Ron Artest joins Lakers | Trevor Ariza verbally agrees with Rockets | PHIL JACKSON WILL RETURN

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amol

Lifer
Jul 8, 2001
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http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4303679

In a text message to ESPN.com on Thursday night, Artest wrote: "I am happy to say I am goin' to L.A."
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Brings back memories of this -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AiH8UTMLfOs

On another note, Ariza's probably not coming back to the Lakers. Artest reportedly signing for a 3-year, $18 million contract. That was the price they were offering Ariza.



Edit: Looks like H-Town is gonna give Ariza a big payday -- http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4303862

Edit 2: Lakers say PJ will return next season: http://www.nba.com/lakers/news/090703philjackson.html
 
joesmoke

joesmoke

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Nov 2, 2007
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sounds pretty solid to me... since ariza wants to pretend to be a "big boy" so he can make "big boy" money, artest makes sense and would give them more performance for the money.
 
A

amol

Lifer
Jul 8, 2001
11,679
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As a huge a Laker fan (and one who followed the team to an incredible level this year), I'm really going to miss Ariza. He was instrumental in the Denver series as well in important quarters in the Finals. His energy and defensive athleticism were amazing and he REALLY stepped up his offensive game.

That being said, I don't think he deserves the money he wanted from the Lakers. Obviously, the Lakers made a bad move by signing Vujacic to a big contract, so Ariza must have thought he deserved that.

I'm not a big fan of Artest right now, mostly because of his feud with Kobe. But I'm looking forward to his defensive mentality.
 
S

Syringer

Lifer
Aug 2, 2001
19,333
2
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Gasol, Odom, and Artest? Jeez, it's a bit of shifting around but basically replacing the inconsistent Bynum with one of the best defenders in the league, makes that the best front court in the league. Obviously you have Kobe, and once you can get consistency from the PG position, there's no lineup in the NBA that comes close to that of the Lakers.
 
Mo0o

Mo0o

Lifer
Jul 31, 2001
24,227
3
76
Originally posted by: Amol
As a huge a Laker fan (and one who followed the team to an incredible level this year), I'm really going to miss Ariza. He was instrumental in the Denver series as well in important quarters in the Finals. His energy and defensive athleticism were amazing and he REALLY stepped up his offensive game.

That being said, I don't think he deserves the money he wanted from the Lakers. Obviously, the Lakers made a bad move by signing Vujacic to a big contract, so Ariza must have thought he deserved that.

I'm not a big fan of Artest right now, mostly because of his feud with Kobe. But I'm looking forward to his defensive mentality.
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Lol what feud. It's jsut two guys playing basketball at a high level.
 
A

amol

Lifer
Jul 8, 2001
11,679
1
0
Originally posted by: Mo0o
Originally posted by: Amol
As a huge a Laker fan (and one who followed the team to an incredible level this year), I'm really going to miss Ariza. He was instrumental in the Denver series as well in important quarters in the Finals. His energy and defensive athleticism were amazing and he REALLY stepped up his offensive game.

That being said, I don't think he deserves the money he wanted from the Lakers. Obviously, the Lakers made a bad move by signing Vujacic to a big contract, so Ariza must have thought he deserved that.

I'm not a big fan of Artest right now, mostly because of his feud with Kobe. But I'm looking forward to his defensive mentality.
Click to expand...

Lol what feud. It's jsut two guys playing basketball at a high level.
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Haha, it felt like a war. Artest is passionate though, he definitely wants a championship.
 
Mo0o

Mo0o

Lifer
Jul 31, 2001
24,227
3
76
What are they going to do about bynum. he's a huge bitch and is an orthopedic surgeon's wet dream. should trade his ass to the ailing rockets for aaron brooks
 
A

amol

Lifer
Jul 8, 2001
11,679
1
0
Originally posted by: Syringer
Gasol, Odom, and Artest? Jeez, it's a bit of shifting around but basically replacing the inconsistent Bynum with one of the best defenders in the league, makes that the best front court in the league. Obviously you have Kobe, and once you can get consistency from the PG position, there's no lineup in the NBA that comes close to that of the Lakers.
Click to expand...

