Artest Cometh
by DexterFishmore on Jul 2, 2009 5:40 PM PDT
in Editorial
413 comments
*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
Jackson got his bad boy/intimdiator
Artest 2009 = Rodman 1998
by 420man! on Jul 3, 2009 12:20 AM 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
speechless!
He reminded me of Cooper.
by PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE on Jul 2, 2009 6:49 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 to see KG try to intimidate Ron Ron
by hertagnism on Jul 2, 2009 6:35 PM PDT up 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
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
Or starting a mob to march down to David Lee's office...
I’d join that.
by hertagnism on Jul 2, 2009 6:44 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
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
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
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
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
lee only has 4 clients...2 lakers....i wonder why
by chaucer on Jul 2, 2009 7:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ariza is going to the Rockets
Dam it! It’s on ESPN now!
by PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE on Jul 2, 2009 7:02 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
watch it on the ESPN News
It should be on the ticker and it will renew every 30 Mins…
by PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE on Jul 2, 2009 7:05 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
i am direct espn and espn news nothing yet
by chaucer on Jul 2, 2009 7:09 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
If those details comes out and it is for the MLE or close, then it'll prove much more than Lee's greed
by hertagnism on Jul 2, 2009 7:12 PM PDT up 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
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.
by chaucer on Jul 2, 2009 7:22 PM PDT 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
Update 2: Marc Spears of the Boston Globe is reporting that Ariza will sign a 5-year, 33 million dollar deal. Yikes.
Bills make me wanna SHOUT!
by silverstreak3k on Jul 2, 2009 7:25 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
So that's basically what the Lakers offered.
Good job David Lee….
by hertagnism on Jul 2, 2009 7:26 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
6.6 is just the avg over 5 years, who knows how much is being paid this upcoming year.
Bills make me wanna SHOUT!
by silverstreak3k on Jul 2, 2009 7:32 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
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
Resigning Odom is 97% certain, to me, from all these events
by hertagnism on Jul 2, 2009 7:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
i agree
Bills make me wanna SHOUT!
by silverstreak3k on Jul 2, 2009 7:33 PM PDT up 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Kobe will probably give him a book on how to shoot the same way he did for TA
by hertagnism on Jul 2, 2009 8:00 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
+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
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
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
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Blind devotion.
by ProfessorBigelow 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
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
That was an awesome Joke...
Still laughing.
by PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE on Jul 2, 2009 9:21 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
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
You got your share of them.
I would have reacted, but I didn’t get to these post just yet.
GO BRONCOS IN 2009 AND BEYOND!!
2009 NBA Champions L.A Lakers
2009 NBA Finals MVP Kobe Bryant
by weazel on Jul 2, 2009 9:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
if that were true my heart would have dropped to my feet. and i probably would have punched my laptop
by chaucer on Jul 2, 2009 9:20 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
That was too cruel Chaucer
Way too cruel….
by hertagnism on Jul 2, 2009 9:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
that’s just to let u guys know we are not in the clear just yet, we still have one big fish to reel in. then we can start talking title again
by chaucer on Jul 2, 2009 9:21 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
true!
Odom is the step child and we cannot win a title without him. We need his height. Speaking of height I want to see a Celtics Cavs ECF! that is going to be awesome.
by PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE on Jul 2, 2009 9:24 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
we all are assuming odom will resign. there’s no guarantee that will happen. many were confident both would be back, now look…trevor is gone.
by chaucer on Jul 2, 2009 9:22 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
The MLE offier for Ariza or any offer came with the intention
that the Lakers would sign or attempt to sign LO…. just my opinion.
by PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE on Jul 2, 2009 9:24 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Odom will be back because of one huge aspect:
His agent is not David Lee
by intuitive on Jul 2, 2009 9:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
HAHAHAHA, you are right.
GO BRONCOS IN 2009 AND BEYOND!!
