RON ARTEST WANTS TRADE OUT OF L.A.

  • Wanna Join? New users you can now register lightning fast using your Facebook or Twitter accounts.
Jan 12, 2006
13,259
1,117
0
#21
Ron Artest 'definitely' doesn't want trade

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- His season has been filled with more downs than ups, but Ron Artest says he's still happy to be a Laker, and isn't interested in playing for another team.

Ron Artest

Artest

Denying a report from ESPN.com's Marc Stein, Artest said Wednesday at Lakers practice that he doesn't want to be traded.

"No, definitely not," Artest said.

Stein cited a source close to Artest who said the 11-year veteran, in the second year of a five-year contract with the Lakers, is unhappy with his limited role in the team's offense, and feels he's being blamed too much for the Lakers' collective struggles. Artest, who through 49 games is averaging career lows in points (8.1 per game) and shots (7.6 per game), said he understood his role as an offensive player would diminish when he signed with the Lakers before the 2009-10 season, and difficulties in adjusting to a still-evolving role shouldn't be mistaken for discontent.

"Just because you're not comfortable doesn't mean that you're not happy," he said. "Obviously when I was on other teams, I got a lot of touches. But I'm playing with the greatest player in the history of the game, and I'm playing with All-Stars. I don't have a problem with looking bad on the court for the benefit of the team."

More on the Lakers

For more news, notes and analysis of the Lakers, check out the Land O' Lakers blog from the Kamenetzky Brothers. Blog

Playing time has also been an issue for Artest, whose minutes are down to a career low of 27.8 per game, about five fewer than his first season in Los Angeles. He didn't play in the fourth quarter of both the team's loss to Boston on Sunday afternoon and Tuesday's win over Houston. Head coach Phil Jackson said health played a role, after Artest took a knee to the thigh in the first half against the Celtics.

"Ron's limited in his activity, simply because he got banged up in the Boston game," Jackson said. "He's really limited. He's not running freely. You can see it [in the second half against Houston] -- he couldn't get loose again. A lot of things go into this besides the speculation which you guys have going on."

Jackson dismissed the report out of hand.

"You guys know that's something we don't put credence in. Those reports have very little to do with what's really going on," he said, adding he believes life in Los Angeles suits Artest well. "I think he likes the Lakers, and I think he likes the action, and he likes the attention we get as a basketball club. I think that feeds into who he is as a person."

Artest dismissed the source's contention that he feels picked on. Jackson, however, said he understood why he might.

"He's like the new guy on the block. Sometimes that happens," Jackson said. "I understand there have been some newspaper articles about his performances. He doesn't get picked on here."

Earlier this season, when reports of an argument with Jackson during practice surfaced, Artest expressed disappointment and hurt someone would express private things publicly, particularly at a time in his career when he's committed to rehabilitating his checkered image. On Wednesday, Artest chalked up the latest story surrounding him to the team's spotty performance on the floor.

"We've lost a couple games, and people are trying to probably see what's going on," he said. "There are a bunch of stories going on with the Lakers that are false."

He certainly didn't dwell on the news this morning. Asked what he did when he heard of the report, Artest shrugged.

"I just went to get some breakfast, man, and [went] to practice," he said. "Serious. I'm gonna get some breakfast and go to practice. You can't worry about it. We won yesterday, but didn't play great so we still got a job to do here. So just come to practice and get ready, and try to work towards another banner."
 
Jan 12, 2006
13,259
1,117
0
#22
they will be when kobes gone.. enjoy it.. because you guys have nothing after that.. whos gonna run the team shannon brown? pau gasol? hahahah pleaase!

phil jackson is gonna be gone too..
damn stop hating son you're starting to look like a groupie! Its the LAKERS!!!! They draft and sign the best talent in the world!! they don't have 16 titles by luck. They make sure that every year they contend for the NBA championship! yea they have hit some slumps but even then they were still competing. Once Kobe is gone don't be surprised to see them sign Durant, Melo or some other big name to take over! Everyone wants to play for the Lakers, its not hard convincing an all star premier player to come further his career in LA. The place where West, Kareem, Kobe, Shaq, Magic, Worthy, Chamberlain and many others solidified their name in NBA history.
 
Jan 5, 2006
13,536
3,427
0
36
#24
lol you calling me a groupie???? look in the mirror.. regardless of what you say fuck the lakers..

its a damn shame youre a niner and giants fan too..

I live in LA and say FUCK THE LAKERS! AND DODGERS!
 

WXS STOMP3R

SENIOR GANG MEMBER
Feb 27, 2006
6,313
1,454
113
48
#26
PLEASE FOOL

they will be when kobes gone.. enjoy it.. because you guys have nothing after that.. whos gonna run the team shannon brown? pau gasol? hahahah pleaase!

phil jackson is gonna be gone too..
THATS WHAT THEY SAID WHEN SHAQ LEFT...WHEN KOBE IS READY TO STEP DOWN WE'LL ALREADY HAVE A BEAST IN THE RANKS READY TO TAKE HIS PLACE...MOTHERFUCKERS ACT LIKE THEY AINT KNOWING...
 