You have to imagine that Odom is once again going to lead the bench mob (hope he gets Sixth Man of the Year Award next year), so starting with Bynum (they need to develop his game), Gasol, Artest, Kobe, and Fisher.

The only thing that worries me about that lineup is Fisher, we really need to get Farmar and Brown (if they keep him) going. I don't think a 3-PG lineup will get good rotations for either, but I want to KEEP Shannon Brown (at the championship parade, he got the loudest cheers for anyone not named Kobe), so maybe deal Jordan Farmar since his contract expires in 2010.
 
Miramonti

Miramonti

Lifer
Aug 26, 2000
28,651
100
91
This means they have someone to guard James and Pierce without expending Kobe's energy on them. I can't see anyone getting by the lakers at this point.
 
James3shin

James3shin

Diamond Member
Apr 5, 2004
4,426
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Oh man! I was grimacing at the possibility of losing Trevor Ariza but now I'm glad to welcome Ron Artest.:)
 
A

amol

Lifer
Jul 8, 2001
11,679
1
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Originally posted by: jjsole
This means they have someone to guard James and Pierce without expending Kobe's energy on them. I can't see anyone getting by the lakers at this point.
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That's true! Artest is a lockdown defender ... Ariza was more of a thief but wouldn't have defended the LeBrons or Paulie Wheelchairs man-to-man very well.
 
Miramonti

Miramonti

Lifer
Aug 26, 2000
28,651
100
91
Teammates say Artest is very smart, so under jackson's system, these could be his best years.
 
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herkulease

Diamond Member
Jul 6, 2001
3,923
0
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Sasha signed only a 3 year 15 mil deal. This year might just a slump. But if he goes back to in your face defense which isn't much but just annoys the other guy they'll like it more. The one thing Sasha has going for him is at least he puts up something. Adam Morrison is getting paid more than him to warm the bench.

 
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amol

Lifer
Jul 8, 2001
11,679
1
0
Originally posted by: herkulease
Sasha signed only a 3 year 15 mil deal. This year might just a slump. But if he goes back to in your face defense which isn't much but just annoys the other guy they'll like it more. The one thing Sasha has going for him is at least he puts up something. Adam Morrison is getting paid more than him to warm the bench.
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What I love about Adam Morrison is that when the Lakers traded Space Cadet to Charlotte, all the focus was on Morrison. Then BOOM, Shannon Brown becomes the talk of the town.
 
A

amol

Lifer
Jul 8, 2001
11,679
1
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Originally posted by: Corporate Thug
this is all assuming that Artest doesn't go off the deep end like he has done in the past.
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Two words -- Phil Jackson. Two more words -- Dennis Rodman. I think Jackson staying as coach will definitely help this situation.
 
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Corporate Thug

Lifer
Apr 17, 2003
37,622
0
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Originally posted by: Amol
Originally posted by: Corporate Thug
this is all assuming that Artest doesn't go off the deep end like he has done in the past.
Click to expand...

Two words -- Phil Jackson. Two more words -- Dennis Rodman. I think Jackson staying as coach will definitely help this situation.
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I remember Kobe Bryant having some trouble w/ Jackson in the past? And has Jackson even committed to coming back next year?
 
Squisher

Squisher

Lifer
Aug 17, 2000
21,204
66
91
Detroit would have been the prefect fit for Artest especially considering how much money they had to spend and their needs, but there was this one little problem...
 
M

miniMUNCH

Diamond Member
Nov 16, 2000
4,159
0
0
Originally posted by: Amol
As a huge a Laker fan (and one who followed the team to an incredible level this year), I'm really going to miss Ariza. He was instrumental in the Denver series as well in important quarters in the Finals. His energy and defensive athleticism were amazing and he REALLY stepped up his offensive game.

That being said, I don't think he deserves the money he wanted from the Lakers. Obviously, the Lakers made a bad move by signing Vujacic to a big contract, so Ariza must have thought he deserved that.

I'm not a big fan of Artest right now, mostly because of his feud with Kobe. But I'm looking forward to his defensive mentality.
Click to expand...

Kobe and Artest are actually rather friendly off the court... have been for years for what i hear.

Oh and hey... I totally called this in the thread about Ariza.
 
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