2009 NBA Champions L.A Lakers
2009 NBA Finals MVP Kobe Bryant
by weazel on Jul 2, 2009 9:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
What a starting five!
Fisher, Kobe, Artest, Bynum, Gasol..
by PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE on Jul 2, 2009 9:27 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
yup… or
bryant, artest, odom, gasol, bynum
by chaucer on Jul 2, 2009 9:28 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
deep down, i think he’ll be back as well. i do believe we need him if we want to repeat. besides, in case the artest thing doesn’t pan out, if he doesn’t fit our system, or what have you, we have lamar, who can take his spot and ariza’s.
by chaucer on Jul 2, 2009 9:28 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Lamar and Artest are good friends too. Growing up they played basketball together, and both grew up in Queens
by intuitive on Jul 2, 2009 9:28 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
though i prefer odom or artest off the bench
by chaucer on Jul 2, 2009 9:29 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
i just hope ron artest doesn’t break his word. he’s unpredictable. at least, from what i’ve seen on the court.
by chaucer on Jul 2, 2009 9:30 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I think this is the clip of Artest on ESPN earlier.
http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=4303977&categoryid=2459788espn.com
by intuitive on Jul 2, 2009 9:30 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
thanks man. that was a great clip. i had a big smile during the entire time. wow, he looked very excited to be a laker.
by chaucer on Jul 2, 2009 9:37 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
That was an awesome interview
so many sound bites.
by PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE on Jul 2, 2009 9:42 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
hey and what’s up with magic johnson kinda hating on the lakers during the finals. he picked the magic twice, and the lakers won…i forgot to bring that up…anyhow, it’s history, who cares…
by chaucer on Jul 2, 2009 9:31 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Playing devil's advocate
He’s minority owner of the Lakers. No way he wants them to lose.
by hertagnism on Jul 2, 2009 9:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
He was and ABC employee
He is supposed to at least try and be bias. it’s not like his last name is Van Gundy.
by PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE on Jul 2, 2009 9:56 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Surprise Surprise David Lee is STILL talking.
I can tell you definitively Trevor had an offer that was nine million more than what the Rockets offered and he decided to go with Houston,"
talking more about the “it wasn’t ever about the money” I call bull.
by intuitive on Jul 2, 2009 9:33 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Which team offered Trevor $14m? That’s bull.
by hertagnism on Jul 2, 2009 9:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
is he trying to lie to Ariza, the fans or himself...
This guy is crazy! 14 Mil! yeah right!
by PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE on Jul 2, 2009 9:42 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Im sure he was referring to the cumulative money amount
not to the amount per year
by SeanMillerSavior on Jul 2, 2009 10:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
He has to be a moron to think people actually believe him.
He’s going to Houston, so be done with it allready.
GO BRONCOS IN 2009 AND BEYOND!!
2009 NBA Champions L.A Lakers
2009 NBA Finals MVP Kobe Bryant
by weazel on Jul 2, 2009 10:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Technical Foul / Crazy Time!
I like Ron Artest as a person, but wasn’t he the one that was talking crazy about how he was afraid of snake eggs?
I can tell you this, next year, we’re going to have a lot of entertaining quotes coming out of Ron’s mouth.
Also, I see technical fouls and ejections rocketing up.
Not because Ron will deserve them, but just because by reputation, the refs will love teeing him up and ejecting the poor guy. That can seriously harm the Lakers momentum or our playoff run.
But on paper, Ron should make this team A LOT better. Especially if LO is on the team as well.
