We may have started a mild regional anxiety attack last week when we scooped the talking heads by speculating that Phil Jackson and the Lakers were secretly in the running for Ron Artest

Or maybe it's the mild downturn the War-wilts are wallowing through right now.

Whatever the reason, it seems that the information superhighway is alive with chatter about how and why the War-tongs should work a deal to bring Artest to Oakland. (Also here,
here, here, here, and most worrisomely, here.) One online opinion poll found that 91 percent of respondents think the team should acquire Artest.

Everybody needs to just take a time out, unclench a bit, breathe, and slow things down. Yes, the War-riors have lost five of their last seven, including last night's frustrating loss to the Celtics, but this is no reason to panic.

Hey, you know, mama said there'd be stretches like this. It happens to every team. A couple of tough drops to top-shelf teams, a long road trip, a back-to-back, consecutive losses. Next thing you know, you're staring down the barrel of a bonafide slump.

The key is to stop the run, not stoke the fires of apprehension by bandying about the name of the league's current most notorious player.

Have we forgotten the lessons of Chris Webber and Latrell Sprewell? The Detroit Pistons (contemporary, not vintage) and the San Antonio Spurs have proven that good guys can finish first. This team doesn't need Artest's edginess to gain a competitive advantage. What it needs is power in the low post.

Here are five reasons why Artest is not right for this team.

The Truthmaker Contributing