West Coast Connection Forum
Lifestyle => Sports & Entertainment => Topic started by: Man On The Moon on July 02, 2009, 04:42:59 PM
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Real spit...
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PERFECT fit for the Lakers
finally, they got a guy with balls...maybe he'll teach Softy Gasol how to play hard
Celtics better get Rasheed
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:-\
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wooooooooooooooooooooooooow.
the Lakers just won themselves four more titles.
Kobe & Artest on LeBron = Bron Bron scoring less than 10 vs. the Lakers.
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If this is true, it sucks that Ariza isn't coming back. The Lakers got a good replacement, though.
:(
I wonder how the $$$ played out.
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i will now be the biggest Lakers fan ever
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If this is true, it sucks that Ariza isn't coming back. The Lakers got a good replacement, though.
:(
I wonder how the $$$ played out.
You calling me a liar?
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damn thats dope, should be interesting as hell
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we need some proof
this may be false
he may go to the Cavs
Free agency notebook: Artest, Ariza in LeBron-land?
By John Schuhmann and Art Garcia, NBA.com and David Aldridge, TNT analyst
Posted Jul 2 2009 4:44PM
The Cleveland Plain Dealer reported Wednesday that the Cavs are talking to both Ron Artest and Trevor Ariza. Cavs GM Danny Ferry is clearly ready to spend his entire mid-level exception on Artest, Ariza or possibly Rasheed Wallace to get his team over the hump.
Whether or not this tweet is from Artest -- "THANKS ALOT HOUSTON.:) I HAD ALOT OF FUN:)" -- his time with the Rockets could be coming to an end. The Cavaliers and Lakers have been mentioned as suitors, and at least one rival general manager believes Artest to Cleveland makes the most sense.
Ariza isn't a slam dunk to return to the Lakers and some think that Ariza is just testing the waters to drive up his price in Los Angeles.
The Cavs would also like to bring back Anderson Varejao, but if they don't, and they add a small forward, does LeBron James become their starting power forward? The idea of the MVP matching up with Kevin Garnett or Pau Gasol in the postseason is certainly intriguing.
-- John Schuhmann
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http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4303679
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If this is true, it sucks that Ariza isn't coming back. The Lakers got a good replacement, though.
:(
I wonder how the $$$ played out.
If this is true you should be the happiest sports fan in the world. Ariza is good but he is not in the same league as Artest.
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If this is true, it sucks that Ariza isn't coming back. The Lakers got a good replacement, though.
:(
I wonder how the $$$ played out.
You calling me a liar?
There just hasn't been any concrete proof, yet. It's defiantly legit news.
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If this is true, it sucks that Ariza isn't coming back. The Lakers got a good replacement, though.
:(
I wonder how the $$$ played out.
If this is true you should be the happiest sports fan in the world. Ariza is good but he is not in the same league as Artest.
I just really liked Ariza is all.
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If this is true, it sucks that Ariza isn't coming back. The Lakers got a good replacement, though.
:(
I wonder how the $$$ played out.
If this is true you should be the happiest sports fan in the world. Ariza is good but he is not in the same league as Artest.
LOL, that's what i am saying.
Laker fans seem upset to lose Trevor, but Artest is an elite defender & an All-Star caliber player.
Fisher
Kobe
Artest
Bynum
Pau
:o
better than the Celtics is they Sheed.
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This is 100% official and now I can say the Lakers will win several title's in a row now. The Lakers just added a amazing talent to say the least, now all you Artest haters that are Laker fans wil finally be able to realize how amazing this guy is, the rest of the NBA should just give up now. Artest, Gasol and Kobe on the same team, shit isnt even fair. Game over for the rest of the NBA.
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This would be huge for the Lakers. Funny, cus I was just telling myself that the Lakers needed to make a move. All the other top teams have been making moves and improving, EXCEPT the Lakers who actually got worse by losing Ariza. But Artest would more then makeup for Ariza.
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It is over for the rest of the NBA. Artest on the Lakers makes them literally unstopable.
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If this is true, it sucks that Ariza isn't coming back. The Lakers got a good replacement, though.
:(
I wonder how the $$$ played out.
You calling me a liar?
There just hasn't been any concrete proof, yet. It's defiantly legit news.
Rik knows everything....
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If this is true, it sucks that Ariza isn't coming back. The Lakers got a good replacement, though.
:(
I wonder how the $$$ played out.
If this is true you should be the happiest sports fan in the world. Ariza is good but he is not in the same league as Artest.
LOL, that's what i am saying.
Laker fans seem upset to lose Trevor, but Artest is an elite defender & an All-Star caliber player.
Fisher
Kobe
Artest
Bynum
Pau
:o
better than the Celtics is they Sheed.
I really hope the Spurs end up picking up Sheed. Word was they are going after him or McDyess. But...
Parker
Mason
Jefferson
Sheed
Duncan
vs
Fisher
Bryant
Artest
Pau
Bynum
looks like a pretty good Western Conference finals.