Control yourself
Take only what you need from it
by PeanutButterSpread on Jul 2, 2009 9:43 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
what kind of message are the lakers possibly sending (if any) to lamar odom through the artest deal?
by chaucer on Jul 2, 2009 9:48 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
i hope lamar doesn’t interpret it as a move that says he is no longer needed. he is surely wanted and needed.
by chaucer on Jul 2, 2009 9:49 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I don’t think he’d interpret it that way, I hope not at least.
by intuitive on Jul 2, 2009 9:49 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
artest has spent the past like month at his house
so i doubt this sends a NEGATIVE message to him…..at least i hope, we are one lamar odom away from a repeat
Bills make me wanna SHOUT!
by silverstreak3k on Jul 2, 2009 9:51 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
damn ive been on this for like 4 straight hours. time to give it a rest for tonight. till tomorrow, hopefully more good news develop—such as lamar signing.
peace!
by chaucer on Jul 2, 2009 9:51 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
The right move was made
As I said in a separate thread, Ariza is not worth more than $6 million. Even $7 million would be stretching it. He does two things right now essential for a wing on a championship team: hits threes and defends. There’s a ton of wings in this league who can do that. The money we were paying him was for his potential because he’s shown the work ethic to improve. Unless he developed a solid midrange game next year, he wouldn’t be worth the kind of money he was looking for. I’m certain this is due to Lee making a hair-brained decision by playing hardball and reaping the consequences for his idiocy, but it’s also Ariza’s fault on some level for being led by his agent. Best wishes to him.
As far as signing Artest goes, he was the best wing available. Marion isn’t better and complains about touches, Hill is aging, Atlanta would match a MLE offer to Williams or Childress, Kleiza is overrated, Bowen has deteriorated, and so on and such forth. $18 million over three years is a solid deal for his production, and most importantly, we now have a wing who can guard the superstar threes on practically every contender — Boston (Pierce), Orlando (Carter), Cleveland (LeBron), San Antonio (Jefferson), Denver (Melo). Ariza simply wasn’t in the same weight class. Also, if there is a locker room in the league (besides Boston) that could keep Ron-Ron in line, it’s this one. Kobe’s and Fisher’s locker room gravitas, Phil’s savvy, and Odom, Artest’s beset friend, being here is the best anyone can do.
As far as the on-court issues go, the biggest thing you can’t do with Artest is make him your first banana on offense. It’s why Houston’s offense went to hell when Yao was injured — Artest had free license to throw up horrible shots. Here, he’s behind Kobe and Pau for touches and even Odom or Bynum in some circumstances. If his feet are set, he’s a tremendously accurate shooter and can brutalize smaller wings on post ups and drives. I’ve already mentioned his value against bigger wings — especially LeBron; he may be one of the few players in the league able to slow him down — and he’s a good help defender.
But the best part? No one, and I mean no one will ever call us soft again and good riddance.
by Ben R on Jul 2, 2009 9:52 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
The best break down of the Artest aquisition i have read so far..
you pretty much outlined everything and something that I forgot which is the “soft” personality that everyone has labelled the Lakers with.
by PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE on Jul 2, 2009 10:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ric Bucher's latest tweet...as of about 15 minutes ago:
“Last on Artest/Lakers: team source denied it all the way. Don’t know why but it twists my gut. Goes to show: none of us are foolproof.”
interesting…
by Arby on Jul 2, 2009 10:03 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Really? You are a Blazer's fan
Why should we believe you. We have all seen the interview on ESPN in LA! Sorry your attempt wasn’t any good. Good try though!
by PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE on Jul 2, 2009 10:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
???
This is a strange response, PAGFL.
He was pointing out that Bucher felt that he was misled by his inside source in the Lakers’ organization.
"This is not a game for boys. This is a game for men." - Phil Jackson
by Gils_Keloids on Jul 2, 2009 10:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Kupchak had a little interview and talked about Artest already.
We have entered into discussions with Ron Artest and it is our intention to sign him to a contract at the conclusion of the moratorium period.
http://my.lakers.com/blogs/2009/07/02/mitch-kupchak-statement-on-ron-artest/
by intuitive on Jul 2, 2009 10:42 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
See Gils' response.
It was more of an anecdote than anything.
by Arby on Jul 2, 2009 10:45 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oh i see, I was just letting you know just in case you hadn’t already figured it out. :)
by intuitive on Jul 2, 2009 10:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well
Sorry to see you go Trevor. It’s almost like letting go of Horry.
