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Artest Cometh

(AP Photo/Matt Sayles)

More photos » by Matt Sayles - AP

(AP Photo/Matt Sayles)

*LOUD RECORD SCREECH SOUND*

The Laker offseason suddenly became a hell of a lot less boring.

As wondahbop first noted below, ESPN is reporting that the Lakers have reached agreement with former nemesis Ron Artest on a three-year contract worth $18 million. What this means for the Trevor Ariza negotiations is yet to be known, but understandable speculation about his imminent departure is widespread.

Further analysis, rumination and nail-biting to come here at SS&R. In the meantime, consider this your open thread for all things Artest.

NON-SHOCKING UPDATE: Citing "sources close to the process," ESPN reports that Trevor is Houston-bound.

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Artest says it’s a 5-year, $32 million deal. Presumably this means Trevor Ariza is gone, as he’s getting interest from the Cavs and Rockets, among other teams. Now do the Lakers still go after Lamar Odom, let him sign elsewhere?

I hope this isn’t true.

http://dimemag.com/2009/07/ron-artest-says-hes-a-laker/#comments

by intuitive on Jul 2, 2009 5:44 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

I really hope we’re not giving him 5 years. That’s a long time

by intuitive on Jul 2, 2009 5:51 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

570 AM reported it’s a 3 year deal worth 18 million.

by chaucer on Jul 2, 2009 6:08 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

well, artest is a better player than trevor. this doesn’t mean i wanted artest over trevor. it is what it is. welcome ron artest. good-bye trevor ariza. i think now we get a player who hopefully brings a dimension that has been inconsistent—tenacity!!!!!!! ggrrr!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by chaucer on Jul 2, 2009 6:09 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

as long as

it’s the 3 years 18 million dollar deal, i think this is an awesome addition. for only about an extra million (hopefully) we picked up a player who’s way more accomplished than ariza. i think artest will do well in LA based on phil’s experience with rodman and kobe’s new found leadership. i think this makes us scary!

Chili Davis - the closest thing the MLB got to a real life Pedro Cerrano.

by NW angels Fan on Jul 2, 2009 5:57 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

hell yeah, plus he’s a better 3 pt shooter than ariza.

by chaucer on Jul 2, 2009 6:09 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

ariza shouldve taken the lakers

offer. end of story.

to be a laker is a honor, he wouldnt even a wanted free agent if he didnt get to play with kobe and pau.

2 of the best scoring and passing playeers in the league.

all of his offense comes from kobe and pau double teams.

He cant gaurd small forwards in the low post and he cant score in the low post.

I love Ariza he’s ours forever but if he’s insulted by 5.8 million dollars a year… then bye bye

by dodgers2009 on Jul 2, 2009 5:57 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

he realizes he fucked up. did u read his quote? i think he regrets it. no way in hell we bring him back now. he is going to cleveland and we will face them next june.

by chaucer on Jul 2, 2009 6:10 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I didn’t see his quote. Link?

I think the only thing he effed up in was not telling his agent to quit playing those hardball games.

by hertagnism on Jul 2, 2009 6:13 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

“I understand that they did sign Ron Artest,” Ariza said. “They did what they had to do. I understand it’s a business.”

by chaucer on Jul 2, 2009 6:16 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

yeah i am a little sad too, to be honest. i liked trevor a whole lot.

by chaucer on Jul 2, 2009 6:30 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

that energy and hustle is what LA fans love. that’s why we love derek so much.

by chaucer on Jul 2, 2009 6:30 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Ariza or Artest?

Damn Ariza could have been good in the triangle for quite a while. Stinks that it had to come down to this.

by intuitive on Jul 2, 2009 6:52 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

he means ariza.

by chaucer on Jul 2, 2009 6:53 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Well, we get modern day Rodman with an offensive game.

by hertagnism on Jul 2, 2009 7:13 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

What quote?

by intuitive on Jul 2, 2009 6:13 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

trevor spoke about his knowledge of artest signing with the lakers

by chaucer on Jul 2, 2009 6:15 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

any way we sign all 3? i mean, really. ron is 6 mil a year. what if we get lamar, for 7 or 8, and trevor decides he wants to sign the MLE after all? i mean, he could come off the bench…or start, it doesn’t matter.

by chaucer on Jul 2, 2009 6:32 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

We would be even deeper into the luxury tax then if we had just signed Ariza and Lamar. Really stinks. Maybe if Buss was willing to go deep deeeep into lux tax, but I doubt it. Only if we didn’t have Luke and Sasha’s contracts

by intuitive on Jul 2, 2009 6:37 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

trade luke and sasha to the grizzlies they seem to take everything anyone throws at them…look they took zach randolph lol

by chaucer on Jul 2, 2009 6:54 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

who would we get back?

by hertagnism on Jul 2, 2009 6:56 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

They can have them for free. ;P

by intuitive on Jul 2, 2009 6:58 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

they’d probably take the bait if the lakers threw me into the deal…they seem to have no clue in memphis.

by chaucer on Jul 2, 2009 6:55 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

what was his quote?

by bigdippa on Jul 3, 2009 1:11 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

i can’t wait for this to become official. next wednesday can’t come soon enough. next year,

artest vs james

bryant or odom vs ariza

bynum vs shaq

xmas for sure

by chaucer on Jul 2, 2009 6:14 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I have lost repect ...

for Ariza. You mean to tell me he did this “for my family”, that they offered him an opportunity “to become a better player” …? Ungrateful mother #$%#, wasn't long ago that he was rotting on the bench in the putrid Florida heat–––and the Lakers rescued his ass. Not to mention gave him the guidance to necessary to reach his current potential. I guess I would understand if he were leaving for a whole lot more money––but he's not. Essentially it's the same he would have received in LA; F#$ that greedy ungrateful punk. The truth is he left because he wants to be the number one guy––a star, but he’ll always be a robin, to someone else’s Batman.

by Pedro's curse on Jul 2, 2009 8:05 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Good deal for you guys

by shoothoop on Jul 2, 2009 5:59 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

revenge of the sith style.

I want TA back. I know in my head, logically, just having Ron on the team will most likely put fear in opposing teams, I mean, who do they guard? Kobe? Pau? LO? AB? and now Ron Freaking Artest?!

But my heart wants TA. He can’t seriously leave LA after all those years of being shopped around and going to college here. And I can’t help but think Ron will ruin all the great chemistry this team has set up. Will he be willing to work within the offense, instead of jacking up for really bad threes? I mean, this team has already struggled getting the ball to Pau, with Ron Ron here, it’ll never happen.

Argh. Please let this be a rumor. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE.
5-years of Ron Ron is going to be too long.

