Artest vs Maggette - No Contest

Ron Artest does not give the Clippers the outside shooting that they need and he has never been a great outside shooter from the 3. Everything else about Ron Artest we have to put in past tense. He looks like a horrible washed up player at a very young age. His defense isn't even close to what it used to be, his shooting percentage is lousy, and to put his performance in the words of last nights commentators, "He looked like a zombie out there." He looks disinterested. Like he is just going throught the motions. He also looks 20 pounds overweight so he is a half step slow as well. You might remember that just last off season he spoke of retiring and going off to do music. To me he looks like he has already reitred.

On the other hand, Corey Maggette put in one of his usual great performances last night. His shooting percentage is good, his percentage from the line is great, his defense was more than adequate, and his rebounding is solid every night. Moreover, when Corey is in the game, our point spread improves. Last night we were down 6 early in the first quarter. Corey comes in and by mid way throught the second, we were up 6. He leaves and we end up leading at the half by 1. This happens all the time. Most importantly, considering he has been the subject of every trade rumor imaginable, his attitude every night has been unbelievable.

Corey Maggette is the type of guy that you want on your team. Ron Artest is not. If we are indeed going to trade for somebody, it has to be somebody other than Ron Artest. Ron Artest is done. Moreover, many have speculated that the reason the trade didn't move forward is because the Kings asked for another asset in addition Corey to get the deal done. They have got to be kidding. It should be the other way around.

Or better yet, maybe we do not want to do this deal at all. We should consider having Clippers management all get together with Corey for a group hug and declare he is off the market. We can protect Brand, Kaman, Corey, and Livingston, trade one other player along with one of our surplus first round draft picks, and Rebraca's expiring contract, for the outside shooter that we desire. That is enough to get us a good one. And we get to keep Corey.

We have all spoke lately about how our Coach is not performing properly all the time and being out of touch with reality. Well, Elgin Baylor and the owner Donald Sterling both love Corey Maggette. It is Dumleavy who likes Ron Artest. If you watched last nights game, you would wonder what is wrong with Dumleavy's perception of players and the game.

For one thing, most teams are not trying to emulate the Suns style of play, even though they might not go all the way to the extreme the Suns have. But young, fast, athletic players going for it in a run and gun style is where the NBA is heading right now. Not only is scoring up the last couple of seasons, but this style of play is more fun to watch. Dumleavy on the other hand is running a slow down game reminiscent of the Chicago Bulls back in the 80's.

I think we all need to take a step back and really analyze where we are at the moment, what we really need, and how to get there. I hope that after last nights game, Clipper management saw what a BIG mistake they almost made. I hope they take a deep breath, pause, and start to rethink the path forward. We need to keep Corey and add a shooter. We are just one injury away from actually being short handed. And we haven't always been playing that well with the depth we have now. OK, now, everybody, group hug, and send some great vibes to Corey. It is now time for the Clippers fans, when Corey comes to the free throw line, to start a chant. "Keep Corey, fire Dumleavy" or "MVP". If you are at a home game, it is your responsibily to start the chant. Stand up, wave your hands, run up and down an aisle, start the chant, and wait for security to come and get you. Wait a minute, they don't bother "Clipper Daryl."

JamFan