Via POV of the agent, it’s like Shaq taking less money to play for Miami. Except you won’t be getting a ring. (And you getting long term guaranteed money on your sliding scale pay check.)
That 4.5 million we saved, better be in good use for Lamar and possibly Shannon Brown. Please do not resign Sun.
ANYBODY THINK SOMETHING IS BREWING WITH ALL THE QUIET TIME WITH LAMAR?
Sorry for typing loud. Like Samuel Jackson loud.
by Charles Y on Jul 2, 2009 10:16 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
In San Antonio
Imagine Richard Jeffersons Text:
Pop, Timmy; what now?
by Charles Y on Jul 2, 2009 10:16 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Lamar and the Lakers
Why so quiet on his front and the organization. I suspect that another big signing or trade is about.
by Charles Y on Jul 2, 2009 10:33 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I know right. Haven’t heard of Lamar’s new contract AT ALL so far.
by intuitive on Jul 2, 2009 10:42 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Market for Odom is much smaller
OKC is the only team left with significant cap space who’s interested in a four, and I’m not sure they want to burn their 2010 cap space on Odom, especially not with Millsap and Lee stil on the market.
by Ben R on Jul 2, 2009 10:53 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
No Worries
At first I cringed at the thought of loosing TA and picking up
Artest. Think about it though. Artest dominated TA in the playoffs. Kobe couldn’t keep him off the boards. TA was a good fit because he made good decisions in the triangle. Moved the ball well and took the shots kobe expected him to take. The only scary thing for me is, will Artest move the ball. He could almost play Kobe’s roll with the second unit. He is a very hard cover. Commands double teams. He does force the ball and hang on to it way to long. He will improve his ball movement, you wait.
Defensively, we just got even better. Against the Celtics last year Kobe had to cover anyone who got hot. To many good shooters. Now with artest, Kobe and Shannon Brown, might not even need to rotate. Just play straight up.
Artest will also help against Prince James.
I liked TA but we may have just improved a championship team.
Now Mitch, pick up Grant Hill and drop Sasha. I like Sasha’s defence but takes the worst shots.
by jimmayyyyyy on Jul 2, 2009 10:37 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Ron’s shooting dropped off after the first two or three games. Ariza did a commendable job on guarding him
by intuitive on Jul 2, 2009 10:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Because Yao got injured
You absolutely cannot let Artest be option one on offense because then he goes into hero mode. With Yao gone, he had to create offense, and that’s a recipe for disaster. We have Kobe and Pau ahead of him and even Odom and Bynum in some circumstances. He knows where the hierarchy is here.
by Ben R on Jul 2, 2009 10:45 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
No way we get rid of Sasha
His contract is practically unmovable unless we take on a contract of similar length. Unless we trade for Hinrich — who is solid but has a huge contract for that kind of production — or some other decent player on a long deal, it’s not happening.
by Ben R on Jul 2, 2009 10:44 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
We’re not going to shore up our bench? Instead of more signings I wish we would make some trades.
by intuitive on Jul 2, 2009 10:43 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
If the Lakers sign Odom
Those practice scrimmages are going to be something to behold
Gasol v Bynum
Kobe v Artest
Odom v Powell/Walton
Fisher v Farmar
Brown v Machine?
"This is not a game for boys. This is a game for men." - Phil Jackson
by Gils_Keloids on Jul 2, 2009 10:47 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
To the people thinking Artest will improve our offense
Really? This isn’t as simple as “omg guys! we’re adding a 18 ppg scorer!” Basketball analysis is much more nuanced than that.
We’re adding a high-volume, notoriously inefficient scorer. A chucker, to be blunt. I spent the entire last season laughing my tail off because I knew Ron would shoot the Rockets out of any close game.
Kevin Pelton points out: “Last year, Ariza used 16.7 percent of the Lakers’ possessions while on the floor. Artest used 24.7 percent of Houston’s possessions, and has been over 23 percent every year since 2002-03.”