Control yourself
Take only what you need from it

by PeanutButterSpread on Jul 2, 2009 6:00 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

I don’t think team chemistry will be that much of an issue. LO and Kobe are good friends with Artest. We got a strong locker room presence.

by hertagnism on Jul 2, 2009 6:04 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

jason kidd just tweeted he is getting a sex change operation and joining the clippers.

by chaucer on Jul 2, 2009 6:11 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Apparently

The deal is 3 years for 18 million.

by PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE on Jul 2, 2009 6:24 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

great pick up

lakers will definitely be better

Aybar is a nowhere man, Sitting in his Nowhere Land, Making all his nowhere plans for nobody.

by princeton11loveshalos on Jul 2, 2009 6:02 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

mSHAKE THINGS up

damn the chemistry of our team is gonna be screwed. Ariza was humble. Artest is a fool who thinks he can shoot like kobe…..

the only plus is… if you can even consider it a plus… is that pierce isnt gonna be trying to punk anyone when artest is about to punch him in the face.

by robi s on Jul 2, 2009 6:17 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

so you don't think we are better offensively

at ALL?

Aybar is a nowhere man, Sitting in his Nowhere Land, Making all his nowhere plans for nobody.

by princeton11loveshalos on Jul 2, 2009 6:18 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

yes definitely

by chaucer on Jul 2, 2009 6:19 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

aretst is a better all around player than trevor. trever has greater athleticism and brings more energy (perhaps) than artest. artest will be motivated. i still don’t know if this is official though, given how crazy artest is, he can probably change his mind. i want this in writing. damn, i bet anything that KOBE had a lot to do with this. ron’s agent said ron was contacted by all of the stars on the remaining 8 playoff teams. kobe and him are friends.

by chaucer on Jul 2, 2009 6:21 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

a princeton boy like u should know better than that of course we are gonna be better. lol

by chaucer on Jul 2, 2009 6:22 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I'm pointing out

the fact that the lakers will be better offensively with Artest than Ariza. Gotta look at the positives

Aybar is a nowhere man, Sitting in his Nowhere Land, Making all his nowhere plans for nobody.

by princeton11loveshalos on Jul 2, 2009 6:40 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

yes. they should be.

by chaucer on Jul 2, 2009 6:56 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

We’re already a good offensive team, we’ve never had a problem with scoring points. It’s all been on the defensive side

by intuitive on Jul 2, 2009 6:57 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

This makes us pretty solid on the defensive end, heh.

by hertagnism on Jul 2, 2009 6:58 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

who can Artest guard? hmm. Boozer, Melo, Jefferson, Roy, Lebron, Blake, Pierce, Lewis,Carter,Hedo,the list goes on and on.. just remember that the one person who is most happy is Sasha, lol Artest can give Kobe more rest time, more time for Sasha

by ssfernan on Jul 3, 2009 1:19 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Artest almost doubles Ariza's offensive production

Artest is a better one on one defensive player. We just have to see how well he does on team defense. That was Ariza’s strenght.

by PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE on Jul 2, 2009 6:26 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

i really like ariza a lot. he was becoming one of my absolute favorites.

by chaucer on Jul 2, 2009 6:27 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

that punk david lee, is trying to speak collectively, he says “we are unappreciated” he also says that bynum is criticized a lot and he goes about his business and the lakers this and that….cry me a river u prick!!! david lee is a scum back.

by chaucer on Jul 2, 2009 6:28 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

that’s the business of sports agents, putting out smokescreen to paint somebody else as the greedy entity. The bad thing is the players they represent are the ones that suffer.

by hertagnism on Jul 2, 2009 6:35 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

He triples the number of shot attempts.

by intuitive on Jul 2, 2009 6:29 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

but he’ll be more efficient now that gasol and kobe and the gang will be his mates.

by chaucer on Jul 2, 2009 6:56 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

now we still have to bring lamar odom…i will not be satisfied if we do not sign him

by chaucer on Jul 2, 2009 6:21 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Lamar and Artest are best friends

Theres no way odom doesnt sign now. He might even sign for less just eto be with artest and the lakers.

by matthewmafa on Jul 2, 2009 6:22 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

before we were champs or serious contenders, and after losing last year to the celts, i said we needed a nastiness. someone with balls, tenacity, toughness. that’s ron. he’s here when we probably didn’t need him. however, it would have been very very challenging to repeat next year. we couldn’t just sit back and see others get 3 times better. we had to make a splash, and we have done so. mitch u are a genius.

by chaucer on Jul 2, 2009 6:24 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

now all we need is chris pual and we are set. ;)

by chaucer on Jul 2, 2009 6:25 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

i wonder what jack nicholson is thinking or saying right now

by chaucer on Jul 2, 2009 6:25 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

trevor should go to the clippers.

by chaucer on Jul 2, 2009 6:33 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

the lakers are crazy they are assembling an all star team…it’s not fair for the rest of the nba. let’s petition against this!!!

by chaucer on Jul 2, 2009 6:34 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

now i really want boston so we can whoop their ass.

by chaucer on Jul 2, 2009 6:35 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

I would LOVE

Ron Artest if he punched a celtic

Aybar is a nowhere man, Sitting in his Nowhere Land, Making all his nowhere plans for nobody.

by princeton11loveshalos on Jul 2, 2009 6:42 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

where is josh tucker in all of this?

by chaucer on Jul 2, 2009 6:35 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

I know right, he’s been mia for awhile now.

by intuitive on Jul 2, 2009 6:37 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Maybe on vacation. A lot of regulars have been on and off after the season ended.

by hertagnism on Jul 2, 2009 6:38 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Josh Tucker is in mourning.

holding a candlelight vigil for TA like the rest of us.

Control yourself
Take only what you need from it

by PeanutButterSpread on Jul 2, 2009 6:41 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

A Chris Broussard transcript from EPSN:

“When you look at that roster it is stacked. Artest and Kobe Bryant will form the best perimeter defense in the league, one that will be backed by two, probably three seven footers. Honestly at times it won’t even seem fair, even in the playoffs.”

Kinda comical.

by jxanthony on Jul 2, 2009 6:36 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

You never know. Way too early to say that. Talent alone does’t win a championship. It’ll depend on whether Artest will work with the system.

by intuitive on Jul 2, 2009 6:38 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

lol yeah baby thats what im saying

by chaucer on Jul 2, 2009 6:39 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

can u provide the link por favor

by chaucer on Jul 2, 2009 6:39 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

i want to read the full transcript anybody have the link?

by chaucer on Jul 2, 2009 6:52 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Anyone care to throw out suggestions for the new motto for the Lakers next season?

This past year was: one, two, three… ring!

