Artest to the Lakers! or Artest to the Lakers?

by Fj-3 on Jul 3, 2009 6:49 AM PDT

Ron Artest is now a Laker.

The story of the NBA now, according to ESPN (go argue with them), is that Shaq’s the past, Kobe’s the present top dog, and LeBron’s the next big thing. Clearly, Artest chose the NOW. Or maybe, he just chose Los Angeles over Cleveland. After all those, It’s the Lakers, and it’s all about championships.

I’m happy, of course.

But it complicates some things, namely, Lamar Odom and Trevor Ariza. Ariza is reportedly gone and leaving for Houston, which makes it look like a trade between him and Artest– but it’s not. It’s not also entirely an accident, though.

With the lineup that the Lakers have before Artest, they are still good enough to win championship. Artest’s arrival pushes a guarantee, especially now that the Cleveland Cavaliers have added Shaquille O’neal and the Orlando Magic added Vince Carter. And his signing with the Lakers leaves Cleveland (his other option) longing for another piece. So, sorry, Cleveland, Orlando, even Boston (courting Sheed, eh?), and the NBA: the best just got better.

I feel good about this, but rethinking, I’m not sure Artest over Ariza is a better choice. Acquiring Artest virtually means allowing a similar defensive player and offensive contributor in Ariza to go, which he did and almost deliberately to the same team that Artest left. I know the Lakers are the NOW, but as a fan, I’m looking for them to build a dynasty. Ariza is young, he has a potential to be a star, and he only looks to get better. Won’t a dynasty be better served by a young energy guy like him staying?

Probably, but I hope things go well for the Lakers anyway. The Lakers will be monsters next season (73 win season, anyone?), Artest is in his prime (29) and is of course a better player than Ariza. But Ariza can and will improve. Man… I hope Artest is still good for a number of years to fortify this dynasty I’m anticipating. I just hope that Artest won’t be carcinogenic to the Laker locker room. He said he’s happy to be a Laker. I hope so. No problems between him and Kobe, especially, so that it manifests into an even better team. Winning solves a lot of problems, and winning is no problem to L.A. I don’t know if Odom would stay, but the salary of Artest stays at a mid-level exception (I do think it’s fair to give him a better contract, but I hope it doesn’t shoo away Odom). I know, I’m consoling myself, but after all, I’m not sure if Ariza would even surpass Artest as a player.

I guess you have to go to the now and the certainty.

Like Artest did.

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you think

Ron-Ron can co-exist with Kobe? Ron-Ron says they are friends, but i really don’t feel like they are. That’s like saying Bruce Bowen and Ray Allen are friends outside the NBA. Though the Artest/Bryant relationship isn’t as bad as Bowen/Allen but remember Ron is crazy! He wanted to hit Kobe in the face! What happens when Kobe gets another elbow at him in practice? What happens when Kobe doesn’t pass the ball enough? What happens when Ron-Ron feels like he is being disrespected by his team mates? (remember ron-ron is a. crazy b. extremely sensitive)

I personally would rather have Ariza than Artest simply because he is younger, longer, and not crazy! I don’t think it will work out. Kobe isn’t KG. I don’t think he can control Ron-Ron (not like anyone can though) Though for this to be remotely successful the Zen Master has to be back, and i don’t see that. But what do i know??

by shadowchicken on Jul 3, 2009 12:27 PM PDT reply actions

People are forgetting one thing...

… no matter how all of us would want Ariza to stay, ARIZA WOULD NOT FUCKING STAY. Not by a motherfucking long shot.

Let’s just all be thankful Ronron lowered his payday to play for LA which would also allow us to have more money to sign Lamar.

Ron was able to play a whole year without any issues. I think this is the year that Artest would prove something, prove that he’s a winner, instead of a crazy b that almost everyone thinks of him.

Plus, through the years, Phil has kept everyone’s ego in check. Michael, Dennis, Shaq, Kobe.. I don’t know how Artest can be different.

by Bassman500 on Jul 3, 2009 10:34 PM PDT up reply actions

plus..

While Trevor is younger, Ronron basically gives us another versatile player. Ronron can guard the 2, 3 and 4 spots, even the 5 if need.

On offense, he can play the 3, 4 if they go small. He can post up, shoot threes (39% from 3s, Ariza is 31% last season) and he’s a very underrated passer.

Relax people, if there’s one thing the Lakers got here, it’s an upgrade.

by Bassman500 on Jul 3, 2009 10:37 PM PDT up reply actions

I'm thankful

Maybe you’re right, maybe Ariza is seeking greener pastures after acquiring a ring. If that’s the case, I truly am thankful that Artest is a Laker for basically a bargain.

by Fj-3 on Jul 4, 2009 6:26 AM PDT up reply actions

I don't think that

I neither condone nor condemn the move. But I do hope they do. It’s true, we are in between an unbeatable lakers or a botched dynasty. Maybe PJ can turn Ron into something nicer, and that Ron will mesh with the team if only because of the championship. ChampionshipS, that is.

by Fj-3 on Jul 4, 2009 6:22 AM PDT up reply actions