Now is it possible that, with better offensive options around him, Artest cuts back? I hope so, because our success depends on that. But if he doesn’t, it likely means less shots for everyone except Kobe. Remember how much we screamed for more Pau touches? Yeah, that’s not happening if Artest starts chucking.
He takes unintelligent, contested shots. And it’s not just the shots. He stops the ball. Our offense’s success is based off ball reversals, cuts, beautiful passing. Artest stops all of that. He’s the antithesis of the triangle offense.
by Snoopy2006 on Jul 2, 2009 10:52 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
This could turn out great. of course
Provided Artest fits to his role. On offense, he needs to move the ball and stick to shooting open 3s. If he does that, fantastic. But history suggests he won’t, which is why I worry.
High risk, possibly high reward. This season will be very interesting. Always drama in Lakerland.
by Snoopy2006 on Jul 2, 2009 10:53 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Offense has never been our problem though. We can score at will basically. We have enough guys that can score. We need guys to play defense, that was why Ariza was such a complimentary player to the team.
Definitely a high risk/high reward signing. I’m still not sure I like the signing. If Ariza’s agent hadn’t been so pesky… Oh well.
by intuitive on Jul 2, 2009 10:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't think we're disputing that Artest is a nut
In terms of his offensive execution, but he’s going from essentially being the second banana on offense in Houston — and even then, Houston seemed to sell Yao short in terms of touches a lot — to the third or fourth wheel in our offense. The absolute worst, worst thing you can do is let him be the first option, as evinced by his horrific performance in the series against us after Yao goes out.
Now, I’m certainly aware that this could fall apart dramatically, but if there’s a team in the league that has the personalities to (at least try to) make him play in a system, it’s this one.
by Ben R on Jul 2, 2009 10:56 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Also, the touches stat is a bit disconcerting
Mainly because Artest had such a prominent role in the Houston offense because they had precious few people outside of Yao (Wafer in some circumstances, Scola with his 15-17 footer on occasion) who could generate their own shot. Artest had to shoot bad, bad shots out of necessity from time to time (okay, a lot), but there should be a significant difference when the ball is in Kobe’s and Pau’s hands the majority of the time. Ariza rarely held the ball to initiate the offense.
by Ben R on Jul 2, 2009 10:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
That's my hope
That Artest’s chucking ways were made necessary by the situation. But if you remember back to his Arco days, he would often ignore better offensive options to take awful, contested, pounding-the-ball-for-20-seconds type shots.
But you’re right, if he recognizes that the ball should not go through him on this team, then it’s a great move. It’s a big change, though, to retrain his philosophy to more of a spot up shooter.
As Laker fans, let’s hope he can make the transition. Because as a spacer and controlled offensive player, this move could be gold.
Kobe and Artest would be fearsome defensively. One lightning-quick and lanky, the other bull-strong and intimidating. Wow.
by Snoopy2006 on Jul 2, 2009 11:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
If he plays within the system
Then we’re going to be gangbusters. Kobe and Artest defending the wings is going to scare the s*** out of any team’s offense. Artest actually harnessing his spot-up shooting and drives (the most memorable one being when he drove past Ariza to finish with a vicious dunk during our series against Houston) in our offense is another great thought.
As with all situations like this though, I think the real answer will be found somewhere in the middle between total collapse and completely blowing opponents apart. I’m inclined to believe we’ll see a lot more of the latter though.
by Ben R on Jul 2, 2009 11:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
+1
Extremes are almost always wrong. I think we may start off rocky, but I think that by the time the playoffs roll around, Phil will have this team ready.
by Snoopy2006 on Jul 2, 2009 11:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
All good points but...
Regarding your ,
Ron would shoot the Rockets out of any close gamebelief that is true on any team where he wasn’t the top scoring option. Which isn’t the case on the Lakers.
You argument regarding the amnt of times Artest handles the ball…see previous comments.
