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

[zerocool84]

Artest is a great defender and is a smart basketball player. Ariza made a huge mistake going to the Rockets. He should have gone to the Cavs for at least a shot at getting a title.

 

[andylawcc]

Originally posted by: zerocool84
Artest is a great defender and is a smart basketball player. Ariza made a huge mistake going to the Rockets. He should have gone to the Cavs for at least a shot at getting a title.

either be a small fish in Laker's pond, or big fish in Eastern Conference's pond.

joke aside, Ariza might be a good fit in the aging Boston team.

 

[Baked]

As much as Artest got in Kobe's face during match ups last season, in his mind, Kobe > Lebron + Shaq. LA championship, reloaded!

Edit: Hehe, Artest opening sports center representing Lakers.

 

[zerocool84]

Originally posted by: andylawcc

Originally posted by: zerocool84
Artest is a great defender and is a smart basketball player. Ariza made a huge mistake going to the Rockets. He should have gone to the Cavs for at least a shot at getting a title.

either be a small fish in Laker's pond, or big fish in Eastern Conference's pond.

joke aside, Ariza might be a good fit in the aging Boston team.

Yea but he's not going to Boston so it doesn't matter.

 

[cHeeZeFacTory]

if Lakers meet the Cavs in the NBA finals, ratings will go through the roof.

You got the 2 best players, Kobe - Lebron

The Kobe vs Shaq, and who's getting the 5th ring scenario

and a pyscho in Ron Artest

Let's just skip the regular season and go straight to the 2010 nba playoffs.

'Sheed in Boston, VC in Orlando, Hedo goes to Portland, dam NBA will be fun to watch next season.

 

[cHeeZeFacTory]

Originally posted by: herkulease
I'm not sure if its huge money. Unless the lakers were only gonna give him 5.8 mil per year with no increase(espn suggests that 5.8 would be the starting rate) he's getting less money. And loses out on possibly 2 years of assured salary. He can only be signed for the max of 5 years and only get annual increases of 8%.

The Lakers because of the Larry Bird Exception can sign him up to 7 years with annual increases of up to 10.5%.

At least Ariza can be the man essentially in Houston. No Tmac and No Yao. Maybe the local endorsements he'll get will make up the difference.

Ariza better work really hard this summer if he wants to be the go to guy for Houston. He only has the skills of a great role player.

 

[miniMUNCH]

Originally posted by: NeoV
A few thoughts - Ariza, at this point, is just as good a defender outside of the paint as Artest is, if not better...Artest is not as quick as he was a few years ago, he's added 15-20 pounds - mostly muscle. I'm very surprised they would choose to pick up Ron Ron and let Ariza go.

That said, I'm even more surprised Ariza would sign with the Rockets - I'm hearing that Cleveland was offering him very similar money, and if he wants to go far in the playoffs again, he didn't choose too wisely.

Shannon Brown? Are you kidding me? He's a below average NBA player, period - he's no point guard either.

Interesting to see what the Cavs do with their mid-level exception money now - McDyess? Anthony Parker? Both?

Well Artest still played the best D on kobe of anyone in the playoffs... LBJ also has said that Artest gives him the most trouble... he quick enough and savy enough to play solid D. Artest can and did literally guard every position from the 1 to the 4 last year... Ariza for instance could not guard Artest in the post nor could Ariza guard a really quick 2 guard. Artest has and still can, i think.

Here's the reason why Ariza or Wallace or any other free agent are not going to end up in CLE... LBJ most likely won't be there next year and neither will Shaq (ring or not they likely going to big venues next year). Who wants to sign a multi year deal only to have the team evaporate next summer if LBJ heads for Chi or NY? If LBJ signed an extension with the Cav's then FA's would want to take a MLE there.

As far as Brown... has only received limited PT in his 3-4 years in the league so he's below average now but he could be more. He has major tools... he's quick and strong and has major ups. He was very productive with his minutes as a rookie in CLE but really hasn't got much opportunity since then. He can be a solid defender and an excellent role player in the triangle... the triangle doesn't need a PG. So really the Lakers just need a GRD who can share "bringing the ball up duties" and then work within the offense.

 

[SP33Demon]

Wow, LA has to be a favorite now with Artest. Guy can guard almost anyone in the NBA with his athleticism and he's a better post player than Ariza.

