From an ESPN article on Houston: Artest can also step into the role Shane Battier played for the...

From an ESPN article on Houston:

Artest can also step into the role Shane Battier played for the Rockets last season, defending the opposing team's top scorer. Artest said he was asked to score more for the Kings last season and that coach Reggie Theus told him to ease up on defense to conserve energy.

"I think I can play a little harder on defense now," he said. "I always wanted to guard the best player. Coach wouldn't let me guard the best player all the time, because I had to score also. This year, I can go all-out on defense. I haven't had that joy in a couple of years."

Granted, everything Artest says needs to be taken with a grain of salt the size of a man's head. But does it concern anyone else if we had one of the league's premier defensive players and Theus really told him not to defend so much to conserve energy for offense?

Did Theus tell Artest to ease up on defense?

over 3 years ago twasserm 6 comments 1 recs |

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And it should be quite obvious to everyone

that I have no idea what I’m doing when it come to formatting a Fanshot.

by twasserm on Sep 30, 2008 8:08 AM PDT reply actions

"comes" ^

…or typing, apparently.

by twasserm on Sep 30, 2008 8:09 AM PDT up reply actions

… be more likely to believe had it not come out of Artest’s mouth as he seeks to inflate his own value. I mean, Ron also said the coaching staff — who had to be threatened to play the kids in March — wasn’t trying to win last year, which is ridiculous.

by Tom Ziller on Sep 30, 2008 8:43 AM PDT reply actions

I give this no credence

Spencer Hawes had to earn his minutes by playing defense. Justin Williams was cast adrift due to his inability to grasp defensive schemes. Douby didn’t get the hook for missing a shot – he got hooked for blowing a defensive assignment. So while Theus was preaching defense, defense, defense to everyone else, he told Artest to ease up? Right.

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by section214 on Sep 30, 2008 1:09 PM PDT reply actions

I'm not so sure

Theus asked me to play less defense last year, too. And if any of you can cite one instance where I made a spectacular defensive play, I’ll buy you a Coke.

Rocks are free, and slingshots easily stolen.

by andy sims on Sep 30, 2008 10:49 PM PDT reply actions