Regarding Artest sharing the ball, when was the last time you heard him complaining about touches? Show me some quotes or article links that prove that then we can talk.
The following,
He takes unintelligent, contested shots. And it’s not just the shots. He stops the ball. Our offense’s success is based off ball reversals, cuts, beautiful passing. Artest stops all of that. He’s the antithesis of the triangle offenseis just your opinion without any valid/concret evidence.
Although you are entitled to your opinon it doesn’t make it right…
by PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE on Jul 2, 2009 11:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Evidence?
Bro, it’s called watching the games. Visual confirmation. Much smarter basketball minds than any of us agree:
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_dont_lie/post/Ron-Artest-to-the-Lakers-?urn=nba,174475
http://www.basketballprospectus.com/unfiltered/?p=273
Trust me I’m rooting as hard for Artest as anyone (I probably came off too strong in my original post). I’m just a little worried because anyone who’s seen Artest’s history realizes the type of offensive game he has. “Concerned” is a good way to put it, I guess.
But I think the X-factor here is Kobe/Phil. If anyone can discipline Ron offensively, it’s them. Let’s hope for the best for our guys.
by Snoopy2006 on Jul 2, 2009 11:16 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Snoopy has fair points
I was practically begging for Artest to get possession of the ball after Yao went down because he simply does really, really stupid things with the ball when he’s forced to generate offense on a consistent basis. It’s a valid concern that he won’t act as a third or fourth banana in our offense, although I think he can be convinced into doing so. Again, as I’ve said repeatably throughout this thread, Artest cannot be your first option on offense, maybe not even your second option. That sends your offense into hell and is what Snoopy is worried about. I trust Phil more than anyone to straighten him out though.
by Ben R on Jul 2, 2009 11:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I like the point
that you made about him not complaining. You’re definitely right on about that, he doesn’t call for touches.
It makes me believe he won’t be a locker room problem at all. I don’t see chemistry being an issue with Artest.
by Snoopy2006 on Jul 2, 2009 11:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Chemistry isn’t going to be an issue.. I’m worried about whether Artest will be able to work within the system and not feel compelled to do too much.
Ariza accepted his role nicely, and that’s why he fit in so well with the team. It sucks to see him go. Hopefully Artest can accept his role and fit in as nicely as Ariza did. One can only hope.
by intuitive on Jul 2, 2009 11:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yup
Sums it up nicely. Can Artest play within a defined role? We’re about to find out.
by Snoopy2006 on Jul 2, 2009 11:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm going to say "Yes"
Artest will play the right way under the triangle offense.
I have nothing to back this up, no guarantee, no warranty, nothing, except that I believe Ron when he says he wants to win.
"This is not a game for boys. This is a game for men." - Phil Jackson
by Gils_Keloids on Jul 2, 2009 11:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, when you have a star player of Kobe’s caliber you need role players to play their role. Hopefully Artest will understand his job and what’s needed of him.
by intuitive on Jul 2, 2009 11:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well if they want to win he better get with the program
and no stupidness on the court, play your defense and make open three pointers, thats it RON, nothing else.
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 11:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Artest has not been an issue internally
If you remember, when he first signed with the Rockets the 1st person to open their mouth in doubt was Yao (sweet heart) Ming. Yet the Rockets NEVER had an issue internally with him. Yao was talkin ish from day one about Artest. Yet he never retaliated. The issues happened on the court and that is for one reason. Veteran leadership. Name one veteran player on the Rockets team that he respected? Artest could never be the primary or secondary player on any team. That is why he had to chuck-up shots in Houston. What kept Rodman in check was his respect for Phil and Jordan. That wasn’t the case for Artest in Houston. However, on this Laker team that is different. If everyone saw his interview on ESPN he seemed very respectful of Phil. He even called him “coach”. I have not seen an incident from him in recent times to cause me to doubt him. Let’s not do with Artest what everyone does with Kobe which is judge him based on his past.
by PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE on Jul 3, 2009 12:10 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
On to your point..
