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Artest: Nuggets would be better with me

By Chris Tomasson, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published April 4, 2008 at 8:50 p.m.
Updated April 4, 2008 at 8:53 p.m.

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Sacramento forward Ron Artest, who faces the Nuggets on Saturday for the first time since they considered acquiring him in February, said the Nuggets would be higher in the standings if he were with them.

“(If) God put me in Denver, it’s no question they would be a better team,’’ Artest wrote in an e-mail Friday.

But Artest wrote “the Kings didn’t want to trade (him), so it was impossible for me to be a Nugget.’’ But he joked, “The only way I was coming to Denver is if (forward Carmelo Anthony) was in the deal.’’

Artest also wrote he doesn’t plan to opt out of contract next season for $7.4 million.

“My agent does not want me to opt out and it is his choice,’’ Artest wrote about Mark Stevens.

Kings coach Reggie Theus believes the Nuggets would be in better playoff position had they been able to trade for Artest.

“Even though I didn’t want him to go, if they had a chance to get Ron and they didn’t, shame on them because they would not be struggling in that eighth spot,’’ Theus told the Sacramento Bee for Saturday’s editions. “Just look at their lineup with Ron, and they would’ve been pretty tough to deal with.’’

For Artest, the Kings sought Eduardo Najera and Linas Kleiza, a young player Denver wouldn’t trade. Another reason cited for nixing the deal was to not stunt the development of J.R. Smith, averaging 15.3 points the past 26 games.

Anthony had pushed for the Nuggets to acquire Artest.

“Carmelo made my son and daughter happy when we found out that he wanted me on his team,’’ Artest wrote. “He is my son’s favorite player. It made me feel blessed that he wanted me on his team and I immediately thanked God for that.’’

Nene to start?

With forward Kenyon Martin serving a one-game suspension, Nuggets coach George Karl said Nene, who has played three games since missing 21/2 months because of testicular cancer surgery, is a candidate to start. Other candidates are Kleiza and Najera, although Karl said Najera, who provides energy off the bench, is the least likely.

“He’s played incredibly,” Karl said of Nene averaging 4.0 points and 4.5 rebounds in 8.0 minutes the past two games.

Karl said Nene’s return has been inspirational. He recalled having a heart-to-heart talk with Nene at dinner March 20 at a Brazilian restaurant in New York.

“I don’t think Nene even understands how he helps other guys by playing,” Karl said. “He helps the spirit of the team. ... It’s a tough story for us, but what we’re trying to do is make it the ending of a good story.”

Cal looks elsewhere

With California having chosen Mike Montgomery, Nuggets assistant Mike Dunlap called it a “great” experience talking to the school about the job. Dunlap said no other colleges are now eyeing him, but Karl said one could surface.

“There are some musical chairs that have yet to happen,” Karl said. “I probably know someday he’s going to go.”

He said it

“John Calipari’s my coach. I got to ride with him.”

Marcus Camby, Nuggets center, wanting his coach at Massachusetts to win the NCAA title with Memphis.

Comments

  • April 5, 2008

    9:20 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Spider writes:

    Time will show that not getting Artest was a blessing in disguise.

  • April 5, 2008

    12:33 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Broncos4Life writes:

    It's only a matter of time that the Nuggets make a big trade in the next couple of years to get to the next level. Let's hope that it does'nt involve Artest. The guy is a train wreck waiting to happen.

  • April 5, 2008

    1:22 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    TONE writes:

    I live is Sacramento and I'm glad that the NUGGET didn't get him. Man he think basketball involve around him. He think he is Jordan of basketball or better yet even higher then Jordan. Come on, King were better when Ron was not in the line up. All that time he was out they were playing team ball and winning, then Ron came back and LOSER! came along with it!
    RON + NUGGET = LOSER!!!!. Thank GOD ron is still here, cuase I dont want my Nugget with some CANCER VIRUS INFESTED RON RON.
    Ron said he would Denver a better team. YES, with Ron, Denver would definitely have a higher pick in the draft, cuase they would have been playing like the East Coast team(LOSER!)

  • April 5, 2008

    1:34 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    JasonM writes:

    Denver already made their "big trade" when they traded for Iverson. All they need is a few minor pieces and they will be fine. They don't need an entire All-Star squad to contend (which is what they almost already have). Ron Artest is a good player, but he is also like a ticking time bomb and you don't know what to expect. There are already enough personalities on that team, they need his antics. And he wasn't worth giving up both Eddie and Klieza, maybe one or the other, but not both. What the Nuggets team need is a new Coach to take them to the next level...they will be perfectly fine without Artest, he just mad cause he stuck on that Kings team. LOL!