WXS STOMP3R

SENIOR GANG MEMBER
Feb 27, 2006
6,313
1,454
113
48
#27
DONT HATE BITCH

^^^ 13 outta next 20??? Stfu. After Kobe it's going to be a long time. Just like after magic
BUT WHAT HAPPENED AFTER MAGIC WAS GONE??? 5 MORE TITLES BUDDY...CELTICS HAVE WON ONE TITLE AFTER LARRY BIRD WAS GONE...PLAYERS WANNA GO TO THE LAKERS CAUSE OF THE PRESTIGE...WHAT TEAM IN THE HISTORY OF MODERN BASKETBALL OTHER THAN THE BULLS HAVE BEEN CONSISTENTLY CHAMPIONSHIP CALIBER???
THE PISTONS DID THEIR LIL THING...THE SPURS DID THERE LIL THING...BUT WE LOST A DYNASTY AND THREE YEARS LATER CAME BACK WITH A NEW ONE...NOT MANY TEAMS CAN DO THAT
 
Mar 12, 2010
2,722
9
0
46
#28
phil will finish his three peat he will have the lakers running on all cyclinders by the time playoffs come around and your defending world champions will definately compete.
 

WXS STOMP3R

SENIOR GANG MEMBER
Feb 27, 2006
6,313
1,454
113
48
#32
THESE GUYS OUGHT TO JUST GIVE PROPS AS NEEDED AND KEEP IT ON GO...
I AINT A YANKEE FAN BUT I KNOW EVERY YEAR THEIR GONNA BE A FACTOR SOMEHOW...
I'M NOT A STEELER FAN BUT I KNOW THEY HAVE A TOUGH TEAM EVERY YEAR AS WELL...CANT HATE ON A TEAM THAT CONSISTENTLY REMAINS COMPETITVE...
ESPECIALLY IF YOUR TEAMS MANAGEMENT ARENT WILLING TO DO WHAT IT TAKES TO MAKE YOUR TEAM COMPETITIVE, YEAR AFTER YEAR...ENJOY THE GAME AND STOP HATING...LIFE IS NICE WHEN, THE HATERISM ISNT DISPLAYED IN FULL FORCE...
 
Apr 13, 2007
1,059
12
0
34
#33
damn stop hating son you're starting to look like a groupie! Its the LAKERS!!!! They draft and sign the best talent in the world!! they don't have 16 titles by luck. They make sure that every year they contend for the NBA championship! yea they have hit some slumps but even then they were still competing. Once Kobe is gone don't be surprised to see them sign Durant, Melo or some other big name to take over! Everyone wants to play for the Lakers, its not hard convincing an all star premier player to come further his career in LA. The place where West, Kareem, Kobe, Shaq, Magic, Worthy, Chamberlain and many others solidified their name in NBA history.
Draft?? Who have the struck gold in drafting the last 25 years? Scrub ass players. Ya'll buy your players like the Yanks. Anyone can win games and rings with 3 extra players on the floor and the main head, David Stern, on your team. Shitt anyone could win with all that help.
 
Jan 5, 2006
13,536
3,427
0
36
#34
kobe wasnt drafted by the lakers, i give you guys props for drafting magic that's about it...

Chamberlain was a WARRIOR when he dropped a hunned points.. Kareem wasn't drafted by The Lakers either.. point here is you guys don't develop your talent you get it from somewhere else.. via trade or free agent. I keep telling you Lakers fans they wont threepeat.. Spurs and Celtics, two teams better than yall this year.
 
Jan 12, 2006
13,259
1,117
0
#35
Draft?? Who have the struck gold in drafting the last 25 years? Scrub ass players. Ya'll buy your players like the Yanks. Anyone can win games and rings with 3 extra players on the floor and the main head, David Stern, on your team. Shitt anyone could win with all that help.
thats what i meant by sign! they sign free agents
 
Jan 12, 2006
13,259
1,117
0
#37
Yeah I read that, but you also said DRAFT too.
how do you expect the lakers to be the best at drafting, its kinda hard to pick up elite talent when you constantly have the last pick in the draft. They make the best out of the situation they're in. Also last time i checked this isn't baseball. There is a salary cap, its not my fault other owners are cheap and don't fully use the salary cap.
 
Jan 12, 2006
13,259
1,117
0
#40
I dunno... "sports guru," why don't you tell us... you're the one that fucking said it!



lol... clown...
lol @ picking apart one little statement the Sports Guru made. get off my nuts son! i meant draft and sign together. I didnt say we get all of our talent from the draft. and we might as well drafted Kobe we traded for him before he ever hit the court.