The Dallas Mavericks' Josh Howard and Sacramento Kings' Ron Artest are the same age, 28.

Both have been All-Stars.

Last season, they averaged very similar statistics, Howard with 19.9 points, 7 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game and Artest with 20.5, 5.8 and 3.5. If you total them with steals and blocks per game Howard has 30.3 and Artest 32.8. That's what I like to compare, their total contributions. Artest has an edge. He also has slightly better playoff numbers.

The Mavericks have been in discussion to trade for Artest. The Kings want Howard in return, the Mavs, reportedly, want to send Jerry Stackhouse and Brandon Bass. Artest is a better player than Howard, statistically.

But the stats don't tell the full story for either player.

Just watching the Mavs play, Howard starts each game strong then fades when the team needs him most, the second half. How many Mavs games did you watch last season where the team fell apart in the second half when Howard disappeared?

Artest, on the other hand, brings a mental toughness; an edge and strong defense.

Both players have, what's the nice way to say it, personality issues.

Howard's drug use and defying fired coach Avery Johnson's mandate not to party after a playoff loss have been well documented here.

Artest has had his own troubles. There was brawl when the then Indiana Pacer got a beer thrown at him after a hard foul and yelling match with Detroit Piston Ben Wallace. Artest went after the fan he thought was responsible. He was suspended for most of the season and then demanded a trade.

But his coach then was new Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle. He knows what he would be getting: The 2004 Defensive Player of the Year and good outside shooter.

The other catch, Howard has three years left on his contract, Artest just one (of course the Mavs could renegotiate).

Howard has fizzled when the Mavs need him, Artest isn't a saint, but will bring the intensity the team has been lacking.

I also have a video blog on the trade talk and you can read story here.

2007-08 Statistics:

Howard
PPG 19.9
RPG 7.0
APG 2.2
SPG 0.8
BPG 0.4
FG% 0.455
FT% 0.813
3P% 0.319
MPG 36.3

Artest
PPG 20.5
RPG 5.8
APG 3.5
SPG 2.3
BPG 0.7
FG% 0.453
FT% 0.719
3P% 0.380
MPG 38.1

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