I propose: one, two, three… Destroy!

by hertagnism on Jul 2, 2009 6:40 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

lol good one

by chaucer on Jul 2, 2009 6:41 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

i am ecstatic!!!!!!!!!!!

by chaucer on Jul 2, 2009 6:40 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

i want to hear kobe bryant say something about this. or derek or pao, one of the guys…

by chaucer on Jul 2, 2009 6:40 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Kobe’s probably staring at the number 5 right now. Like, as if the number 5 was the key to life.

by hertagnism on Jul 2, 2009 6:43 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Artest’s shot selection aside, I think this is a great pickup for the Lakers. Sad to know this could be the end of Ariza’s stint with LA, he was a huge fan favorite.

by frycook on Jul 2, 2009 6:45 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Trevor Ariza is nearing a decision, a source close to the talks tells Y! Sports. Three teams: Houston leads Cleve and a late Portland bid

by intuitive on Jul 2, 2009 6:54 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Not to piss in anyone's cornflakes here, but.........

aren’t we assuming Odom re-signs. This virtually guarantees Odom stays on the bench now and we aren’t going to offer him more than 7-8 million/yr.

I’m just sayin.

Well, sir, you are a cowardly son of a bitch! You just shot an unarmed man!.......Well, he should have armed himself if he's going to decorate his saloon with my friend. – Will Munny

by pslakerfan on Jul 2, 2009 6:56 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

I don't think it matters where Odom comes off from as long as the minutes are there

And yes, we are assuming Odom resigns. But aren’t all the moves the Lakers made pointing to that as a high probability event?

by hertagnism on Jul 2, 2009 6:57 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I assume the MLE offer to Trevor was because they wanted the money for Odom........

but that’s just an assumption. Remember Joey and Jimmy are calling the shots now apparently. Wouldn’t want to deplete the trust fund now would we?

Well, sir, you are a cowardly son of a bitch! You just shot an unarmed man!.......Well, he should have armed himself if he's going to decorate his saloon with my friend. – Will Munny

by pslakerfan on Jul 2, 2009 6:59 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Does anyone else find it strange that...........

Artest is happily signing for the same amount that Trevor was ‘disrespected’ by? I love Trevor, but who does he think he is?

Well, sir, you are a cowardly son of a bitch! You just shot an unarmed man!.......Well, he should have armed himself if he's going to decorate his saloon with my friend. – Will Munny

by pslakerfan on Jul 2, 2009 6:58 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

artest has been making 6,7, 8 million a year for a while now. he doesn’t seem to be that much about money. that’s great.

by chaucer on Jul 2, 2009 6:59 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I don’t think Trevor was “disrespected” as much as David Lee was “disrespected” by the team.

But if he was, then I will thank him for all the work he’s done and say goodbye.

by hertagnism on Jul 2, 2009 6:59 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

And Trevor needs to fire his ass.

Well, sir, you are a cowardly son of a bitch! You just shot an unarmed man!.......Well, he should have armed himself if he's going to decorate his saloon with my friend. – Will Munny

by pslakerfan on Jul 2, 2009 7:00 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

yes he does.

by chaucer on Jul 2, 2009 7:00 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

anyone have a photo of david lee. i have no idea what he looks like

by chaucer on Jul 2, 2009 7:00 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Just a guess

Well, sir, you are a cowardly son of a bitch! You just shot an unarmed man!.......Well, he should have armed himself if he's going to decorate his saloon with my friend. – Will Munny

by pslakerfan on Jul 2, 2009 7:05 PM PDT up reply actions   2 recs

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

LMFAO DAMN THIS MADE MY FREAKING DAY. along with the artest signing, of course.

by xMUx on Jul 2, 2009 9:41 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

this was great, i dont know where u got this from, but this was great. absolutely hilarious!!!!

by chaucer on Jul 2, 2009 9:46 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Understatement of the day.

by hertagnism on Jul 2, 2009 7:01 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

if trevor really wanted to be a laker, he would have been one. he would have taken the mle

by chaucer on Jul 2, 2009 7:00 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Apparently he is taking an MLE from someone else so WTF???

Well, sir, you are a cowardly son of a bitch! You just shot an unarmed man!.......Well, he should have armed himself if he's going to decorate his saloon with my friend. – Will Munny

by pslakerfan on Jul 2, 2009 7:00 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

i know. i don’t get it….

by chaucer on Jul 2, 2009 7:02 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

At least Ariza is not going to the Cavs or the Celtics or Orlando

I want to know the details of the deal and to see how much smoke his agent was blowing. I am going to be pissed if it’s for the MLE or close to it. Because that will prove that Lee put’s his commission ahead of his clients.

by PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE on Jul 2, 2009 7:07 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

He can’t accept anything more than the MLE from the Rockets because that’s all the Rockets can offer

by intuitive on Jul 2, 2009 7:14 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

ahhhhh ariza is retarded

going to a team with no sg, no center, no mcgrady, what in the hell was he thinking. good luck wasting away a couple years in a franchise that is floundering.

Bills make me wanna SHOUT!

by silverstreak3k on Jul 2, 2009 7:19 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Then that means David Lee is not only a manipulating piece of scum that is motivated by his own payday, he is also overvaluing his own negotiation skills and IQ.

by hertagnism on Jul 2, 2009 7:19 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

That is very very weird

Just strange. Ariza wouldn’t take the MLE from the Lakers, but he will from the Rockets?

I hope all free agents learn their lesson from this escapade.

"This is not a game for boys. This is a game for men." - Phil Jackson

by Gils_Keloids on Jul 2, 2009 7:19 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Lesson(s)

1.) Fire incompetent agent and make sure he gets ruined for messing up a good thing.

2.) Greed kills.

3.) Find a competent agent to represent you.

4.) Repeat #1.

by hertagnism on Jul 2, 2009 7:22 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Well he initially didn’t accept the MLE that was offered by Mitch because he said that wasn’t enough. So then Mitch went out and got Artest instead, and left Ariza no choice but to well I guess sign with another team. I guess Houston and Cleveland were the only ones making offers and both only offered the MLE.

