(From the diaries. - TZ)

I was listening to a podcast between J.A. Adande and Joe Maloof on the main NBA page of espn.com and I heard some interesting tidbits. The main thing that caught my attention was Joe's comment regarding Ron Artest. This is a direct quote, slightly paraphrased, made around the 5:30 minute mark of the podcast. "I love Ron Artest... I hope he does not opt-out... and that we have an opportunity to resign him to a longterm contract."

Maybe this isn't anything new but I'm interested to hear the Royalty's take on this. He seemed fairly sincere and, in my estimation, dead serious about his desire to retain Ron Artest for the long haul. He mentioned how Artest "saved the team last season, oh I mean two seasons ago" and how he makes Gavin's little heart go pitter-patter. He also mentioned that missing the playoffs last year was a "catastrophe" and that he was real excited about the fast development and "above the rim" play of Shock and Hawes (by the way who coined that Kfan in Korea is the first I've seen...anybody want to take the credit here).

Joe also mentioned that the pickup of Beno has been key in the Kings' strong youth movement but he did not mention any potential contract offerings even though he was included in the conversation on the future of the Kings. The fact that Joe seemed so readily dejected at the thought of the Kings not being a factor in the playoff race has slightly changed my thinking on how tight the purse strings will be in the future. I, like most here, have diligently clung to the idea that the Maloofs would under no uncertain circumstances pay the luxury tax. Maybe it was just to seem positive, but Joe seemed very determined to put a winning product on the floor here in Sacramento. The Maloofs are businessmen so I am positive that they know the Kings' cap situation and that they basically cannot really sign anyone of significance after Beno, IF he accepts what the Kings have to offer. However, as I have indicated, he seems set on offering a deal to Ron-Ron and I truly believe in my heart that Artest will receive some sort of offer by the Kings. We here at StR have diligently debated the pros and cons of having Artest on this team so I'm not trying to directly stimulate that debate here, although I will surely participate and encourage it if that occurs. I am more interested if y'all (yes I live in Texas....what you wanna fight about it) think that Ron will really get an offer (if he does not opt-out) from the Kings. If he does get an offer, how can this be fiscally accomplished?

On a side note I have offically given-up as the Kings travel to Houston tonight and I'm not going to go. Since the win streak is over for the Rockets the arena should be empty, as usual. Should be competitive as the Rockets won last meeting (with the win streak at around 8) on a last second Novak three. If the Kings pull that out then history is not made...funny how the world works.

For those who care: It looks as if Kfan in Korea did coin the term Shock and Hawes with an assist from TZ. On another note, Spencer was 14 years old when the original Shock and Awe occcured. Yikes!