Rule Of Three/Is Artest The Missing Piece In Houston? And Entire NBA Breakdown!

       We have all heard about Ron Artest and the the red flags, baggage, and character issues that come along with him, despite all of that, without question the Houston Rockets made a great move in acquiring the 2004 NBA Defensive MVP and All Star. Critics of the move will say that its a big risk and experiment on Houston's part, while that stance is true and understandable you have to look at why the Rockets did it. There is something in the NBA that I like to call: "The Rule of Three," this "rule" suggest that in order to be a successful NBA franchise that is capable of winning championships you need to have at least three All-Star quality/ superstar presences in your starting lineup.  By adding Artest the Rockets now have their "Big Three," with Artest, Tracy McGrady, and Yao Ming.  If you look at the best teams in the NBA right now that consistently challenge for a championship every year they all haveat least three big name players on their rosters:

Current Big Three's:

Boston Celtics - Coined the Boston "Three" Party by Scott Van Pelt on the famed ESPN commercial, this is probably the "Biggest" three in the NBA today it consist of All-Stars: Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen.  These Three beat the Los Angeles Lakers Three in the 2008 NBA finals.

Los Angeles Lakers - Probably the team with the best individual Player in all of the NBA's "Big Threes" in Kobe Bryant, as well as one of the more underrated players of all of the NBA's "Big Threes" in Lamar Odom.  It wasn't until Bryant and Odom where teamed with Pau Gasol that LA's "Big Three" was formed.  The addition of Gasol helped prove "The Rule of Three" theory, as he was all that the Lakers needed to get to the NBA Finals. 

San Antonio Spurs - The '03, '05, and '07 champs have one of the most consistent and entertaining "Threes" in the league with a dominant big man in Tim Duncan, and two electrifying guards in Manu Ginobili, and Tony Parker (hottest wife of any NBA trios in Eva Longoria).

Detroit Pistons - How about the "Big Four" here, this team has been stacked for years with All-Star caliber players.  Chauncey Billups is one of the best point guards in the NBA.  Outside of Kobe, Richard Hamilton has one of the sweetest shots in the game.  Tayshaun Prince is a hard nosed-do it all type of Olympian, and Rasheed Wallace has a fiery (sometimes too much so) passion for the game.  Back when they had Ben Wallace they were the more like the "Big Five," I don't know why Joe Dumars wants to break up this team, sure they've only won one championship, but groups like this don't come around that often.

Trios on the Rise:

New Orleans Hornets - Chris Paul and David West might be the best pairing of young players in the NBA today.  Along with Tyson Chandler and his continued development the Hornets could be good for years to come.  Chandler is as important to this Hornet team as Ben Wallace was to the Pistons at one time, and Chandler is a better scorer than Wallace ever was.  When you put the smooth shooting of Peja Stojakovic, well you have the makings of what could become the West's version of the Detroit Pistons.

Houston Rockets - If Artest can mesh with Yao and McGrady, it could be one of the biggest trios in the league.

Teams that need one more Piece:

Utah Jazz - Carlos Boozer and Deron Williams are Utah's new version of Stockton and Malone.  Andre Kirilenko is not what he once was and Utah needs one more piece for its puzzle.  Williams and Boozer led them to the Conference Championships in '07, maybe one more presence could get them back to the Finals.

Orlando Magic - High Flying "Superman" Dwight Howard has become the premier big man in the NBA.  Last year he was helped by 19.5 points per game man Rashard Lewis.  While Hedo Turkoglu may develop into that third guy Orlando needs (he averaged 17.5 points a game last season) they could still use one more guy.  That being said they already have a good young floor general in Jameer Nelson.

Philadelphia 76ers - They did wonders for their team by adding Elton Brand in the off-season, and a pairing of him with Andre Iguodala has got to be exciting for Philly fans.  That being said while Brand will do well in a weaker Eastern Conference, to get by the Bostons and Detroits of the league Philly is still one man away.  This could be remedied with the development of Thaddeus Young.  Andre Miller is still there, but you would like to get some better range (he's not a good three point shooter) from the point.

Toronto Raptors - By adding Jermaine O'Neal and pairing him with Chris Bosh the Raptors now boast one of, if not the most dominating scoring front courts in the NBA. Still they are a player away, and Jose Calderon could develop into that player, but we'll have to wait and see.

Milwaukee Bucks - They added Richard Jefferson to team with Michael Redd, but is Mo Williams and his 17.2 points per game enough to be considered the "third" man on this team?  Maybe big man scorer, Joe Alexander can develop, regardless Redd and the Bucks will make the playoffs this year(but not go anywhere).

Los Angeles Clippers - They've got Baron Davis in the back-court and Chris Kaman up front, Marcus Camby will hit the glass form them, now all they need is a scoring forward, and Al Thornton could continue to develop this year.  If Eric Gordon develops the Clippers could have one of the best back- court scoring tandems in the league in the future.

Threes going Nowhere:

Washington Wizards - Gilbert Arenas is one of the best players in the NBA but the trio in Washington consisting of him, Antawn Jamison, and Caron Butler has gone nowhere for years now and will continue to get bumped in the first round. But take heart Wizard fans... at least they're better than they used to be.

Denver Nuggets - Carmelo Anthony, Allen Iverson, what a team right?  Well not exactly since being paired up the two of them haven't gone anywhere.  Alongside with talented big man Kenyon Martin (who has been a disappointment since joining the Nuggets) this is one of the more disappointing teams in Basketball.  There was consideration to put this team in the one more piece section... but they have too many pieces to complain.