His agent screwed up by wanting too much from the Lakers, and then when Mitch didn’t offer him a bigger contract he went elsewhere. Sucks for Ariza.

by intuitive on Jul 2, 2009 7:23 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Heres my version (which I imagined)

Lakers offered Ariza MLE
Ariza and agent say that’s not enough, we’ll look elsewhere
Ron Ron says he’ll take MLE
Lakers are faced with losing Ariza AND not getting Artest if they hesitate on Ron-Ron
If they give Ariza a chance to take MLE with knowledge they will sign Ron-Ron, Lakers risk offending Ron-Ron
SO best course of action is to sign Ron-Ron at MLE

"This is not a game for boys. This is a game for men." - Phil Jackson

by Gils_Keloids on Jul 2, 2009 7:28 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Sounds about right.

by intuitive on Jul 2, 2009 7:30 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

As always

your on point about everything.

by PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE on Jul 2, 2009 7:37 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

+1 - I agree 100%

One thing that baffles me is how on Earth could Ariza’s agent or Trevor himself think he could command more that $6 mill with:

1.) This current economic climate
2.) Everyone saving for 2010

I think his agent screwed him if he was actually expecting more. I love what TA did this year, but his bar should’ve been set around what Posey got last year. He’s going to regret this if this is in fact a done deal.

by wondahbap on Jul 2, 2009 8:08 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

poor trevor, he trusted his agent to represent him, using lee’s tactics, and they totally backfired on him. i really think he wishes he were a laker. this blew up in his face.

by chaucer on Jul 2, 2009 7:25 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

artest tweeted that he sent this song to kobe, soon thereafter the verbal commitment took place.

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

by chaucer on Jul 2, 2009 7:22 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Artest is weird

by intuitive on Jul 2, 2009 7:23 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

yea

should be an interesting season

Bills make me wanna SHOUT!

by silverstreak3k on Jul 2, 2009 7:24 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I am stoked on this pickup

I love TA and I’m sad to see him go. I was going to buy his jersey as soon as he signed this year. Now he’s gone and I’m okay with that…because we have RON MFing ARTEST.

Our team just got better defensively and offensively. We got a toughness and swagger bonus in addition to our defending champ status. If Ron can learn to operate in the system and play a third/fourth banana combo to Kobe, Pau and Lamar to a lesser extent BY THE PLAYOFFS the 5th KOBE RING IS INEVITABLE!~

The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist.

by Justin N. on Jul 2, 2009 7:23 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Well I guess if

Artest cometh, Ariza leaveth

Stinks.

by intuitive on Jul 2, 2009 7:24 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

it’s okay. it will be okay man. this the nature of sports. players come and go. kobe’s departure is also inevitable. he is aging, soon he’ll have to retire. like everything in life. new things come and they go all of the time.

by chaucer on Jul 2, 2009 7:27 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

it’s not known how many years the lakers offered. is it?

by chaucer on Jul 2, 2009 7:28 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

dreamshake thinks its way too much

6.6 mil a year, avg. hmm, was it worth it, rockets have a trashed season coming up, think theyll make a title run in 5 years? or does ariza get traded because they expect him to be the man, and he wont be?

Bills make me wanna SHOUT!

by silverstreak3k on Jul 2, 2009 7:28 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I thought the Rockets could only offer the MLE…

by intuitive on Jul 2, 2009 7:31 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

No its 5.5 for 5 years.

by intuitive on Jul 2, 2009 7:33 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Never mind you’re right, 6.6 million a year

by intuitive on Jul 2, 2009 7:35 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

What did I say...

I Knew it! This was just his agent’s ploys.

by PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE on Jul 2, 2009 7:39 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

now all i need is my sorry ass bills to win a superbowl.

by chaucer on Jul 2, 2009 7:28 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

AH!

not with DICK jauron running the show……altho TO will help

Bills make me wanna SHOUT!

by silverstreak3k on Jul 2, 2009 7:29 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

jauron rhymes with moron. he should have been dumped.

by chaucer on Jul 2, 2009 7:30 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

too true

also side note, trevor ariza will be the highest paid rocket on the floor opening day says dreamshake, tahts kinda funny.

Bills make me wanna SHOUT!

by silverstreak3k on Jul 2, 2009 7:30 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

they should move to LA, into the new proposed stadium.

by chaucer on Jul 2, 2009 7:28 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

so what’s up with lamar’s contract?

by chaucer on Jul 2, 2009 7:30 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

No word. I’m curious too…

by intuitive on Jul 2, 2009 7:31 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

i think the only way i am happy about artest coming to LA (although his signing is a great insurance blanket, and also gives the lakers the leverage with odom) is if we resign odom.

by chaucer on Jul 2, 2009 7:31 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Ariza verbally agrees to go to Houston for the MLE???? WTF?

Ariza needs to fire his agent. Go from an MLE offer an a team you just won the championship with to a team that’s gonna be rebuilding? What a dumb move.

by BallerBabe on Jul 2, 2009 7:32 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

I know right. It stinks

by intuitive on Jul 2, 2009 7:34 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

think of it this way

he wont have to play the lakers in the playoffs!

Bills make me wanna SHOUT!

by silverstreak3k on Jul 2, 2009 7:34 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

he shouldve gone to the cavs or portland. although, i don’t think either team was as interested in him as houston.

by chaucer on Jul 2, 2009 7:35 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Cleveland was really interested in him

by intuitive on Jul 2, 2009 7:37 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

then the only logical explanation is that he wanted to play a more prominent role. he would have been a back up in cleveland.

by chaucer on Jul 2, 2009 7:38 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

and got less money probably

they are saving for resigning lebron, they arent over-paying for anyone past this next year.

Bills make me wanna SHOUT!

by silverstreak3k on Jul 2, 2009 9:17 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

i hate you

Bills make me wanna SHOUT!

by silverstreak3k on Jul 2, 2009 9:26 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I know that is stupid.

I mean Yao’s injury in career threatening, so what does he expect to accomplish over there he couldn’t do with the Lakers. We will be scratching our heads on that one.

GO BRONCOS IN 2009 AND BEYOND!!

2009 NBA Champions L.A Lakers
2009 NBA Finals MVP Kobe Bryant

by weazel on Jul 2, 2009 7:36 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

he doesn't expect anything

They bluffed, we called it.

The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist.

by Justin N. on Jul 2, 2009 7:38 PM PDT up reply actions   1 recs

The he is truely an IDIOT!

I don’t know why players try to do that. I mean we was set in LA.

GO BRONCOS IN 2009 AND BEYOND!!

2009 NBA Champions L.A Lakers
2009 NBA Finals MVP Kobe Bryant

by weazel on Jul 2, 2009 7:40 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Well, I think PT is important and he would be starting in Houston, just not too sure about Cleveland.

I am interested in how the Rockets will approach this season. The earliest Yao may come back is going to be halfway through the season…I bet Houston will be a bottom feeder for the season, have ample cap space for next year’s free agents and maybe a top lottery pick or two.

by jxanthony on Jul 2, 2009 9:01 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

shaq said his objective now is to : “win a ring for the king”

lol not on our watch, sucker

by chaucer on Jul 2, 2009 7:38 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Shaq will make the Cavs a slower team.

GO BRONCOS IN 2009 AND BEYOND!!

