Why Ron Artest has chosen No. 37
Speaking of uniform numbers, that reminded me I meant to post this yesterday: Why the No. 37? That’s how many weeks Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” album was No. 1 on the charts. Hmm, why not No. 5? That’s the number of fingers in Michael Jackson’s famous glove.
Things have changed in the NBA. It used to be that the players were influenced more by another MJ. Oh well.
Is there anyone out there who doesn’t think Ron-Ron lives in some sort of parallel universe? I’m still believing Kobe Bryant is going to have trouble with this guy before it’s over. I’m even thinking this might be the player capable of running Phil Jackson out of his job and back to Montana.
NBA | Dwight Jaynes | July 8, 2009
37, Dwight Jaynes, Michael Jackson, Phil Jackson, Ron Artest
Of course, any time Ron-Ron is ready to lose it at a home game, they can tell him to show some respect – this is where MJ’s service was. It could work.
I listened to some sports radio late last night and they maintained that Artest hasn’t dialed back on the crazy knob one bit. Houston just did a good job of containing the stories.
They also couldn’t understand how the Lakers could let Ariza go in exchange for the guaranteed antics of Mr. Artest. That’s something I can’t figure out either.
I know during the playoffs, Phil Jackson was very complimentary of Ron’s physical strength but Ariza had some great games with a very good 3-point average.
It made me go conspiracy. Did hurting Rudy poison Ariza’s relationship with Pau Gasol and lead to Trevor’s exile to Houston?
Then I realized why wonder? It’s the Lakers. I just hope the move blows up on them in a major way that leaves Phil Jackson in therapy and the team in ruins.
Still, if the eventual dismantling of the Lakers somehow leads back to Rudy’s fall, that means last year was even better than we thought. I can dream, can’t I?
I seem to remember a lot of people wondering how Phil Jackson was going to get another “eccentric” player to play for him. Seemed to work with with the Bulls, and Artest is nowhere near as “eccentric” as Rodman is/was.
I’ve posted about that very thing before. The difference is, Rodman was not a problem on the court. He rebounded. Period. Artest could be a BIG problem on the court because he thinks he’s a volume shooter and he’s not. What’s Kobe going to do when Ron is out there hoisting those 25-footers, one after another, and they’re clanking off the rim. He also likes to pound the ball. You’ve seen it. The guy does not know his limitations. Rodman always did.
You assume that the Rodman crotch kick was atypical?
Aaron — the Rodman stuff had NOTHING to do with the way he related to other players. He didn’t want the ball. He hated to shoot. He just rebounded and defended — which always made him an easy fit in the triangle and with his teammates. Artest will not be so easy on the floor. He thinks he’s a way better offensive player than he is. That causes problems.
I think Ron Artest has a misunderstood sense of humor. Then again, he may be just a wild and crazy guy.
Maybe 37 was the name of his sled when he was a boy?
I hope you’re right this time Dwight. I hope you’re right…
Artest only forces the issue when he’s the best player on the court. When TMac and Yao were healthy, he played within himself. When the Pacers had the best record in the league prior to The Brawl (with J O’Neal and Jax playing great basketball), he was a legit MVP candidate.
Sounds like sour grapes if you’re assuming he’s going to fail just because he’s playing for a team you don’t like.
KneeJerkNBA
Your last sententce sums up my thoughts quite nicely. Not sure about Dwight’s though, I think he’s pretty sour about most teams…
Going after Artest is definitely a gamble, but the upside is outstanding: A career 16 and 5 guy who is one of the best defenders in the league. This is all about getting Kobe’s minutes down, so he’s fresh in the 4th quarter. Artest is used to playing a ton of minutes, so he will be able to “pound” the ball a little and take some shots when he is running with the second team and Lamar Odom.
It also allows Kobe to not guard the best players on the opposite team. No more getting worn out having to guard BRoy the entire game – leave that to Artest. No more Carmelo abusing Kobe in the low post because Ariza had no answer for him.
A potential match-up with Cleveland means Artest on LBJ with Kobe doubling off of whomever (Delonte West? Mo Williams?)
And blame Ariza’s agent for trying to squeeze several more million out of the Lakers when they offered the MLE to Ariza in the first place. The agent took a tough stance, and the Lakers had an alternative. That’s business.
At the moment, it seems like the Spurs are the team that match up best with the Lakers right now with a healthy(?) Ginobili and Richard Jefferson at the 2 and 3, and Tony Parker blowing by the Laker PGs.
My question is if you are the champs, why do you take a risk on Ron Ron?
I think they’re planning to have him run up in the stands and punch out Andy Garcia.
I agree with Tim and Dwight. Artest made me think he might have lost some of the crazy until he ran halfway across the court to get in Kobe’s face about elbowing him. He is just flat out not operating in the realm of reality. Rodman pulled crap that got into people’s heads and got them off their game. Ron just gets himself out of his own game.
Jackson is done after next season if he wins or not…
Artest will eventually annoy Bryant and when they hit a rough patch it will erupt. Losing Ariza will be huge as he was their best defensive player…
They may not be able to sign Odom
Honestly, I don’t see them repeating
Artest and Bryant will definitely make for a great watch next year, but I’m not as confident that the Lakers will implode like some of you think. Sounds like wishful thinking to me, especially if they do indeed re-sign Odom.
Honestly, with all the moves everyone else is making in order to get better combined with our inactivity thus far, I don’t think we’ve reached a position to worry about the Lakers just yet.
There has probably been and will be in the future alot of “Jackson” tags but Michael is one I doubt I will see for awhile lol.