What does Phil Jackson think of the Ariza / Artest situation?
"I wasn't given the either or [the choice between Ariza and Artest]. I know Ron has been on our wish list for what, 3 years now? We needed a defender besides -- I mean somebody that was a lock down defender besides Kobe Bryant that could take on the chores, and, you know, Trevor turned out to be that guy this year.
"And so I was quite surprised, as was most of our fans I think, that, you know, negotiations did not go well with Trevor and his people. "
"And uh, you know, we think we have a player [in Ron Artest] that has probably a little more dimensions than Trevor, but still Trevor has that youth and that speed that we'll miss."
-- Phil Jackson to FSR's Myers and Hartman
Far more interesting, however...
Prior to the Lakers acquiring Artest, Phil Jackson told KLAC/570 that after the Lakers eliminated the Rockets from the playoffs in game six of the Westen Conference Semi-Finals, Ron Artest "eagerly" sought out Phil Jackson for an awkward meeting...in the Lakers' locker room shower!
"Ron said, 'Coach, I can help your team. I can help you get that championship,'" Jackson said.
"He’s an unknown," Jackson said. "He’s a player that even I think his own teams don’t know exactly what he’s going to do that particular night."
But what does seem to be a known, is that Ron Artest wants to win an NBA championship ... enough to approach an opposing coach in a locker room shower to make a pitch for it.
Very interesting indeed.
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Thanks Dude for this group,
Wallyville06I think when "head cases","problem children" or other "implements of destruction" assimilate into situations where they are not the "show", but just one of the lights of the show that could be replaced at anytime, they have a tendency to fall in line.
We won without Artest. It might have been different if he had come before Ariza and after the Boston debacle,but hes coming after another NBA Banner will be hoisted.
We could've won without him this year. It is possible that Farmar, Vu, and Bynum could all have hit their potential and have great years further destroying this league.
He has to realize what rung of the pole hes on. There is Phil/Kobe-Gasol-Fish-LO-----(Luke)???? just kidding bout Luke. Artest will be the 3rd-4th option at times unless hes with the 2nd unit.
I think he gets that.....
If he doesn't, he will spend the year in Phil's meditative dog house. Ya know vey few are heard from again when that happens.
lmao
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02:39 PM EST