2009 NBA Champions L.A Lakers
2009 NBA Finals MVP Kobe Bryant

by weazel on Jul 2, 2009 7:38 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

So the Magic beat the Cavs because they couldn't defend the pic n roll

and their perimeter shooters…remind me again how Shaq solves that. Especially in the fourth quarter when Shaq has had D wade and Kobe to pull him through during the hack a shaq moments in a game.

by PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE on Jul 2, 2009 7:41 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

He doesn't. That is why I was surprised they got him.

GO BRONCOS IN 2009 AND BEYOND!!

2009 NBA Champions L.A Lakers
2009 NBA Finals MVP Kobe Bryant

by weazel on Jul 2, 2009 7:43 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Shaq is an answer for Howard

at least a better answer than Varejao and Ilgauskas. He gives them a better shot at the Magic

The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist.

by Justin N. on Jul 2, 2009 8:02 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Artest will make us a slower team too…..

by intuitive on Jul 2, 2009 7:41 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

artest isn’t 400 pounds man. lol

by chaucer on Jul 2, 2009 7:42 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yeah but he isn’t fast. He isn’t that great in transition either

by intuitive on Jul 2, 2009 7:44 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

rasheed signed with boston. 2 year deal.

by chaucer on Jul 2, 2009 7:45 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Source?

All I see are just talks.

by hertagnism on Jul 2, 2009 7:50 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

espn ticker

by chaucer on Jul 2, 2009 7:51 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

unless i misread it

by chaucer on Jul 2, 2009 7:51 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I saw it there too.....@ $5.6 million I think.

GO BRONCOS IN 2009 AND BEYOND!!

2009 NBA Champions L.A Lakers
2009 NBA Finals MVP Kobe Bryant

by weazel on Jul 2, 2009 7:57 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

That would be the MLE

by intuitive on Jul 2, 2009 8:02 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

But he can defend one on one better than Ariza.

Artest can also pick up the scroing load when Kobe is on the bench. Ariza’s greatest asset was his team defense. Now he will be expected to do everything he did in LA without Yao and without a defenders like Kobe, Bynum and Gasol to clog up the middle.

by PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE on Jul 2, 2009 7:46 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Artest isn’t that great of a scorer, I’d rather Artest not shoot the ball that much. He likes to dribble too much too often. Hopefully the triangle will off-set some of his mannerisms

by intuitive on Jul 2, 2009 7:49 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Story about Kobe and Artest by John Ireland

http://stevemasonsmog.typepad.com/john_irelands_plog_710_es/2009/07/ron-artest-to-the-lakers-.html

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.”

by intuitive on Jul 2, 2009 7:41 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

LOL did he look at his dick too when he said that?

by chaucer on Jul 2, 2009 7:43 PM PDT up reply actions   1 recs

ooops.. sorry, i;ll watch my tongue.

by chaucer on Jul 2, 2009 7:44 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

damn, ireleand is right. this is not a done deal by any means.

by chaucer on Jul 2, 2009 7:49 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

this is a great story where in the hec did u get it from.. i mean how did u hear about it

by chaucer on Jul 2, 2009 7:56 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Um, John Ireland wrote it. That’s his blog. He works for the Lakers (I think). He’s one of the guys that interviews the players and is at all the pressers and things like that

by intuitive on Jul 2, 2009 8:02 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Ron Artest walked in on Kobe in the shower?

"This is not a game for boys. This is a game for men." - Phil Jackson

by Gils_Keloids on Jul 2, 2009 9:13 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

from reading several posts, looks like ariza had a big fan base. several of us are upset that he left. it’s understandable that we are. i am too. but i am happy we have artest as well.

by chaucer on Jul 2, 2009 7:41 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

What if the Lakers would of given him 8mil

We for sure would of lost Odom. Now we might have Artest and Odom. Wow!

by PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE on Jul 2, 2009 7:43 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

True

GO BRONCOS IN 2009 AND BEYOND!!

2009 NBA Champions L.A Lakers
2009 NBA Finals MVP Kobe Bryant

by weazel on Jul 2, 2009 7:44 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

They would have overpaid...

As good as Ariza is, he’s not worth $8 mil just yet. We’d be paying for potential and we know how that’s worked out for us so far.

by BallerBabe on Jul 2, 2009 7:57 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

i want to know what others are saying, like the magic, the cavs, the celtics….spies, go on recon missions to their blogs and see what’s up. reconvene in 30 mins. lol

by chaucer on Jul 2, 2009 7:50 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

So far from what I've seen the reaction is similar to that here

Basically this is an upgrade from Ariza if Artest can be reeled in mentally. There’s also the angles that Artest holds the ball too long so it will disrupt ball movement, etc etc.

Not that much talk about the agent angle though.

by hertagnism on Jul 2, 2009 7:54 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

the holding of the ball is something that can and should be fixed. he’s about to be coached by arguably the best coaches in basketball

by chaucer on Jul 2, 2009 7:57 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Ball movement will be my issue with Ron.

Control yourself
Take only what you need from it

by PeanutButterSpread on Jul 2, 2009 9:14 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

no way

ron ron will be holding the ball too long with a coach like phil and a dominate star like kobe.

by xMUx on Jul 2, 2009 10:01 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Pretty much a mixed reaction. Some think the trade is great and some think it could end up not working out

by intuitive on Jul 2, 2009 8:06 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I have been on there...

…Although I got banned from the Celtics blog they of course were hoping to get Ariza. But Celtic fans are hoping to get Sheed and the Cavs were still hoping to get Ariza. Not happening.

by PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE on Jul 2, 2009 7:52 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

i got banned from the cavs blog. pure discrimination.

by chaucer on Jul 2, 2009 7:58 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

What’d you do?

by intuitive on Jul 2, 2009 8:06 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

nothing bad.

by chaucer on Jul 2, 2009 8:22 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

lmao

dam you got some hilarious one liners.. some teams are too sensitive. I got banned from the suns site because I posted a pic of Oneal pointing to his ring finger when he first got introduced.

by PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE on Jul 2, 2009 8:32 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

i don't know about you guys

but i consider artest an upgrade over ariza. better offensively and better defensively. nuff said. i’m pretty confident that phil and kobe can keep him under control

by Adamas on Jul 2, 2009 7:54 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Thank you!

That is exactly how I felt. I was more optimistic than anything else. Business is business but to get a player of Artest’s caliber that is amazing. What will he do to Pierce or Lebron in the Finals.

by PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE on Jul 2, 2009 7:57 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Well, Kobe won't have to deal with him anymore.

Unless it is in practice.

GO BRONCOS IN 2009 AND BEYOND!!

