REVISIONIST HISTORY 0105:

...The Knicks Should Trade For Ron Artest

by Guichard Cadet


We close out previous months by revisiting stances made in previous columns, and/or other forums.

Right now both teams need to make that trade, but for different reasons. The Pacers need a small forward who can score and defend. The Knicks need an emotional leader, a star(ter) who connects to its fan base, and whose play motivates his teammates.

The Pacers had championship aspirations. Whatever their failure may become this season, Ron Artest cannot return and be a constant reminder of this breakdown.

The Knicks’ hopes were more modest. Make the playoffs, and build for next year.

The trade is essentially Jerome Williams for Ron Artest. To make the numbers match both on and off the court, the Knicks would throw in either offensive threat – Anferne Hardaway or Tim Thomas. The Pacers will do the same by adding another player.


I never knew the appeal Ron Artest had for some NBA league participants – fans included. In the 1999 NBA draft, coming out of St. John’s University, Artest went to the Chicago Bulls, number 16.

Guess who had the 15th pick of the 1st Round?

Guess who the Knicks picked? Frederick Weis, the hurdle Vince Carter jumped over, to become another lovable superstar the media love to hate.

Someone in the Knicks front office knew something, or that person knew nothing. Picking draft picks is tricky business, and that year is a perfect example. Of all the players taken ahead of Artest, only one, Baron Davis still plays with the franchise that drafted him.

Of the ones drafted after Artest, only Devean George (Lakers) and Andrei Kirilenko (Utah) are with their original draft-day club.

This proves, in the age of free agency and guaranteed contracts, revision is part of the landscape.

Revising history needs full cooperation from parties who may not be ready to admit culpability.

But they will do so if the spin is tight; the public relations hit minimal; and the numbers match, on and off the court:

1. Isiah Thomas – Coaching Artest when Indiana acquired him via a trade from the Chicago Bulls. During his tenure, Thomas got the team thinking they could be the reincarnation of his Bad Boys championship team in Detroit.

Yes, Artest is an emotional player. Though he hurls objects and says inappropriate things, had I been the coach that night, he would never have gone into the stands. He has that much respect for me.


2. James Dolan – His need for “character” in his players does not incorporate the fact that the fans love players who play with emotion. Mason. Spreewell. Oft-times, these players’ attitudes make those around them play harder, and WIN games. Fans love effort, as fortied by the appeal of Jerome “Junk Yard Dog” Williams.

I hear Artest is a real generous person and very involved in the community.


3. Rick Carlisle – All he had to do was give Artest a month off. Neither tea leaves nor tarot cards were needed to foretell Artest would get his time off, one way or another. Except for Reggie Miller, Carlisle does not have that mental connection with the team’s key players.

I love my guys and would go to war with them, no matter the situation. All of them, including Ronny. It’s just that, right now, we have a chance to win one, for Reggie. So this is a trade we have to make. I am really sorry to see him go.


4. Larry Bird – He took a job, knowing, deep in his gut that he would fire the coach. But, first, he had to get the superstar signed. Then, he hires his former assistant coach and buddy. Let’s just say karma is a mistress who swears she’s on the pill.

It’s a win-win for everyone. Isiah and I had a good laugh over the situation, including our friendly rivalry over the past two decades. We see this as the spark to reignite the great rivalry our two clubs shared, not long ago.


5. Ron Artest – Why not fight Ben Wallace? Why fight the fans?

I know many claim that I’m soft and was scared Ben would body me. The truth is Ben is my brother, not from just a racial standpoint. I am like you the average fan, you New Yorkers. I am the kind of guy who would choke the coach. The fan that threw the beer on me is more than the coach. He is not the proletariat, the common man who cannot afford seats so close to the action. That fan is what is wrong with society. To think that you, while doing your job, are expected to accept insults and objects thrown at you. I will never throw anything at you. And, I know you respectful NY fans may come up with clever chants. But, you would never stoop so low. I am from here. I am you.


With this trade and every one on the same page:

The Pacers make the playoffs, with a decent chance to make it to the conference finals.

The Knicks bottom out, while earnestly pointing to the draft lottery, and next year’s roster.

Media and fans are satisfied because they have much to talk about.