 

[amol]

Originally posted by: fustercluck
People just give away their best players to LA. They got Gasol for free pretty much and have been to back to back finals since. Now they get Artest. Wish Cleveland would of got Artest (or Ariza) then it would of made things more interesting. Now it's like a 70% chance LA repeats. I hate LA...besides Gasol, he's a cool guy.

Uhh, Ron Artest was a free agent. Nobody "gave him away" to the Lakers. He decided against signing a Houston extension because of Yao's injury.

 

[SP33Demon]

Originally posted by: Amol

Originally posted by: fustercluck
People just give away their best players to LA. They got Gasol for free pretty much and have been to back to back finals since. Now they get Artest. Wish Cleveland would of got Artest (or Ariza) then it would of made things more interesting. Now it's like a 70% chance LA repeats. I hate LA...besides Gasol, he's a cool guy.

Uhh, Ron Artest was a free agent. Nobody "gave him away" to the Lakers. He decided against signing a Houston extension because of Yao's injury.

Yep, he said he wasn't in it for the money but for the ring, and Houston dissed him by only offering him a 1 year deal. 6 million is really freaking cheap for a talent like Artest!

 

[BRObedoza]

Ron Artest will be fine as long as the Lakers are winning

 

[ballmode]

surprised the celtics didn't try to go after him

 

[BlahBlahYouToo]

can't say i blame ariza.
if not for the money, he did it becuz it was a slap in the face by signing sasha.

 

[OCGuy]

At first I was worried because of the Kobe/Artest dynamic. There is potential for drama at least one time next season.

But if we can get through it, that is one amazing lineup.


Lets get Kobe #5!

 

[amol]

Phil Jackson will also return next year. http://www.nba.com/lakers/news/090703philjackson.html

Now let's work on Odom and Brown.

 

[Miramonti]

Originally posted by: OCguy
At first I was worried because of the Kobe/Artest dynamic. There is potential for drama at least one time next season.

But if we can get through it, that is one amazing lineup.


Lets get Kobe #5!

I'd love to be a fly on the wall at some of their practices.

I think there is way to much respect for them to channel negativity to each other (outside any intense practices lined up against one another...both are very competitive and practice hard.)

Artest has become a respected teammate, unlike his first few years with chicago, and I think they will have a strong 'on a mission' mentality together.

 

[KevinH]

Ron Artest interviewing Kobe. Believe me, Artest looks up to Kobe almost like a little brother seeking approval.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s24kx5ynRVQ



On a tangent, here's a funny story about Artest.

http://stevemasonsmog.typepad...._irelands_plog_710_es/

"Kobe said that after the Lakers lost game six of the '08 NBA Finals in Boston by 39 points, he was alone in the shower, just fuming. He heard somebody walk in and assumed it was one of his teammates, or maybe a staff member. Instead, he looked up, and it was Ron Artest (to this day, Kobe has no idea how Artest got into the locker room).

"I want to come help you," Artest said. "If I can, I'm going to find a way to come to LA and give you the help you need to win a title.""

How is that for creepy? Lol.

 

[KevinH]

Originally posted by: NeoV
A few thoughts - Ariza, at this point, is just as good a defender outside of the paint as Artest is, if not better...Artest is not as quick as he was a few years ago, he's added 15-20 pounds - mostly muscle. I'm very surprised they would choose to pick up Ron Ron and let Ariza go.

That said, I'm even more surprised Ariza would sign with the Rockets - I'm hearing that Cleveland was offering him very similar money, and if he wants to go far in the playoffs again, he didn't choose too wisely.

Shannon Brown? Are you kidding me? He's a below average NBA player, period - he's no point guard either.

Interesting to see what the Cavs do with their mid-level exception money now - McDyess? Anthony Parker? Both?

Ariza's defense is vastly overrated. Off the ball he's killer but he's very average on the ball.

 

[amol]

Originally posted by: SP33Demon

Originally posted by: Amol

Originally posted by: fustercluck
People just give away their best players to LA. They got Gasol for free pretty much and have been to back to back finals since. Now they get Artest. Wish Cleveland would of got Artest (or Ariza) then it would of made things more interesting. Now it's like a 70% chance LA repeats. I hate LA...besides Gasol, he's a cool guy.

Uhh, Ron Artest was a free agent. Nobody "gave him away" to the Lakers. He decided against signing a Houston extension because of Yao's injury.

