Should Ron Artest be upset with the Houston Rockets?

August 23 09

Breaking NBA news mixed with analysis …

Their News: “Houston did me dirty. I can’t wait til next year when we go to Houston. I’m not shooting. All defense. Somebody getting locked da fu** up. I still feel blessed but they messed up my bird rights. So it’s on as long as I’m in the league.” (Ron Artest, Twitter)

Our Quick Analysis: For Ron Artest, these comments were about respect and motivation. Not his Larry Bird rights or money.

After helping Houston advance to the second round of the NBA Finals and pushing the eventual world champion Los Angeles Lakers to seven games, Artest likely felt he was deserving of more consideration from the Rockets during free agency.

Well, perhaps.

Sure, ‘H-Town’ GM Daryl Morey didn’t break down doors to sign the lockdown defender. And sure, Artest behaved last season for Rick Adelman, putting together a productive year on and off court.

However, everything changed when Yao Ming’s injury became career-threatening. With no superstar five-man, the Rockets likely re-evaluated their circumstances and, for any number of reasons, decided against giving Artest a multi-year deal.

Morey may have felt Artest was playing the good soldier because he was in a contract season. If rewarded with the security of a long-term pact, Ron-Ron, the forward’s trouble-making alter ego, could re-appear.

Mr. Moneyball may have preferred the rebuild route. With Tracy McGrady and Yao out indefinitely, Morey might have believed another direction was needed.

Whatever the reason, the lockdown defender felt slighted by the lack of love from Houston. To be fair, Artest was the featured player on an undermanned, blue-collar squad that beat Portland and nearly upset Los Angeles this past playoff.

Now after signing with the Lakers, he has jiffy marked on the calender games verses the Rockets. This isn’t uncommon in professional sports. Players use insults, both real and perceived, as motivation to perform.

A focused and calm Artest is something to behold on-court. And the strong, Los Angeles, will be stronger in 2010.

Should Ron Artest be upset with Houston? Why? Why not? Let us know in the comment box below. Follow Oly Sandor on HoopsVibe and Twitter. Photo courtesy of sith120.

13 Comments: Should Ron Artest be upset with the Houston Rockets?

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Posted by
John
on 08.29.2009

The Rockets without Artest would have never made the playoffs. There is no loyalty with these owners because its just gambling to them when they trade players. .

Posted by
john
on 08.25.2009

I hope this guy breaks his leg or kills jack nicholson. He looks like a baboon sat on his face. Go to hell Ron. .

Posted by
ronh
on 08.25.2009

Artest will win about 2 titles with the lakers. The best revenge is winning if he stays healthy he will have a big year. .

Posted by
Jake
on 08.24.2009

No Snika I honestly dont think Ariza is the caliber of Artest, and you have a valid point in your statement, The reason I said that is because Ariza is a promising young forward while Artest may only have a few good yrs left in the tank, thats all. Gotta start injecting youth somewhere. .

Posted by
Jake
on 08.24.2009

Posted by
Snika
on 08.24.2009

Do you really think Ariza is the caliber player good enough to replace Ron Artest??? Houston needs to overhaul their roster, Scola would be great trade bait, because of his toughness. Scratch this year though, be glad you have T-Macs expiring contract and hope that Yao fully recovers... .

Posted by
intheenemycamp.blogspot.com
on 08.24.2009

i am SO tired of hearing that RON got the rockets out of the first round! as if it were all his doing. where is the proof for this? it could not have been because we faced someone BESIDES the Jazz, or because of other personnel, team chemistry, or pure chance. the fact that Ron STOPPED ball movement and jacked up way too many low perc. shots is SO overlooked, like it’s the white elephant in the room. i am glad he is gone. he made strides, but as far as i am concerned he can call up TO and ocho cinco and they can start their own team: The "all about me club". .

Posted by
Jake
on 08.24.2009

I think he has some reason to be upset, after all he was the best player on the team when Yao was down. However, GM Daryl Morey was smart to not sign him and go for the younger Trevor Ariza. Artest was in a contract yr, and with Yao a big question mark and T-Mac’s contract expiring its time the Rockets got younger with a solid core of Ariza, Aaron Brooks, and Luis Scola. Artest is a good fit for Los Angeles and being there with Kobe and Lamar Odom should keep him tame. He has some reason to be mad but not resigning him has more to do with rebuilding as opposed to his skill as a player. .

Posted by
O.Sandor
on 08.24.2009

LA is a perfect place for him. Phil, after dealing with Rodman, will handle Ron-Ron ... no issues at all. It should be great. .

Posted by
gangsta girl
on 08.24.2009

we lost a great player, i wish him the best with the lakers. .

Posted by
Snika
on 08.24.2009

He did get them further than T-Mac ever did... which is wierd. Artest will never get the respect or money that he deserves because of his past... I can’t wait to see how he does in LA. Perfect stage for him. .

Posted by
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on 08.24.2009

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	About Oly Sandor
Daily take on NBA Oly Sandor is an NBA analyst and sports journalist based out of Vancouver, Canada.After years of the free-lance game, Oly Sandor is bringing his unique brand of NBA analysis exclusively to (...) More

Should Ron Artest be upset with the Houston Rockets?

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