Artest's defensive peak was in the 2003-2004 season. In April 2004, he was elected as the best defensive player in NBA, and was selected as the best defensive player for a period of time, the best lineup of three teams and the All-Star Game. At this time, there are still seven months before the auburn hills Palace incident. It can be said that he fell from peak to bottom in these seven months. This grumpy guy changed his name to "World Charity and Peace" at the age of 33.
The NBA has been practicing the concept of "selling out all tickets on offense and winning the championship on defense". After the Oppenheimer Palace incident, Artest can still get many opportunities by virtue of defense. He has good basic skills, comprehensive scoring ability and excellent defense.
Average 18.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 2.08 steals. This is the report card that Artest handed in that season. Score second, rebound fourth, assist second, steal first. Pacers achieved the best record in team history with a record of 6 1 until the East lost to the more powerful Pistons. That year, Sports Online rated Artest as the best small forward of the season, which is simply a template for offensive and defensive players.
He is the first best defensive player of small forward in NBA history, even Pippen, havlicek and Julius Owen failed to reach it. If this achievement is extended to the perimeter, only Jordan and Payton have won the best defensive player on the perimeter before him, and then Leonard and Brother Alphabet (if he is a small forward).
It can be said that Artest at his peak was an outside defender in NBA history. If you want to evaluate Artest's characteristics in a few words, it is "strong and flexible"