2009 NBA Champions L.A Lakers
2009 NBA Finals MVP Kobe Bryant

by weazel on Jul 2, 2009 7:59 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

True.

I mean to say Kobe won’t have to deal with Artest guarding him

GO BRONCOS IN 2009 AND BEYOND!!

2009 NBA Champions L.A Lakers
2009 NBA Finals MVP Kobe Bryant

by weazel on Jul 2, 2009 8:02 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I'll miss the trashtalking.

Control yourself
Take only what you need from it

by PeanutButterSpread on Jul 2, 2009 9:13 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Ron is a more dependable spot up shooter.

The only question is will Ron be willing to sacrifice his offensive game to fit in with the system. I can’t say I know he will, but I think it’s well within the realm of possible

The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist.

by Justin N. on Jul 2, 2009 8:04 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Not to mention the fact that every single Lakers fan from the Pau Gasol trade on has been begging this team to pick up someone as tough as Artest is.

This is an unbelievably amazing trade. I absolutely agree that he is an upgrade in nearly every facet (transition speed won’t be like Trevor’s, but he isn’t going to walk back either) from one-on-one defense to passing to offensive production. Artest is an all-star and Trevor isn’t.

While I’m sad to see my boy go (I remember when we traded for him how in-love with his defense I was) people need to recognize that Artest is the better player. His criticisms stem from his poor shooting choice (won’t be an issue when he is the fourth option) and attitude (hasn’t been the same Ron-Ron from several years ago)—I fully expect Artest to be on his best behavior with Kobe and Phil a la Starbury in Boston.

by jxanthony on Jul 2, 2009 9:17 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

ESPN now

Well, sir, you are a cowardly son of a bitch! You just shot an unarmed man!.......Well, he should have armed himself if he's going to decorate his saloon with my friend. – Will Munny

by pslakerfan on Jul 2, 2009 8:03 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Get on Espn now

Well, sir, you are a cowardly son of a bitch! You just shot an unarmed man!.......Well, he should have armed himself if he's going to decorate his saloon with my friend. – Will Munny

by pslakerfan on Jul 2, 2009 8:04 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Get on Espn now

Well, sir, you are a cowardly son of a bitch! You just shot an unarmed man!.......Well, he should have armed himself if he's going to decorate his saloon with my friend. – Will Munny

by pslakerfan on Jul 2, 2009 8:04 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Artest Live

Well, sir, you are a cowardly son of a bitch! You just shot an unarmed man!.......Well, he should have armed himself if he's going to decorate his saloon with my friend. – Will Munny

by pslakerfan on Jul 2, 2009 8:04 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Cool, thanks

GO BRONCOS IN 2009 AND BEYOND!!

2009 NBA Champions L.A Lakers
2009 NBA Finals MVP Kobe Bryant

by weazel on Jul 2, 2009 8:04 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

or a link to a live feed? haha

The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist.

by Justin N. on Jul 2, 2009 8:05 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Not happy with Rockets 1 yr offer.

Not interested in money, wants to win. Will have no problems with Kobe. etc..

Well, sir, you are a cowardly son of a bitch! You just shot an unarmed man!.......Well, he should have armed himself if he's going to decorate his saloon with my friend. – Will Munny

by pslakerfan on Jul 2, 2009 8:05 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

On the DVR, I will try to summarize.

Concerned about Yao injury. Lakers stepped up first. OK with MLE, cause he has made money already. “Hey I lost a lot of money when David Stern suspended me”.

Relationship with Kobe is “cool”. Now I get to play with him. Our relationship has been there for years.

Phil spoke to his wife already. “He is my coach”.

Well, sir, you are a cowardly son of a bitch! You just shot an unarmed man!.......Well, he should have armed himself if he's going to decorate his saloon with my friend. – Will Munny

by pslakerfan on Jul 2, 2009 8:08 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

He doesn't know what number to use....

Wants fans to twitter him with suggestions. LOL

Well, sir, you are a cowardly son of a bitch! You just shot an unarmed man!.......Well, he should have armed himself if he's going to decorate his saloon with my friend. – Will Munny

by pslakerfan on Jul 2, 2009 8:10 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Pretty much all....

hope that helped.

Well, sir, you are a cowardly son of a bitch! You just shot an unarmed man!.......Well, he should have armed himself if he's going to decorate his saloon with my friend. – Will Munny

by pslakerfan on Jul 2, 2009 8:10 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

73 !

Dennis Rodman’s #.

by wondahbap on Jul 2, 2009 8:10 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

+1...twweeet that too him please

The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist.

by Justin N. on Jul 2, 2009 8:17 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Maybe 72?

That’s R and A on your phone.

Well, sir, you are a cowardly son of a bitch! You just shot an unarmed man!.......Well, he should have armed himself if he's going to decorate his saloon with my friend. – Will Munny

by pslakerfan on Jul 2, 2009 8:14 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

+1

I like that one.

by hertagnism on Jul 2, 2009 8:17 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

23?

32?
34?

"This is not a game for boys. This is a game for men." - Phil Jackson

by Gils_Keloids on Jul 2, 2009 9:15 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

32? you sure on that one?

Well, sir, you are a cowardly son of a bitch! You just shot an unarmed man!.......Well, he should have armed himself if he's going to decorate his saloon with my friend. – Will Munny

by pslakerfan on Jul 2, 2009 9:24 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

damn i wanted to see that. what espn r u guys watching… i click from espn, espn news, espn 2 and nothing i have directv

by chaucer on Jul 2, 2009 8:30 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Ariza’s agent, David Lee, said the 24-year-old forward passed up a more lucrative contract offer from another team with salary-cap space. “We decided to go with Houston anyway,” Lee said. “It was never about the money. It was about going someplace where you felt appreciated.”

http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-lakers3-2009jul03,0,7602019.story

by chaucer on Jul 2, 2009 8:23 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Then If it wasn't about the money

then define “appreciated”. That other lucrative offer had to of been Toronto. Lee is saying that it wasn’t about the money and on the other hand Ariza is saying he understood it was a business. Which one is it?

by PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE on Jul 2, 2009 8:25 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

lol yeah

by chaucer on Jul 2, 2009 8:26 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

WOw David Lee can't seem to take his foot from his mouth

Trevor didn’t want to go to Toronto because it’s a literally freezing ass town that isn’t gonna make the playoffs AGAIN. Rockets have a shot at least. The Lakers offered him the biggest contract they could have. Because of salary cap, paying him a dollar over the MLE was like paying DOUBLE the MLE for him. You’re worth 6.5 mil Trevor, but you’re not worth 13 mil.

Trevor knew damn well this town and organization appreciated him and wanted him back. HIS AGENT F’D THIS ONE UP.

