Artest to Houston

ESPN - Rockets agree to send pick, Greene, Jackson to Kings for Artest - NBA

NBA front-office sources confirmed to ESPN.com that Artest will be dealt to the Rockets in exchange for Houston's first-round draft pick in 2009, ex-King Bobby Jackson (who arrives with a $6.1 million expiring contract) and the draft rights to Donte Greene. The Kings will also receive more than $1 million in cash, according to The Houston Chronicle, but the deal can't be announced before Aug. 14 because Greene is not eligible to be traded before then.

That makes Houston an instant contender for the NBA title. The west will be tough with them, the Lakers, New Orleans, and Utah as the top 4. You figure Portland and San Antonio will be in the playoffs as well. Not much room for Phoenix, Dallas, Golden State, the Clippers, and Denver.

With Artest coming in, i would expect him to become the starter over Shane Battier at the 3. If so, that would be a great defensive presence on the court at all times.

I'm not sure if Battier has started at PF or if he has for how long, but i doubt he would start over Scola given that Battier is a little undersized for a 4.

Rockets are certainly going to be scary good.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 33isgod

With Artest coming in, i would expect him to become the starter over Shane Battier at the 3. If so, that would be a great defensive presence on the court at all times.

I'm not sure if Battier has started at PF or if he has for how long, but i doubt he would start over Scola given that Battier is a little undersized for a 4.

Rockets are certainly going to be scary good.

---

...if they stay healthy. Yao and McGrady always seem to get some kind of injury.

"I understand what Yao said, but I'm still ghetto," Artest said, according to the report. "That's not going to change. I'm never going to change my culture. Yao has played with a lot of black players, but I don't think he's ever played with a black player that really represents his culture as much as I represent my culture. Once Yao Ming gets to know me, he'll understand what I'm about."

ESPN - Report: Artest replies to Yao, seeks 'commitment' from Rockets - NBA