Stray Bullets 3/3
by wondahbap on Mar 3, 2010 3:31 PM PST
20 comments
- With Ron Artest's stellar defensive play lately, are there still questions about whether or not he's been a good fit? He's shooting well, he's defending great, and even dunking! The main thing anyone was worried about was him straying from the Triangle and freelancing. Personally, I don't think it's been an issue once this season, and I don't see it becoming one. Ron is a smart player. Danny Granger apparently only knows how to dribble with one hand, and not especially well. Ron exploited that to high hell last night. Steal after steal anytime Granger decided to try his left or hesitate the slightest.
- Adrien Wojnarowski tells it how it is regarding the LeBron number switch. He's right on point. He just may the the only mainstream journalist (not blogger) who voices his unfiltered opinion regardless of politics. It's so obvious, yet he's the only person I've read to say such about LeBron. It's all about the off court Star Wars. It's killing LeBron that Kobe is more popular. The NBA is a business.
- Just spare us the lame story of why, LeBron. Michael doesn't care. "Just do it." If you stay with Cleveland, you'll be the second player to have two numbers retired by the same organization. You know who will be the first.
- Without turning this into another tired Kobe v. LeBron debate, the anti- Kobe faction of the basketball world would see LeBron in an entirely different light if Kobe didn't exist. Some of the LeBron deification (and others) comes simply because he isn't Kobe. It's as simple as that sometimes. Tell me Bill Simmon's wouldn't devote half an article to LeBron's tactics if he and Kobe weren't in this "whose league is it?" battle?
- Staying on LeBron. On the heels of the LeBron "overtures" to Lakers story, comes a story of those around the league thinking LeBron should sign a 3-year deal. Hmmm. Imagine he did? I wonder what the Lakers' situation is then? You think Roland Lazenby is so crazy now? These stories are coincidental, to say the least. I'm just playing devil's advocate.
- How much leverage can the Player's Union make out of this 2010 Free Agency boom? The NBA has a lot to gain if certain player's like LeBron and D-Wade could play in NY and Chicago respectively. Add that to Kobe and the Lakers. The NBA might be the healthiest it's ever been if it's 3 biggest stars played in the 3 biggest markets at once.
- I'm really tired of stupid articles even mentioning another team besides Cleveland having interest in Big Z. How stupid do they think we are. There was never any doubt he's returning to the Cavs.
- As C.A. pointed out, Kobe's "slump" comes as he's taking fairly good shots. He isn't trying to regain his stroke pulling up from 20" out, or up-fake fade-aways. Those are shots that are maddening when he's slumping. Lately? He's missing gimme post ups, or having lay-ups rim out, or wide open 3's. I can live with those, because it keeps the offense in perspective. He wasn't his sharpest against Denver, nor Indy, and still was able to wreak havoc on those teams with the ball in his hands because he was forcing the defense to help on deep post position. When they did, he found open teammates...
- ...When he wasn't turning it over.
- One thing I hate that Kobe does, is leave his man and cheats in towards the paint, or lazily move around as his man goes from corner to corner.
- I know, I know...I'm sure the stats may say the Lakers are above average in opponents' PG P.E.R. or whatever stat someone made, but I can't help but feel it affects the rest of the team. There are other factors involved. Still, when Kobe's busting his butt on D every possession, everyone else is too. Brandon Rush had one basket in the 3rd. At point blank range. He had 6 wide open jumpers in the 1st half.
- I want the DoberMamba at the beginning of games.
- Dear Brandon Rush, please find a barbershop. Either grow your hair out, or cut it short. It's 2010, and your 1970's very mini 'fro just looks like your too cheap to get your hair cut. Even Roy Hibbert gets his hair cut now.
- I saw someone call Jordan Farmar "Ear Jordan" on Twitter last night. I found it absolutely hilarious, but wondered how I never heard something so easy to think up before last night? And why didn't I come up that one?
- Nothing says "We don't respect you!" like putting in Ammo in the 2nd Q. No wonder Kobe was letting Brandon Rush get some shots in. The Lakers only had to pay attention for one quarter to blow the game open.
- Fish has had two decent shooting games in a row. Save 'em for later Fish.
- I had to watch the Indiana Pacers feed last night (League Pass). Pacers' sideline reporter Stacy Paetz has a lot of hair.