The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist.

by Justin N. on Jul 2, 2009 8:30 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Well now he says that

Easy to say that after the fact when the Lakers won’t pay your client the 8-9 mil/yr that the both of them wanted and go ahead and sign someone else for MLE.

Hey Justin, it’s always the agents that mess deals up.

GO BRONCOS IN 2009 AND BEYOND!!

2009 NBA Champions L.A Lakers
2009 NBA Finals MVP Kobe Bryant

by weazel on Jul 2, 2009 9:24 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

correct me if i am wrong, but how many people were wearing ariza jerseys and shirts with his name and number written with marker, did he not throw a pitch at dodgers stadium? did he not feel the love? did he not hear kobe say he was key in winning the title? did he not feel appreciated? i want to hear ariza say those words.

by chaucer on Jul 2, 2009 8:24 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Yeap and his agent is now saying (after he verballly committed to houston) that it wasn’t about the money, it was about feeling wanted.

His agent is still talking BS

by intuitive on Jul 2, 2009 8:29 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Didn’t see you posted it above, my bad

by intuitive on Jul 2, 2009 8:30 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Are you kidding me 5 year 33 million

Dude Lee is going to make me curse. That is pretty much what the Lakers offered. So if Lee is saying that it wasn’t about the money then that means that Ariza chose to win about one million more to a team that he knows won’t win a title. OMG! Fire his Ass!

by PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE on Jul 2, 2009 8:29 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Thank you Mitch K...

We need to have a moment of silence for Ariza being gone. But we are fogetting about Mitch. We have all been hard on him and this time he stood his ground and not only didn’t he overpay for Ariza but he got a better player (although older) for the same amount of money. Yeah Artest is a risk but for 3 years I will take it.

Has anyone noticed that with the selling of the first picks in the draft the Lakers are going to end up paying about 1.5 Million only because of the money they saved by selling their 1st round picks. Not to mention how much money he saved the Lakers by not giving ariza 8 mil and by signing artest to only 3 years. Wow! Thnx Mitch!

by PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE on Jul 2, 2009 8:38 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

No offense but if I was the Lakers GM, Artest would have signed.....

This was the easiest deal he has made since he got the job.

Well, sir, you are a cowardly son of a bitch! You just shot an unarmed man!.......Well, he should have armed himself if he's going to decorate his saloon with my friend. – Will Munny

by pslakerfan on Jul 2, 2009 8:40 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

but it was a good deal nevertheless

some people might have waited things out to see if Ariza got offers and Artest could have slipped away to cleveland or another contender easily…then Ariza could have gotten a good offer and we’d be stuck either 1) overpaying him or 2) having Luke as our starting SF again

The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist.

by Justin N. on Jul 2, 2009 8:45 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

His agent did not allow for other offers to come along

he didn’t give the Lakers the option to counter offer so he forced the Lakers to choose. Just look at his quote when he was asked about it. He said that him and his client wouldn’t speak to the Lakers again..

Ariza already has firm offers from several other teams, according to Lee, and will begin speaking with opposing coaches today. Asked if he could envision Ariza accepting a deal from another team without speaking to the Lakers again, Lee said, “Yes, we have no choice. That’s the position they’ve put us in.”

by PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE on Jul 2, 2009 8:49 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Nah I think Lee meant more along the lines that he would talk to other teams and be open to negotiating with them too. He was just talking talk in order to try and scare the Lakers. Instead Mitch made a different move to replace him before it was too late.

by intuitive on Jul 2, 2009 9:11 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

artest makes the lakers more dangerous. it keeps them ahead of the pack. had cavs signed him, things would have been a lot more even.

by chaucer on Jul 2, 2009 8:53 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

No offense taken

You are 100% right about Artest signing… but the old Mitch would of Given Luke and Sasha their current contracts. Not this Mitch. He did good by standing-pat on not giving Ariza 8mil.

by PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE on Jul 2, 2009 8:45 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Hopefully...

If Artest goes nuts, and starts punching out fans, he does it in Boston.

I <3 TA, and I will light a candle, pour out 1/5th of my drink for my fallen homie, and mourn him…

But Artest is an All-Star, there is no way I will thumb my nose at this move. Instant improvement, now we are far and away the favorites for winning the title.

Now if Rasheed goes to Boston like ESPN is pimping… We can have ourselves a full on Boston vs LA cage match – and in those old school, blue, ladder style cages that had no give, not these new mesh-fence cages.

Blind devotion.

by ProfessorBigelow on Jul 2, 2009 8:47 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

OMG!

I haven’t laughed so hard tonite until i read this…omg! freaking hilarious!

If Artest goes nuts, and starts punching out fans, he does it in Boston

by PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE on Jul 2, 2009 8:51 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

where is the link to the ron artest interview on espn?

by chaucer on Jul 2, 2009 8:59 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

ESPN TV, not dot com.

Is everything that is on TV, put on website? I am not sure.

Well, sir, you are a cowardly son of a bitch! You just shot an unarmed man!.......Well, he should have armed himself if he's going to decorate his saloon with my friend. – Will Munny

by pslakerfan on Jul 2, 2009 9:01 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

well they should put an excerpt of the interview on their website.

by chaucer on Jul 2, 2009 9:10 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Hollinger of ESPN:

"From here, however, it looks like the right move. Too many times teams stand pat after winning a title and watch things fall apart — Miami in the summer of 2006, for instance, or these very Lakers in the summer of 2002. L.A. realized it needed to rearm to keep up with Orlando and Cleveland, and today it upgraded one of the two positions where it didn’t already have a star."

by chaucer on Jul 2, 2009 9:02 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Hollinger of ESPN:

"From here, however, it looks like the right move. Too many times teams stand pat after winning a title and watch things fall apart — Miami in the summer of 2006, for instance, or these very Lakers in the summer of 2002. L.A. realized it needed to rearm to keep up with Orlando and Cleveland, and today it upgraded one of the two positions where it didn’t already have a star."

by derekk on Jul 2, 2009 6:49 PM PDT reply reply actions actions 0 recs

by chaucer on Jul 2, 2009 9:03 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

someone from the magic’s blog wrote it

by chaucer on Jul 2, 2009 9:03 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Where isthe LOVE?!

I don’t understand how David Lee can say no love was shown to Trevor Ariza.

How was the front office not showing love to TA by offering the MLE? The same freaking MLE Ron Artest, yes RON FREAKING ARTEST, is willing to accept?

And how can TA not feel the love? The entire coliseum was chanting his name during the Lakers parade. TA threw the first pitch at the Dodgers. The fans love him. Kobe loves him. LO loves him. Stu loves him. The love for TA is EVERYWHERE in LA.