I think that Phil and Kobe’s management of Artest is the most crucial part of the Artest deal.
by PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE on Jul 3, 2009 12:16 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ariza will be a perpetual loser now.
What a nucklehead move by Trevor.
Restore the California Angels Moniker!
by CA HR on Jul 2, 2009 11:05 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
lol true I don't understand players you go from being a champion to a chump
Have fun in Houston Trevor
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 11:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I blame Lee more
Honestly, he engineered this.
by Ben R on Jul 2, 2009 11:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
i agree!
most Laker fans believe that mentality.
by PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE on Jul 2, 2009 11:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
thats true Ariza should definitely look into getting rid of Lee
I blame Trevor because I wouldn’t let my agent jack up my chances at winning.
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 11:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, the final decision was in Ariza's hands
Even if his agent is a douche
by Snoopy2006 on Jul 2, 2009 11:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
True
But you have to admit that Lee was the one who created a good chunk of this situation and alienated both parties from each other. It comes down to Ariza making the decision, but it has a good chunk of Lee’s fingerprints on it.
by Ben R on Jul 2, 2009 11:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Definitely
Lee started the same thing with Bynum. Just a complete moron of a person. I think he’s trying to be like Dan Fegan, only not good.
Lee tried to play hardball, and I think Mitch basically said – “You know what? We love your client, but he’s replaceable.” And so Mitch went for the SF that was looking forward to taking a MLE offer. And Ariza, who was probably just following his agent’s advice, was stuck, because he had just been replaced and couldn’t do much now. So it’s definitely on Lee.
by Snoopy2006 on Jul 2, 2009 11:24 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
See this is why people should represent themselves
Right now I feel like slapping LEE for Trevor and if I was Trevor the first offer the Lakers offered I would of jump on it, Trevor knows the Lakers wanted him back, he shouldn’t care what his agent said and told him to F*** off and signed with the Lakers.
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 11:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Now, now, we need agents
I wouldn’t trust a lot of these guys to negotiate their own contracts, namely all the incentives and whatnot that go into them (especially the legal side of them), but agreed that players should take a bit of a stand for themselves in these cases.
by Ben R on Jul 2, 2009 11:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Why not trust them
They are not dumb or stupid. Ignorant to the system maybe. But what about what other NBA players have done which is negotiate the money side of the contract and then pay an experienced lawyer to review the contract. Just because they are athletes we cannot stereotype them for being dumb jocks.
by PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE on Jul 3, 2009 12:13 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm not stereotyping; I'm being realistic
It’s hell of a lot easier to negotiate your own contract when you don’t have to worry about anything but the big fat number attached to the end of it because your agent is handling all the little details. This is especially true for younger players; think Bynum last year (20? 21?) wanted to look over the precise details of his multi-million dollar deal?
by Ben R on Jul 3, 2009 12:33 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Lakers did the right thing
Championships now, not later. Artest is an upgrade, I have to admit, Ariza filled his role great and I just hoping Artest fills the role better. Once Odom and Brown gets re-signed I will feel better and the Lakers will REPEAT.
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 11:07 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
David Lee claims Toronto offered more than the mid-level
But Toronto can only make that offer if they renounce Marion, Parker, and Delfino.
And even if they did, the most they could offer was a contract starting at $6.3M
"I've hacked into your brain. You're throwing a party and no one's showing up."
by ignign*kt on Jul 2, 2009 11:12 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
And even then it was a bit pointless
Toronto needs to win now to convince Bosh to stay. Why sign a wing who is still developing his game? Also, I believe they’re close to bringing back Delfino, which would kill their cap space.
by Ben R on Jul 2, 2009 11:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Question
Do we adopt his Crazy Pills nickname? Or come up with a new one?
by Snoopy2006 on Jul 2, 2009 11:26 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I always liked Ron-Ron
But I guess it comes down to general consensus.
by Ben R on Jul 2, 2009 11:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
We need a new poll
Q: IF Ariza knew this was how it was going to turn out, would he have accepted the Lakers initial MLE offer?