Golden State Warriors - Cory Maggette, Monta Ellis, Stephen Jackson, and Al Harrington are impressive... but not strong enough for the West.  

Young Threes/Teams on the Rise:(likely more than three players named for these teams... still developing)

Chicago Bulls - The Baby Bulls haven't grown up much over the past few seasons but they're stacked with young talent; Chris Rose (this years #1 pick), Luol Deng (averaged 17 points a game last season), Ben Gordon (primer shooter),Tyrus Thomas (once he gets his head on straight, he'll be unstoppable),and Kirk Hinrich (could start for a lot of teams, likely a backup in chicago) just to name a few.

Atlanta Hawks - They Surprised everybody by taking the Celtics to a seven game series, and have a lot of youth primed to break out; Josh Smith (currently a coveted RFA), Joe Johnson (one of the more underrated players in the League), Al Horford (dominant young big man), Marvin Williams (athletic freak).   These young players enjoy the tutelage of veteran guard Mike Bibby.

Minnesota Timberwolves - By trading for Kevin Love and placing him next to Al Jefferson the T-Wolves front court will be feared for years to come.  They are accompanied by a slew of young developing talent like Ryan Gomes, Sebastian Telfair, Randy Foye, Rashad McCants, Corey Brewer, and Rodney Carney.

Memphis Grizzlies - They traded for O.J. Mayo (#3 pick in draft) he'll be teamed with young talented forwards Rudy Gay and Hakim Warrick, Memphis also has one of the best developing point guards in the NBA, Mike Conley.

New Jersey Nets - Devin Harris is the leader of this team for years to come (don't think they even miss Jason Kidd) and man does he have some nice young talent to distribute the ball to; Yi Jianlian, and Brook Lopez (potential steal of the draft).  Lets also give props to their veteran leadership in Vince Carter.

Portland Trailblazers - This might be the best young team in all of the NBA, they held their own in a talented Western Conference last season, and if they stick together they could be something special for years to come.  They are led by their own youthful "Big Two", in Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge.  Those Two will be joined this year by former number one pick Greg Oden (7 foot Athlete!), and Jerryd Bayless (the best scoring point guard in this past years draft.)  If they stick together, this team could be scary!

Miami Heat - Dewayne Wade is a veteran, but Michael Beasley is not (2nd pick in draft), these two will lead the heat for years to come and it will be interesting to see how young guard Daequan Cook develops in the coming years.

Oklahoma City ? - They've got Kevin Durant (last seasons rookie of the year), Jeff Green, and they just drafted Russell Westbrook.  Who cares what their name ends up being, it won't be long before their good.    

Threes/Teams on the Decline:

Phoenix Suns - The Suns should have kept Shawn Marion, now they look old with Shaquille O'Neal, and Grant Hill.  The trio of Steve Nash, Shaq, and Amare Stoudamire will be enough to get the Suns to the Playoffs maybe even the second round...but thats it.

Dallas Mavericks - Why did Mark Cuban want Jason Kidd so bad?   Devin Harris is going to be a star, and the Mavericks are going to be old (think Stackhouse, Dampier, Kidd ugh).  Dirk Nowitzki is going to continue to be one of the best players in the NBA, but the "Big Three" of Nowitzki, Kidd, and Josh Howard or Jason Terry (take your pick), is nowhere near the former "Big Three" of Dirk, Nash, and Michael Finley.  Way to go Mark!

Teams With only One Superstar/All-Star:

Charlotte Bobcats -  aka Jason Richardson.  Raymond Felton is a nice player but why did they draft D.J. Augustin.  Adam Morrison was hurt last year and missed a year of development. Emeka Okafor is a nice solid player, but thats it... this team is still years away.

Sacramento Kings - aka Kevin Martin, and he really doesn't even count, this team is rebuilding and going nowhere for a long time.  Donte Green is a nice prospect.

Teams with no clear cut Star:

Indiana Pacers - Who is the face of this team is it Danny Granger, Troy Murphy, Mike Dunleavy, or maybe T.J. Ford?  This team doesn't have a face now that O'Neal is gone but they will find away to be consistently not bad and challenge for a final playoff spot and miss it by a couple games.

Team That Disproves the "Rule of Three":

Cleveland Cavaliers - They have one player aka Lebron James, and could have been put in the one Superstar section, but this team is too good to do that to, because Lebron James getting the Cavs to the NBA Finals in '07 completely disproves the whole premiss of this article that you need "Three" All-Star caliber players to challenge for an NBA Title, and that is why Lebron James deserved the NBA MVP last season, and why he may not be the single most talented player in the game, he irrefutably means more to his franchise than any other player!         

The "Rule of Three" in the Past:

- (Lakers) Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O'Neal, Robert Horry, Derek Fisher

- (Spurs) David Robinson, Tim Duncan, Avery Johnson

- (Bulls) Michael Jordan, Scotty Pippen, Dennis Rodman

- (Rockets) Hakeem Olajuwon, Clyde Drexler, Robert Horry, SamCassell

- (Pistons) Isiah Thomas, Joe Dumars, Bill Lambeer 

- (Lakers) Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, James Worthy, Byron Scott

- (Celtics) Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, Robert Parish, Danny Ainge

- (Knicks) Willis Reed, Walt Frazier, Earl Monroe  

- (Celtics) Bill Russell, Bob Cousy, John Havlicek