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Torn Rose · 2006-05-08, 10:16 PM

Does anyone remember any single athlete that can be “held responsible” for destroying a franchise? This is for any sport. I just have been thinking about this for a while and of course I am referring to Ron Artest and how his actions have destroyed the Pacers.

He was a “throw in” with Brad Miller (Who was the one the Pacers wanted) from Chicago and became a All Star and Defensive Player of the Year even while missing 22 games I think due to suspensions and then of course the brawl in Detroit which cost him a year and then after standing by him all that time and having huge expectations he cries to the paper about wanting to be traded and is finally traded to Sacramento for Peja.

But when you look deeper he is “responsible” for much more.

Al Harrington was a bench player who was only on the bench due to Ron being a starter, was/is a future All Star for sure, so the Pacers give Al the chance to become one and trade him to Atlanta where he is expected to be the top FA this summer with rumors of the Bulls and Lakers trying to free up big time $ to get him.

Peja who was traded for Ron, is bothered that he was traded from the Kings and even though he is making $8 million a year already wants to exercise a clause in his contract and is now a FA with one more year left on his contract.

Now look how close the Pacers came from the Finals in 2004 and they was the #1 pick in 2005 until the brawl. In 2006 they once more were the odds on favorite with the Pistons and what happens? Ron once more talks and completely demoralizes the team who then finish 41-41 and lose 4-2 in the first round and from reports, no one wants to play with anyone else.

Now O’Neal is saying its time for him to go as well, he is still a big supporter of Isaiah Thomas who was the Pacers coach and is now the GM for the Knicks (great player, no clue on management or how to coach) so there is talks of O’Neal going to NY or Minnesota or even back to Portland, which is fine by me since he gets hurt putting his shoes on and miss’s weeks at a time too much.

So can anyone think, in any sport, where one person can be “blamed” for such a down fall in such a short time for a franchise?

2006-05-08, 10:16 PM	#343
Torn Rose "Faith is believing what you know ain't so." ~ Mark Twain Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 4,806	Just been wondering Does anyone remember any single athlete that can be “held responsible” for destroying a franchise? This is for any sport. I just have been thinking about this for a while and of course I am referring to Ron Artest and how his actions have destroyed the Pacers. He was a “throw in” with Brad Miller (Who was the one the Pacers wanted) from Chicago and became a All Star and Defensive Player of the Year even while missing 22 games I think due to suspensions and then of course the brawl in Detroit which cost him a year and then after standing by him all that time and having huge expectations he cries to the paper about wanting to be traded and is finally traded to Sacramento for Peja. But when you look deeper he is “responsible” for much more. Al Harrington was a bench player who was only on the bench due to Ron being a starter, was/is a future All Star for sure, so the Pacers give Al the chance to become one and trade him to Atlanta where he is expected to be the top FA this summer with rumors of the Bulls and Lakers trying to free up big time $ to get him. Peja who was traded for Ron, is bothered that he was traded from the Kings and even though he is making $8 million a year already wants to exercise a clause in his contract and is now a FA with one more year left on his contract. Now look how close the Pacers came from the Finals in 2004 and they was the #1 pick in 2005 until the brawl. In 2006 they once more were the odds on favorite with the Pistons and what happens? Ron once more talks and completely demoralizes the team who then finish 41-41 and lose 4-2 in the first round and from reports, no one wants to play with anyone else. Now O’Neal is saying its time for him to go as well, he is still a big supporter of Isaiah Thomas who was the Pacers coach and is now the GM for the Knicks (great player, no clue on management or how to coach) so there is talks of O’Neal going to NY or Minnesota or even back to Portland, which is fine by me since he gets hurt putting his shoes on and miss’s weeks at a time too much. So can anyone think, in any sport, where one person can be “blamed” for such a down fall in such a short time for a franchise?