- Doesn't Troy Murphy look like "Alice the Goon" from "Popeye" ?
- ...and Big Z looks like "Swee' Pea."
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Kobe likes being Polamalou or Ed Reed on the Court
He can get away with it much more now, Ron Artest is like a shutdown corner. Defense is how the West will be won.
by GRICE on Mar 3, 2010 3:45 PM PST reply actions
"You'll know who will be the first"
so true.
no. 8 for the 3 rings, 62 in 3 q’s, 81
no. 24 for the 4 straight 50 pt games, mvp, championship and finals mvp…and more championships as well.
Ron Artest definitely has been a good fit
though it is clear now what we sacrificed in Ariza…namely a little bit of transition game as well as finishing at the rim. Worth it though, if you ask me.
I’ve heard Ear Jordan before. It’s definitely been around for a little while…
I couldn’t agree with you more about Kobe. The sad part is he does the same kind of thing in the playoffs through the first couple rounds at least. The team really follows his example and I think his tendency to be lazy on defense when he disrespects someone or a team really rubs off. Luckily Ron is in his own world defensively and his focus can also rub off on the team. Remember at the end of the third quarter where there were like 4 Lakers diving on the floor to get a steal with 5 seconds left on the clock? I don’t think Kobe was even in the game during that stretch…
The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist.
Great freakin post
With all due respect you missed out on one thing about Artest that I feel is a must. Artest fitting in was not the biggest issue coming into the Lakers. It was the question of wether or not he would implode. I feel that it must be mentioned because so many writers and sports journalist said or were hoping…cough…cough..Brent Barry that he would self distruct.
Now on to Lebron. No disrespect to the Cavs and their fans but I will say this Kobe had to earn the right to even be mentioned in the same breath as MJ. Lebron hasn’t earned that yet in my eyes. Is he better than Kobe? Neither fan base will agree. But, in the name of business and popularity in my eyes the Cavs are up there with the early 2000’s Kings and Blazers in the sense that they were so hyped up by the media but didn’t end up accomplishing anything outside of the regular season. Will Lebron get a title? Maybe. I personally like him and think he eventually will do it. But, he or the Cavs have not earned the right to be feared because they haven’t accomplished anything significant in the post season. Until he does that then I will put them in the same group as I do the current Celtics and Spurs team in terms of accomplishment but I will never view Lebron or the Cavs as threats because regular season accomplishments are just that. You have to earn the right to be feared and that is just my opinion. As I said before MJ took the torch from Magic by winning a title now Lebron has to do the same.. He has to take it!
"If you want to find the dumbest guy in the room just find the first guy to tell you how smart he is." - JG
by PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE on Mar 3, 2010 5:40 PM PST reply actions 7 recs
I remember another truly dominant, physically gifted player.
He won the MVP award, and led his team to the finals. He was unstoppable in the open floor, threw down nasty dunks, and made everybody around him better… for the most part.
His name is Charles Barkley… now… he was never a media favorite like Lebron, but they’re in the same boat. Great players that have never won anything in the NBA apart from personal accolades.
Cement your greatness before declaring it yourself, especially if you declare it by tattooing “Chosen 1” across your hairy back.
Guess what guys, even Ammo has a ring.
CA poiinted out in the other thread
that Kobe basically did the same thing as Lebron in changing jerseys, minus the whole “honoring MJ” schpeel.
Well the “tribute” is exactly what I have a qualm with. I mean, how is it that Lebron just now decides that he wants to honor MJ? He obviously took this number with Michael Jordan in mind and he has now played 6 or 7 years with it. Furthermore, it’s one thing to say “well, I don’t want to wear it anymore. I’ve come to this league and now I appreciate how amazing he was, so I’m retiring his jersey in my mind”, but it’s a completely other thing to say “everyone needs to retire that number officially”. What…now that you’re done with it, no one else should ever get to wear it? Should you, KING JAMES, be the last bearer of this legendary NBA number? Give me a freakin’ break.
The whole transaction just wreaks of conceitedness and marketing, yet James is trying to pass it all off as a homage to an NBA great. 5 lbs of monkey crap in a 2 lb bag.
