knicks came out flat in the first half and had to furiosuly rally in the 2nd half to stay in it. you jokers every think positively and not negatively?

I love what Artest brings on the floor. But personality-wise, he's an ***h0le. We have an impressionable young group of players; I think it'd be like pouring oil into the fire. Bring in an Artest to a team with leadership who can turn him around, not a team seeking a leader who will internally combust.

I'm all for getting Artest, but we'd need to completely change the dynamics of the team for it to work. IMHO, Isiah is happy with most of his players (justified or not), and is very wary of Artest's issues. So, I think getting Artest is a pipe dream; if it were to happen, it'd be a disaster.

Can you really see Marbury and Artest on the same team? As much as I'd love to have Artest, you're asking for trouble. We need a dominant personality coach to turn him around; I don't think Isiah is that guy. We need leadership on and off the court to turn him around... Malik Rose and Quentin Richardson are our leaders? Not exactly what you'd hope for.

The biggest need on this team is leadership from a top player. As much as I'd love Artest, he's the antithesis of what this young team needs.

Edit: Actually one correction, the only way it could work would be to trade Cancerbury for Artest. You have to trade the team's worst personality if you're taking one so vile. Period.

[Edited by - Solace on May 15 2007 07:49 AM]