Houston to acquire Ron Artest?

The headline in the Sacramento Bee reads "It's a no-risk, no-brainer deal for talented Houston." I couldn't agree more. When his mind is right (of course, there is no guarantee on that), Ron Artest is one of the best players in the league. And to get his talent for Bobby Jackson, Donte Greene and next year's first-round draft pick is a steal.

The Western Conference is certainly overloaded with talent. And the Southwest is the most competititve division in the West. But with 7'5" Yao Ming, one of the league's 2 best centers along with Dwight Howard, and Mr. Mismatch himself Tracy McGrady, Artest will form one of the most talented trios in the NBA. I believe the Rockets (with Ron Artest) have as good of a chance to come out of the West and win an NBA Championship as any other team. He will finally have a legitimate chance to win it all.

And what NBA player (or professional athlete in general) doesn't seem to perform his best when a new contract is on the line? As a sports fan, that's one of the things that frustrates me. It makes me think that the player coulda, shoulda, woulda played the same way in non-contract years. From the Rockets point of view, however, they will have Artest in that contract season. So whether they negotiate a new deal or let him walk (or even trade him during the season since some team would likely pay a premium), Houston is in the driver's seat.

So with the Kings unlikely to contend in 2008-09 and Artest entering the final year on his contract, he will now be playing for what Shannon Sharpe refers to as the 2 Ms: money and memories. The Rockets just have to hope that he doesn't explode.