A day after unveiling Houston as a candidate in our 16 team Loser-ville field, the Rockets strike a deal to bring Ron Artest to Texas. Apparently word spreads fast!

SCOTT JACOBS

It only seemed like a matter of time before volatile forward Ron Artest got his wish, and was dealt. But of all the teams previously mentioned (Lakers, Heat, Nuggets), not once do I remember the Rockets coming up. Yet, the Artest Sweepstakes appear to be over, and lo and behold, it’s Houston (christened as the number three seed in our tournament of losers) that has won his services.

Rumors had run rampant about a Lamar Odom-Ron Artest straight up swap for months, but what Houston had to give up for the sport’s greatest enigma, well, it’s kind of dumb-founding. A first round pick, Bobby Jackson, the rights to rookie Donte Greene, and cash? That’s what it took to land one of the most talented, coveted nut-jobs in the NBA? A reserve, a decent rookie, and a 2009 first round pick that won’t be worth anything once the Rockets inevitably make the playoffs again.

Artest averaged 20.5 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.3 steals per game in 57 games last year for the 38-44 Kings, who have officially transitioned from “well we’re trying, but we’re realists” to “we can’t compete in the west with this lineup, let’s just start over.”

And start over they have done.

In three years with the Kings, Artest’s scoring average rose every year. The Rockets hope that he’ll put his past behind him, and they’re willing to take a chance to pair him up with Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming. That will be once heck of a trifecta playing at the Toyota Center 41 times a year.

Of course, the question with Artest is if he actually does make his teams BETTER. The Kings never made it past the first round with him, and his time in Indiana with some fantastic Pacers teams, never ended in an Eastern Conference title, never mind a championship.

Artest is a fiery competitor with long arms and is a top notch defender. He isn’t a ball hog and he’s a solid passer. But as always it comes down to attitude. His attitude has always been his defining question mark.

Suspended for 73 games during the 2004-05 season because he went into the stands in an unforgettable brawl at the Palace of Auburn Hills, Artest was then further scrutinized when he asked for time off so he could promote his album.

Team-mates have said in the past they never fully understood Artest, and he always came across as weird.

Now, Houston will bank on that same man to help them get out of the first round.

McGrady, who was dealt to the Rockets before Artest’s fateful 2004-05 season, has failed to create the dynamic pairing with Yao Ming that Rockets fans hoped would net them a championship. Now that Artest is in the fold, McGrady will have his best team yet. Of course staying healthy is another question mark, as T-Mac and Yao have been bitten by the injury bug in years past, but if the two can stay healthy, and Artest can stay out of trouble the Rockets could be really, really good.

It’s not quite Boston’s Big Three, but Houston’s new trifecta is loaded with talent, and now expectations.

The only question now is: Are they ready for lift-off?

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