David Lee seriously has his head messed up if he thinks TA isn’t getting love here in LA.

Control yourself
Take only what you need from it

by PeanutButterSpread on Jul 2, 2009 9:12 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

David Lee is a nut case and dumb. He tried to play his cards, and it ended up costing him and unfortunately Ariza too.

by intuitive on Jul 2, 2009 9:13 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I know!

Even if the Lakers hadn’t put out an offer, they would most likely have matched the Rocket’s offer. 6.6 million, I think, could have been matched.

Control yourself
Take only what you need from it

by PeanutButterSpread on Jul 2, 2009 9:39 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Mitch didn’t make an offer.

From ESPN’s Chris Broussard “News and Notes” on ESPN.com front page:

The divide between Trevor Ariza and the Los Angeles Lakers stemmed not merely from the notion that the Lakers were unwilling to pay him more than midlevel exception (which will be approximately $5.8 million for the first season), but also from the fact that the Lakers did not make him an offer of any kind. When Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak spoke with Ariza’s agent, David Lee, on Wednesday, Kupchak essentially told Lee to go get the best offer he could and then bring it back to him, and perhaps the Lakers would match it.

What I dont get was why was Lee so angered about this? Wasn’t it the right thing to do?

by intuitive on Jul 2, 2009 9:15 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

What the hell is wrong with that?

YOu are exactly right! As I repeated many times Ariza was so adminant about saying that this was a business decision and if it was the case that he was asked to bring back an offer then why would Lee right out say that he and Ariza would not talk to the Lakers anymore? That is why I keep saying that this was Lee’s fault and he tried to strong arm the Lakers in the same way he did with Bynum.

by PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE on Jul 2, 2009 9:19 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Lee is an idiot, and an annoying dumb one at that.

by intuitive on Jul 2, 2009 9:26 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Well, when you just won a title and you were a key cog of it, business or not, he would expect some token of appreciation. I dun see why thats so hard to understand.

Being asked to go get the best you can and then come back, doesn’t seem like a whole of appreciation. It makes a whole lot of business sense. Eh, for Ariza’s personality, where do the two lines meet. Not in LA apparently. :P

by LionZion on Jul 3, 2009 9:47 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Mitch played hard ball

Lee told Mitch straight up, “We’re not taking the MLE.” Mitch responed with the top comment. I think Mitch has had it with Lee, after last season’s extension with Bynum. He wanted to avoid a public debate, as Lee prefers (he knows Lakers fans read the papers in LA). Mitch played this correct.

If anything, the Lakers could have STILL signed Ariza, but once news broke that the Lakers had signed Artest, to keep the status quo should Ariza left, Trevor obviously overreacted and took the deal from Houston because it was the one on the table right at the moment. I mean, c’mon? Houston?? The only thing they had over Portland, Toronto, and Cleveland is weather, an I know Trevor went to UCLA… but it’s not THAT cold in Portland.

by tandur on Jul 3, 2009 10:24 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

OH NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hollinger of ESPN:

“In what could be a potential set back to the Lakers championship aspirations, in spite of the apparent Artest acquisition, Lamar Odom makes a verbal commitment to the Blazers for a reported 5 year, $55 million deal. Asked about the reason behind leaving the Lakers and potential championships for a young team, not quite ready to make that leap, Odom replied “It’s a business. Everyone knows that this is a business.”

by chaucer on Jul 2, 2009 9:16 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

FRACK

Control yourself
Take only what you need from it

by PeanutButterSpread on Jul 2, 2009 9:16 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Are you serious? NO

by intuitive on Jul 2, 2009 9:16 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

OOPS

So what now? Pay Ariza and hope he breaks his verbal agreement?

Sheed?

"This is not a game for boys. This is a game for men." - Phil Jackson

by Gils_Keloids on Jul 2, 2009 9:17 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I don’t know, we can’t sign anybody else since we used our MLE on Artest.

by intuitive on Jul 2, 2009 9:18 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

nah i’m just messing with you guys LOL!

by chaucer on Jul 2, 2009 9:18 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

i hate you

I’m too drunk to have reasoning…

Blind devotion.

by ProfessorBigelow on Jul 2, 2009 9:18 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

BAD JOKE!

Not cool man!!

Control yourself
Take only what you need from it

by PeanutButterSpread on Jul 2, 2009 9:19 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

OmG

That was cold BLOODED!

"This is not a game for boys. This is a game for men." - Phil Jackson

by Gils_Keloids on Jul 2, 2009 9:19 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

lol i know sorry lol

by chaucer on Jul 2, 2009 9:20 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

For some reason i cant stop hearing Dave Chapelle

The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist.

by Justin N. on Jul 2, 2009 11:58 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

On July 2nd 2009, chaucer was on fire.

You killed me in this thread, figuratively speaking.

No more jokes like this, though, or you might actually kill people.

by Darkemans on Jul 3, 2009 9:48 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

no surprise from the twit of SS&R

the fact that some people actually fell for anything that comes out of chaucer’s fertlizer coated mouth is even more surprising.

by tandur on Jul 3, 2009 10:26 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

it’s not real im just kidding

by chaucer on Jul 2, 2009 9:18 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

THATS NOT FUNNY

There are basic Fundamentals that are needed to move forward in this game. Always keep your guard up at all times to avoid being caught in a trap. Overcome the fouls that will be commited against you REBOUND AND PRESS ON. ADJUST to the LimeLight: ALL-STAR PLAYERS ARE ALWAYS THE CENTER OF ATTENTION. Know what your role is and play your position. Find a game plan and execute it. REMEMBER YOU ONLY GET OUT OF THE GAME WHAT YOU PUT INTO IT.

by BrittneyM on Jul 2, 2009 11:03 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

wow...

lol don’t f*ck with me like that man. i almost sh*t in my pants.

by xMUx on Jul 2, 2009 9:35 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

NO THAT CAN'T BE TRUE NAH NO

Come on we can’t lose both Ariza and Trevor HELL NO, Now I will QUESTION MITCH

There are basic Fundamentals that are needed to move forward in this game. Always keep your guard up at all times to avoid being caught in a trap. Overcome the fouls that will be commited against you REBOUND AND PRESS ON. ADJUST to the LimeLight: ALL-STAR PLAYERS ARE ALWAYS THE CENTER OF ATTENTION. Know what your role is and play your position. Find a game plan and execute it. REMEMBER YOU ONLY GET OUT OF THE GAME WHAT YOU PUT INTO IT.

by BrittneyM on Jul 2, 2009 11:03 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

It’s a joke.

And Ariza and Trevor are the same person (;

by intuitive on Jul 2, 2009 11:09 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs