We let Ariza go because we prefered Artest....

[Now_Im_Not_Banned]

It wasnt about the money at all....I think we coulda kept Ariza, but we realized that we could get Artest for the same amount:


Source: Rockets agree on multiyear deal with Ariza

By CHRIS DUNCAN, AP Sports Writer 11 hours, 59 minutes ago

HOUSTON (AP)—The Houston Rockets have reached a multiyear deal with free agent Trevor Ariza(notes), a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press on Thursday night.

The person, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because NBA rules prohibit announcing free-agent deals until next week, said the Rockets offered Ariza the full mid-level exception for the first year, about $5.6 million.

Ariza is coming to Houston just as Ron Artest decided to leave and play for the Los Angeles Lakers. Ariza is likely to take Artest’s spot in the Rockets’ starting lineup.

The 6-foot-8 Ariza averaged 8.9 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.8 assists for the Lakers last season, which ended with the NBA championship.

The 24-year-old Ariza earned $3.1 million last season and he boosted his value during the playoffs, when he averaged 11.3 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists.

Ariza was acquired by the Lakers in a trade from Orlando in November 2007. He just completed his fifth NBA season after being drafted by the New York Knicks with the 43rd overall pick in 2004.

Ariza said after the Lakers’ championship run that he was hoping to stay there. But his agent, David Lee(notes), told KRIV-TV in Houston that Ariza got the impression that the Lakers didn’t want him anymore.

“It was never about the money,” Lee said. “It was about being at a place where he felt wanted and appreciated.”

Rockets general manager Daryl Morey did not immediately return a phone message on Thursday night.

He flew to Las Vegas on Thursday to meet with Ariza, a sign that he was already expecting Artest to leave.

The Rockets will need Ariza’s versatility and perimeter shooting early next season, because they know they’ll be missing Tracy McGrady for the bulk of next season. The seven-time All-Star is recovering from microfracture surgery on his left knee and could be out until February.

The Rockets are also awaiting a definitive prognosis on Yao, who sustained a hairline fracture in his left foot in the playoffs. Morey made an aggressive pitch to free agent center Marcin Gortat(notes) shortly after the free agency period began on Wednesday.

[Portugoal]

"we"? lol

[Now_Im_Not_Banned]

"we"? lol

we=Lakers....do you watch sports? LOL

[Portugoal]

"we"? lol

we=Lakers....do you watch sports? LOL

To say 'we' when you're only a fan is sad.

[OG Hack Wilson]

the Lakers basically said to Ariza "hey, go find a deal out there and we'll see if we can match it.  But remember, we got this ARtest guy who WANTS to be in LA"

and Ariza, being a fucking fool, went to Houston LOL



i hate the Lakers but this was a great move for them...assuming Artest keeps himself in check ofcourse

[7even]

^Seriously though, don't those niggas have agents or someone a bit smarter than them to tell them how to handle that shit? I can't believe they are both going for the crappy MLE when it's typical that FAs get heavily overpaid in the NBA (see Lewis, Hedo, Hughes, etc) - and on top of that, Ariza goes to a whack ass team, which is the same team Artest comes from so in conclusion, they could have pushed for a sign-and-trade, while ending up with the same teams just with a lot more money.

How come people in such positions can even do dumb shit like this? Don't they have people looking out for them?

[OG Hack Wilson]

if yao ming can come back in the last 1/4 of next year (last 20 games) and that team makes he playoffs..they'll be dangerous

unless McInjury gets hurt again LOL

[Now_Im_Not_Banned]

"we"? lol

we=Lakers....do you watch sports? LOL

To say 'we' when you're only a fan is sad.

that's about the dumbest sports related comment ive heard in my life

[Now_Im_Not_Banned]

^Seriously though, don't those niggas have agents or someone a bit smarter than them to tell them how to handle that shit? I can't believe they are both going for the crappy MLE when it's typical that FAs get heavily overpaid in the NBA (see Lewis, Hedo, Hughes, etc) - and on top of that, Ariza goes to a whack ass team, which is the same team Artest comes from so in conclusion, they could have pushed for a sign-and-trade, while ending up with the same teams just with a lot more money.

How come people in such positions can even do dumb shit like this? Don't they have people looking out for them?

Artest is just crazy, he wants to be in LA and play for the Lakers, even if it means giving up millions....but Ariza is who I really dont get....he can easily be making 8-10 mill with another team...maybe even more

[OG Hack Wilson]

^Seriously though, don't those niggas have agents or someone a bit smarter than them to tell them how to handle that shit? I can't believe they are both going for the crappy MLE when it's typical that FAs get heavily overpaid in the NBA (see Lewis, Hedo, Hughes, etc) - and on top of that, Ariza goes to a whack ass team, which is the same team Artest comes from so in conclusion, they could have pushed for a sign-and-trade, while ending up with the same teams just with a lot more money.

How come people in such positions can even do dumb shit like this? Don't they have people looking out for them?

Artest is just crazy, he wants to be in LA and play for the Lakers, even if it means giving up millions....but Ariza is who I really dont get....he can easily be making 8-10 mill with another team...maybe even more

im kinda glad he stayed away from cleveland LOL

[thisoneguy360]

"we"? lol

we=Lakers....do you watch sports? LOL

To say 'we' when you're only a fan is sad.

A lot of people say "we" around here, I thought it was fairly common.

[Now_Im_Not_Banned]

"we"? lol

we=Lakers....do you watch sports? LOL

To say 'we' when you're only a fan is sad.

A lot of people say "we" around here, I thought it was fairly common.

LOL....I dunno any sport fan that doesnt refer to their home team as "we"...dude's high off of ignorance.

[S P I C E]

I refer to all my favorite teams by we

[Javier]

If you're a fan, you're showing support.  How does one show support?  Watching a game, buying team gear, buying tickets, etc.  All of these things help the team make money.  Without the fan, no organization exists.  It's normal to say "we". 

[Antonio]

I refer to all my favorite teams by we