The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist.
by Justin N. on Mar 3, 2010 9:06 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
wreaks = reeks
grammar ftw
The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist.
great points
something similar that might happen is that Charles left the Sixers because that team refused to shell out more money to bring in the talent to help him win a title. Up until this year, when the Cavs decided to actually put an extra effort in bringing in the talent needed to win a ttile. It will all come down to wether or not he wins a title this year.
"If you want to find the dumbest guy in the room just find the first guy to tell you how smart he is." - JG
by PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE on Mar 4, 2010 8:06 AM PST up reply actions
Still, because of the effort that the Cavs had put into putting talent around him,
I dont see him leaving the Cavs for another team. He is on a championship caliber team. Why would you leave that team to force another team to do the same thing. I know they say he should play for a big market, but seriously, the media is all over him already. He has turned Cleveland into a large market. Could he get any bigger. I just dont see him leaving. Hes from Ohio also.
"I work my ass off every day in practice. How many other guys can say the same thing? Not many. I'm fighting against becoming soft. That's the worse thing you can say to a basketball player." - Dennis Rodman
that is where my guess would be which is that he is staying
I have nothing against Lebron and I really think he is a great teammate and aside from his talent he is a pretty stand up guy. I know he cares about money and popularity and there is nothing wrong with that but when it is all said and done his roots are not only with the Cavs but with Ohio as a whole. But you are right, why would he leave a contender to risk years of rebuilding somewhere else.
"If you want to find the dumbest guy in the room just find the first guy to tell you how smart he is." - JG
by PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE on Mar 4, 2010 8:24 AM PST up reply actions
PAGFL you are a stand up guy
I agree with almost all things you put up. I’m going to have to disagree with you here though.
I can’t stand Lebron. That’s all!
He needs to earn it first.
Thnx...It's all good... I don't ever expect people to agree with what I say..
Many…Many Laker fans dislike Lebron and there is nothing wrong with that. We are entitled to our own opinion. I can see how he might be disliked.
but he defenitely needs to earn the right to be considered in the same breath as Kobe.
"If you want to find the dumbest guy in the room just find the first guy to tell you how smart he is." - JG
by PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE on Mar 4, 2010 9:12 AM PST up reply actions
I think he just might leave....
Look at it like this…Take Lebron off Cleveland and they’re no longer a contender, Boston’s window is closing as we speak, The Hawks might not re sign Joe Johnson which makes them less scary, Orlando will be there but who knows how Vince is gonna hold up after this year? Every Other team in the East is unpredictable with none looking formidable i the years to come…He goes to NY with Bosh they are instant contenders and i dont see years of rebuilding for them…Not to mention he gets to play in an uptempo game which is perfect for him and Bosh should they pair up…Keep McGrady for the low Eddie House off the bench with Gallinari Chandler David Lee Al Harrington and even Eddy Curry whose only job would be to play D and rebound they would be up at the top of the East Standings
Kobe isnt good, he's just better than your favorite player
Re: Ron's Defense
Artest is the best on-ball defender in the league this season, holding opponents to 0.74 points per play. And if that sounds like some kind of made-up stat, then I would refer you to the knuckle-breakers working over in ESPN Stats and Analysis. (Even at this hour.)
I’m not sure how they calculate it, but it’s an impressive stat nonetheless.
"Better learn not to talk to me," Bryant said of Smith's jabbering. "You shake the tree, a leopard's gonna fall out."
my sources tell me
there has been a power struggle in the locker room and ammo is now in charge
YOU CAN PUT IT ON THE BOARD YES!
www.reverbnation.com/czheckproductions
Ron's Offense
I wonder if a lot of the bad press/rumors Artest got when he was coming to the Lakers (ballhog/disruptive/etc.) is affecting the way he plays on the offensive end though, mostly in regards to passing up open shots.
Other than that though, great article.
I would think that would affect him early in the season.
But as the season goes on and he gets more comfortable he sees that he doesn’t really have to score too much. I think he really just wants to win. I mean he signed for a fairly cheap contract and knows that he was brought in to play defense. So he doesn’t really feel as if he has to score.
Not only that but he started the season on the heavier side at about 270lbs, now hes at around 260 and wants to drop to 250. That has helped with his feet problems and hes able to move faster. I think he is barely getting into for and finally finding that defensive groove we want him in. His offense will also come with that.
" I'm a human, not a sandwich"
by true_lakerfan on Mar 4, 2010 3:27 PM PST up reply actions
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