Ron Artest Would Be Perfect in Miami

That's right. Ron Artest.

Let that soak in for a second - if you can.

If any player out there that could help turn this Heat team around immediately and also put that fire back in the Heat it would be Ron Artest.



Yes, the same guy that was tossed from the Triple A for having a nuclear meltdown as a Pacer back in 2003. You may remember, he bumped into Pat Riley and incited the Heat bench. In the first quarter of that game, Riley was protesting to an official about Artest's blatant foul on Caron Butler. This got a tech for both Butler and Riley, and Artest came over as Riley was talking to the officials and had some words for the Heat coach. Riley told Artest to go away - which he did until the 4th quarter. After making a layup and drawing a foul, Artest flexed his right arm at the Heat's bench. Keith Askins, bow tie and all, started yelling at Artest and the two had words while Riley actually pushed Artest away.

"Coach Riley was into it," Artest said. "Their bench was into it. We were into it. That's how it's supposed to be..."

That is exactly what the Heat were missing this past season: focus.

No player is more controversial these days in the NBA and we don't need to recount the suspensions and antics of Ron Artest. Yet, no one can deny the fire and intensity Artest plays with nor is there any player with more upside and a better price tag at this time.

Simply put, Artest brings a sizzle to the Heat they have not had since they acquired Shaq. The funny thing is, this deal could prove to be more important.

He can defend any position on the floor, which will give the Heat great flexibility. Artest can also play with the ball or without the ball on the offensive side of things which makes him an excellent candidate to complement Shaq and Wade's offensive sets as the two of them will dominate the ball.

It may not be as complicated to land Ron Artest as it seems. He is currently locked in for a few more years at $7.5 million. The Kings are apparently looking to deal him or Mike Bibby, but if the Heat play their cards right, they could acquire Artest. For starters, Artest's unpredictable antics drive his value down and his contract further undercuts Artest as an asset. The Heat would have to match the NBA salary rule (125% + 100K) and a possible deal that would meet those goals would be Udonis Haslem ($5.5M) and Dorell Wright ($1.3M) for Artest.

Why that deal would work: The Heat would be flexible enough to play Artest at PF or SF, and the Heat could have an option like Simien at PF or even Kapono/Posey at SF (depending on who was re-signed).

Of course, the Heat could trade beleaguered forward Antoine Walker for Artest straight up, but there is little incentive for the Kings to make that move as they just seem to want to move the liability that is Artest's contract. Giving up Haslem and Wright would sweeten the deal most likely beyond anything other teams would be willing to part with.

Ron Artest has tremendous upside and the history of the Heat organization dealing with "character" issues has been positive mostly due to Pat Riley's influence and commanding presence. In fact, it might just be the missing component for Ron Artest's career.

It also seems Ron Artest has always been the most dire of Dennis Rodman impersonators, except Artest actually has a very good offensive game as well. The Rodman era Bulls were wise to let Rodman do his thing, but proved their strength by not letting it be a distraction. On a team like the Heat, highlighted with brand named superstars like Dwyane Wade and Shaq, taking a chance on the nutty antics of Artest could have the same result - a team that is fierce, intimidating, and focused. It is a heaven or hell type of deal: heavenly in championships follow, hellish in darkness beyond comprehension.

It is a chance that the Heat should take. It achieves what Pat Riley is setting out to do this offseason - reclaim the Heat culture. Adding Artest might also get Zo and Posey to stay on board, too. For opponents of the Heat, that is a frightening proposition. Artest could also challenge Shaq's lethargy and apathy in a good way - in practice and on the floor. He could also help disguise it.

The offseason has begun. And Ron Artest, strangely, is exactly what the Heat need.