Yep, he said he wasn't in it for the money but for the ring, and Houston dissed him by only offering him a 1 year deal. 6 million is really freaking cheap for a talent like Artest!

Yah, exactly. And if someone wants to take about LA getting players easily, what about Cleveland? They got Shaq for Ben Wallace (on the verge of retirement) and Sasha Pavolic!

 

[Miramonti]

Originally posted by: KevinH
Ron Artest interviewing Kobe. Believe me, Artest looks up to Kobe almost like a little brother seeking approval.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s24kx5ynRVQ



On a tangent, here's a funny story about Artest.

http://stevemasonsmog.typepad...._irelands_plog_710_es/

"Kobe said that after the Lakers lost game six of the '08 NBA Finals in Boston by 39 points, he was alone in the shower, just fuming. He heard somebody walk in and assumed it was one of his teammates, or maybe a staff member. Instead, he looked up, and it was Ron Artest (to this day, Kobe has no idea how Artest got into the locker room).

"I want to come help you," Artest said. "If I can, I'm going to find a way to come to LA and give you the help you need to win a title.""

How is that for creepy? Lol.

Classic. "Its been great, this [interview] is the highlight of my life. You're one of my idols..."

That's respect, lol.

 

[zerocool84]

Originally posted by: KevinH
Ron Artest interviewing Kobe. Believe me, Artest looks up to Kobe almost like a little brother seeking approval.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s24kx5ynRVQ



On a tangent, here's a funny story about Artest.

http://stevemasonsmog.typepad...._irelands_plog_710_es/

"Kobe said that after the Lakers lost game six of the '08 NBA Finals in Boston by 39 points, he was alone in the shower, just fuming. He heard somebody walk in and assumed it was one of his teammates, or maybe a staff member. Instead, he looked up, and it was Ron Artest (to this day, Kobe has no idea how Artest got into the locker room).

"I want to come help you," Artest said. "If I can, I'm going to find a way to come to LA and give you the help you need to win a title.""

How is that for creepy? Lol.

People other than the average joe knows that Artest and Kobe get along. Artest is an aggressive/strong player and will not back down from a challenge.

Ariza's agent was stupid. Getting not that much more money and going to a team that probably won't even get to the playoffs. Ariza wasn't even that good in the regular season. He only played well in the post-season. Who knows if he'll even play that well again. Artest is a great addition.

 

[Miramonti]

Hedu pulls out of Portland deal

Sounded like it was a done deal.

 

[jman19]

Originally posted by: zerocool84

Originally posted by: KevinH
Ron Artest interviewing Kobe. Believe me, Artest looks up to Kobe almost like a little brother seeking approval.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s24kx5ynRVQ



On a tangent, here's a funny story about Artest.

http://stevemasonsmog.typepad...._irelands_plog_710_es/

"Kobe said that after the Lakers lost game six of the '08 NBA Finals in Boston by 39 points, he was alone in the shower, just fuming. He heard somebody walk in and assumed it was one of his teammates, or maybe a staff member. Instead, he looked up, and it was Ron Artest (to this day, Kobe has no idea how Artest got into the locker room).

"I want to come help you," Artest said. "If I can, I'm going to find a way to come to LA and give you the help you need to win a title.""

How is that for creepy? Lol.

People other than the average joe knows that Artest and Kobe get along. Artest is an aggressive/strong player and will not back down from a challenge.

Ariza's agent was stupid. Getting not that much more money and going to a team that probably won't even get to the playoffs. Ariza wasn't even that good in the regular season. He only played well in the post-season. Who knows if he'll even play that well again. Artest is a great addition.

Ariza's agent is stupid for getting more money for a guy who isn't even that good in the regular season? Huh?

 

[OCGuy]

Originally posted by: jman19
Ariza's agent is stupid for getting more money for a guy who isn't even that good in the regular season? Huh?

Yea when you are getting a 10% cut, I think the objective is to get more. Call me old fashioned though.

 

[jman19]

Originally posted by: OCguy

Originally posted by: jman19
Ariza's agent is stupid for getting more money for a guy who isn't even that good in the regular season? Huh?

Yea when you are getting a 10% cut, I think the objective is to get more. Call me old fashioned though.

I don't know anything about a cut, but I do know that zerocool said "getting not that much more money." In that case your beef is with zerocool not me