Jeff: Just When I Think I'm Out...

...they pull me right back in! Yeah so just as I'm about as uninterested in the T-Wolves as can be, ESPN.com basketball stat guru John Hollinger threw out this suggestion today: Wally Szerbiak for Ron-Ron Artest. Ladies and gentlemen: commence drooling!!!! Oh my good lord would Ron-Ron not be exactly what this team needs?!? We would rid ourselves of the most overrated athlete in the history of Minnesota sports (although Torri Hunter's a close 2nd), and get a guy who's just dying to win. We would have 2 of the best defensive players in the league, and finally an alpha-dog predator-type to go with KG, the first since Marbury left last century. This trade makes so much sense there's no way it'll happen (ok ok obviously because Kevin McHale is involved, there's no way it's happening, but even if we DID have a competent GM, still no way it happens). Indiana needs an outside shooter, the Wolves need an all-star; BINGO! Both teams get what they want and need. The Pacers are on record today saying they will try to accomodate Artest's trade wish. Two things playing in the Wolves favor here:

1) if they KNOW Indiana wants/has to trade him, you're suddenly looking at giving up less than face value for the guy. Granted, there'll be plenty of suitors for Artest, as crazy as he is, but if the Wolves would offer a guy like Wally (Indiana would have to throw something in to make the salaries work-- yes, One-Dimension-Wally makes significantly more than Artest), but that still may be an offer tempting enough to get it done.

2) the fact Wally is actually looking motivated (this happens every year because, you know, nobody really plays much D in the regular season), AND the fact the Wolves didn't make the playoffs last year which would have reminded everyone how totally useless Wally is when it really matters, puts hope in my heart that this would actually happen.

There's no truth to rumor, but I'll feel free to start it: heck, if somebody knows where McHale's golfing today, and you think there's somebody with him who actually knows how to answer a cell phone, give him a call, just in case. WE WANT RON-RON! WE WANT RON-RON!