"This is not a game for boys. This is a game for men." - Phil Jackson
by Gils_Keloids on Jul 2, 2009 11:30 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Hmmm
I’d say yes. I think he tried to hold out for a better offer, and Mitch basically said, “Sorry, you’re replaceable,” and Ariza couldn’t do much after that.
I just can’t imagine why he’d take the same money from a worse team if he knew how this would turn out. The only reason is really if he’s pissed that the Lakers didn’t value his contributions to a championship enough to offer him more outright. He does have a temper, but I don’t think he’s that low. I think this was just botched negotiations from Lee.
I’d be embarrassed, if I were him. At least Posey had $$$ reasons for leaving.
by Snoopy2006 on Jul 2, 2009 11:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think after he turned down the MLE from Mitch, Mitch went ahead and got Artest. That’s when Ariza realized that he had to sign else where and so he went to Houston.
by intuitive on Jul 2, 2009 11:48 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Definitely not
I think hard feelings are forgotten when you have a choice between a championship team and a rebuilding one.
That said, hindsight is always 20/20.
by Ben R on Jul 3, 2009 12:35 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
This is one of my first attempts, cut me some slack on the quality of photoshopping, pls
"This is not a game for boys. This is a game for men." - Phil Jackson
by Gils_Keloids on Jul 3, 2009 12:25 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
pretty good..i think.
I was looking for something like this online.
by PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE on Jul 3, 2009 6:42 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
It's actually pretty bad, but thanks, I didn't exactly put a lot of time into it!
"This is not a game for boys. This is a game for men." - Phil Jackson
by Gils_Keloids on Jul 3, 2009 10:21 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Does anyone else feel this way?
Trevor has some “APPRECIATION” issues?
Don’t get me wrong here, because I love TA, but I get the feeling from his actions and his interviews that he’s a type of guy that needs a lot of validation. He likes proving others wrong. He’s always either not getting enough appreciation from a team or he’s not getting the respect he thinks he deserves.
Like when he left UCLA, he believed himself so strongly, but everyone told him he left the NBA too early. So he was drafted late to the Knicks. Larry Brown told him he was “delusional”. Trevor then gets traded to Orlando where he gets benched because he was told his 3-point shooting (or lack of) was not useful to the team and so he finally gets traded to the Lakers, proves everyone wrong, gets a championship, shows his abilities and he personally said he enjoyed beating the Magic because it was the team that traded him.
Of course, this is probably not a reflection of his character on how the re-signing talks have ended up, but all this David Lee “not feeling the love” talk is making me think of TA’s entire career and how he’s never been able to stay in one organization for longer than two years.
But damn it, I’m going to miss Trevor and all his hustle plays. He was really fun to watch. I’m going into some heavy TA withdrawal right now.
Control yourself
Take only what you need from it
by PeanutButterSpread on Jul 3, 2009 2:59 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Artest
this was a no brainer… anyone thinking otherwise is an idiot !!!!!!
by bigdippa on Jul 3, 2009 12:59 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
i’ve come to the conclusion that TA really loves his summer vacations!!!
by bigdippa on Jul 3, 2009 1:08 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Who wants to win more?
To say Ariza > Artest is ridiculous. It is quite obvious Artest wants to win more, Artest can handle being the top dog and can lead the Rockets to the 2nd round and compete against the Lakers.
Phil Jackson and Kobe Bryant CAN and DO make players better. Smush, Luke and Kwame once started for LA and we competed. Shannon was a ‘throwaway’ and look at his performance in LA. Ariza was dumped from NY and dumped from Orlando.
Sorry, Yao, but Ron Artest’s hidden value and knowledge brought you to the second round… not your size and skills.
by SimpleTruth on Jul 3, 2009 8:39 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
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