Rumour has it that THE TRADE IS OFF!!!! I just captured that from the espn.com front page. NO LIE. http://www.espn.com
Yeah Ronnie said he didn't want to go .... The Kings told him forgetabotit. And then there's Peja waiting at the Airport thinking he's going to Indiana. What a friggin jerk!!!
If nothing else, you gotta give Ronnie credit for hiring the agent that administered his last contract.
I don't understand why folks think Ron is a jerk for downing the trade. He's got a responsibility to make moves in HIS best interest. GrandMaster RonRon has made it clear that if traded west he would eventually work his way back to NY. As he is from Queen's (AFAIK) he probably sees this as his chance to hook up with Zeke and LB, who along with Marbury, Crawford and Curry give him a chance of making some noise in the playoffs. Ron's getting paid, trade or no trade. He will be paid out this contract, and the Pacers don't want him around, so he has plenty of time to work on his music career (seriously) which is what he really wants to do. The Pacers are idiots. They should not have even tried to trade him to a team he doesn't want to report to. That was lame. If they haven't figured out yet that Ron is in control of this situation (from the time he made the trade talk in an interview) then Donnie Walsh should be fired. It's called cutting your losses. Buyout Ron now, or make the trade he wants even if it nets little return. This sounds a LOT like the guy who won't sell high because he thinks the stock will go higher. BAD MOVE. I am impressed with how well Ron has manipulated Carlisle/Bird/Walsh and how poorly they have responded. The only party hurting through this ordeal are the Pacers. Ron's rappin', getting paid and he's still a coveted basketball player. I knew the Pacers were stupid when they turned down the Maggette deal. One look at Detroit should be enough to convince Larry Walsh (sic) that this season is a write-off without Artest.
The Kings got a taste of Ron before it was too late. They're probably thinking now, "Holy %%%%, we almost brought that maniac to our franchise. What the hell were we thinking? But thank you, Ron, for reminding us why you're being traded in the first place." BTW, Peja should be happy. At least he knows they're trying to move him, per his request this summer.
Micro, You're right. The Pacers are idiots for attempting to trade him where he would refuse to go . But I still think he is a jerk for destroying the season of his ex-teammates and the management team that stuck with him after last years incident. He owed them that (to go to Sacramento), at least.
Wait just a minute... where he wanted to go?... this is just the kind of thing Stern has been trying to prevent... there is not a no trade clause involved here... Ronnie just says no and both franchises are in limbo... trades can not happen now if a player just doesn't like it?!? NO FUGGN WAY! This just put Ronnie at the very bottom of Stern's sheet list. No player should be bigger than the teams and the league... don't get me started on this one.
The Kings backed out. They obviously did not feel that they could MAKE Artest play. Ron is running this scam from front to back. He's making a fool of the league and there is nothing they can do about it. GrandMaster RonRon indeed.
Great. Making a fool of the same league that made him a multi-millionaire. He's a nut AND a thankless jerk. I'm not at all impressed by his actions.
I agree 100% Darth. Stern should make an example out of him, the Pacers shouldn't have to pay him anymore and the Kings should thank their lucky starts they didn't acquire this nut job.
**LINK** Three Things To Know About The Artest Deal… #1 – IT WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN BONZI.... #2 – THE PACERS APPLIED THE PRESSURE.... #3 – THE FUTURE.... Interesting piece.
Here's Bob Kravitz's take: http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060126/COLUMNISTS01/601260429/1004/SPORTS Read closely the Donnie Walsh quotes about talent and you can surmise why Joe D is a much better exec.
Hey all you guys who said Ron for Paysha? back in Dec. good call. Plus weeks in the nonbanning column. I say he goes MCA before the season ends.
Looks like we owe Ronnie a big thanks. Had he not had his monthly outburst, the Pacers might have grabbed Garcia as well. Anything that makes the Pacers worse is a good move to me!
Glad the Pacers didn't get Garcia. he was my pick for the Pistons, but the Kings snatched him up a couple of spots before we picked. I think the kid is gonna be pretty good, and he seems like a nice guy. Definitely not Pacers material!
