08/14/2008 - Houston, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - After much speculation, the Houston Rockets officially landed controversial forward Ron Artest from the Sacramento Kings on Thursday.
Reports have been circulating since July 29, but because of contract considerations, the teams were delayed in making the deal which also brings forward Patrick Ewing Jr. and guard Sean Singletary to the Rockets. The Kings receive guard Bobby Jackson, rookie forward Donte Greene and Houston's 2009 first-round draft pick in the deal.
Greene was the holdup in the trade because he was not permitted to be traded until a month after signing with Houston.
"From hearing Ron's recent statements, it's obvious that he has an immense desire to win," said Rockets owner Leslie Alexander. "We have a team of players who have that same immense desire and Ron will fit right in."
The 28-year-old Artest, a first-round draft pick by the Chicago Bulls in 1999, averaged 20.5 points and 5.8 rebounds in 57 games for the Kings last season. He spent nearly three years in Sacramento after joining the Pacers in 2001-02.
It was during his time with the Pacers that Artest gained his reputation as a hard-nosed player, sometimes over the edge, though. The 2004 Defensive Player of the Year was at the center of the infamous brawl at the Palace of Auburn Hills on November 19, 2004 when he was a member of the Pacers. Artest ran into the crowd after being hit with a cup and started a melee that resulted in a year-long suspension.
Artest was arrested in March 2007 and was later sentenced to 20 days in jail stemming from the domestic violence charge over a dispute with his wife. He had the sentence reduced to 10 days in a work release program and he was also ordered to 100 hours of community service along with anger-management and fathering courses.
During his time with Chicago, Indiana and Sacramento, a span of 535 games, Artest has averaged 16 points and 5.1 rebounds.
The 35-year-old Jackson, who played for the Kings from 2000-05, is coming off a season in which he averaged 7.7 points. He started the year playing for the New Orleans Hornets before being traded to Houston.
During his career, Jackson, a former Sixth Man of the Year, has averaged 10 points since breaking into the NBA in 1997 with Denver. His most prolific years were in a Kings uniform.
Greene was selected 28th overall by the Memphis Grizzlies in the June 26 draft before his rights were traded to Houston that night. The 6-foot-9 Greene entered the draft after one season at Syracuse, where he led the team and ranked fourth in the Big East with 17.7 points per game. The athletic forward also grabbed 7.2 rebounds and blocked 1.6 shots per game en route to second team All-Big East honors.
<< Sounders FC sign American goalkeeper Keller
Kirkland, WA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Seattle Sounders FC signed American
goalkeeper Kasey Keller to a multi-year contract, the team announced on
Thursday.
"Kasey is arguably the top goalkeeper that the United States has
<< Western leader RSL inks Mathis
Salt Lake City, UT (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Real Salt Lake added veteran American
attacker Clint Mathis from Ergotelis FC of the Greek SuperLeague, the team
announced on Thursday.
"Mathis' veteran experience in both MLS and international a
<< Rapids nab defender Gibbs
Commerce City, CO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Colorado Rapids took advantage of
their position in the Major League Soccer allocation table to sign American
defender Cory Gibbs, the team announced on Wednesday.
"Any time you can add a de
<< Seattle Sounders FC
Signed goalkeeper Kasey Keller to a multi-year contract.
Percival leaves game with injury >>
Oakland, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Tampa Bay Rays closer Troy Percival left
Thursday's game with the Oakland Athletics in the ninth inning with an
undisclosed injury.
Percival was injured after fielding a sacrifice bunt from Mark
Report: Patriots add S Lynch >>
Foxborough, MA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The New England Patriots have reportedly
signed John Lynch to a one-year, $1.5 million deal.
According to NFL.com, the nine-time Pro Bowl selection took a physical
Wednesday and will join a team
Heintz, Laird share Wyndham lead >>
Greensboro, NC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Bob Heintz and Martin Laird both opened with
rounds of seven-under-par 63 Thursday to share the lead after the opening
round of the Wyndham Championship.
Tim Clark posted a six-under 64. He was joine
Ochoa leads Sorenstam by one at Canadian Open >>
Ottawa, ON (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - World No. 1 Lorena Ochoa fired a six-under 66
on Thursday to take a one-shot lead over world No. 2 Annika Sorenstam after
the first round of the Canadian Open.
Even though it's just Thursday, this could be
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