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Damn I was bummed about LA losing Ariza but GOD DAMN this is huge. As long as Artest can stay chill Lakers got this shit on lock.
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If this is true, it sucks that Ariza isn't coming back. The Lakers got a good replacement, though.
:(
I wonder how the $$$ played out.
You calling me a liar?
There just hasn't been any concrete proof, yet. It's defiantly legit news.
Rik knows everything....
You're Rik?!?!
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If this is true, it sucks that Ariza isn't coming back. The Lakers got a good replacement, though.
:(
I wonder how the $$$ played out.
You calling me a liar?
There just hasn't been any concrete proof, yet. It's defiantly legit news.
Rik knows everything....
You're Rik?!?!
That's right, little buddy...
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If this is true, it sucks that Ariza isn't coming back. The Lakers got a good replacement, though.
:(
I wonder how the $$$ played out.
You calling me a liar?
There just hasn't been any concrete proof, yet. It's defiantly legit news.
Rik knows everything....
You're Rik?!?!
That's right, little buddy...
Haha. Whatup, my man? What's with the user name?
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Artest's twitter...
Yo, I'm out to celebrate. Going to Jack Nicholson's house. Gonna bust his door down with an axe and say 'HERE'S RONNIEEEEE!!"
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wooooooooooooooooooooooooow.
the Lakers just won themselves four more titles.
Kobe & Artest on LeBron = Bron Bron scoring less than 10 vs. the Lakers.
LOL lets be real here. he's gettin atleast 15.
fuck ron artest haha.
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If this is true, it sucks that Ariza isn't coming back. The Lakers got a good replacement, though.
:(
I wonder how the $$$ played out.
You calling me a liar?
There just hasn't been any concrete proof, yet. It's defiantly legit news.
Rik knows everything....
You're Rik?!?!
That's right, little buddy...
Haha. Whatup, my man? What's with the user name?
Just chillin, man, duckin' the fuzz...
"Man On The Moon" is a Kid Cudi song...
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MLE for Ron Artest as the last big contract he can sign? Dude is crazy.
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hmmm i will miss Ariza, I really hope this works out.
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Crazy.I wonder how kobe and artest get along because they seemed to hate eachother ha ha
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Is it set 100% Ariza is gone? :'(
(I wonder what happens w/Odom now?)
Artest , Danm! I have my doubts about that dude.
I'm predicting Jackson will be having Rodman flashbacks...lol
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Is it set 100% Ariza is gone? :'(
(I wonder what happens w/Odom now?)
Artest , Danm! I have my doubts about that dude.
I'm predicting Jackson will be having Rodman flashbacks...lol
lol Maybe this will convince Phil to retire. I dunno tho, Phil was pretty successful with Rodman. And I dont see Artest as being the pain in the ass Rodman was.
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rodman was artest's idol so who knows how this plays out.
serves ariza right, i thought he said "money didn't matter" now he tried to play the fileld instead of sticking with what worked and now artest is a laker....wow.
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i wonder what will happen to all the Ron Artest Laker haters. shit is gunna be funny to see how this plays out.
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i wonder what will happen to all the Ron Artest Laker haters. shit is gunna be funny to see how this plays out.
what about the Laker Ron Artest haters? I wanna see NIK now build up Artest as this amazing player...since hs is a Laker now lol
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wow this is fucking NUTS!!! Lakers are gona be unstoppable now!!
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Ron on Twitter:
Real_Ron_ArtestYo, I'm out to celebrate. Going to Jack Nicholson's house. Gonna bust his door down with an axe and say 'HERE'S RONNIEEEEE!!"
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Crazy.I wonder how kobe and artest get along because they seemed to hate eachother ha ha
lol I think they have mutual respect just both really intense competitors. I was just telling my friend that LA has another title as long as Artest doesn't try to attack Kobe again
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I can smell the Championship coming. To bad i dont got enough fingers for all the rings me and Kobe finna win. Niggas hating on me but Kobe my nigga and Odom is down to take a bullet for a nigga, real talk
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its true http://www.nba.com/2009/news/features/david_aldridge/07/02/artest.lakers/index.html
i guess its time to become a ron artest fan
fuckin sucks if ariza is really gone
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Ariza might end up in Toronto, if they dont sign David Lee
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I can smell the Championship coming. To bad i dont got enough fingers for all the rings me and Kobe finna win. Niggas hating on me but Kobe my nigga and Odom is down to take a bullet for a nigga, real talk
yo Ron I might end up being a Lakers fan now
"I'm gonna design my own watch with the big hand always set to "Keepin' it real." That's what I like to call Artest time, 24/7. Ya dig?"
- Ron Artest
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Wow.... I'm speechless. I hate to see Ariza go but there is no way you can pass up on Ron Artest who's a proven outstanding defender and scorer. Ariza has only had 1 real stand-out year. Plus our defense was blowing way too many big leads and Ron should help greatly in that department.
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c-bynum
pf-gasol
sf-artest
sg-kobe
pg- fisher
c-gasol
pf-odom
sf-artest
sg-kobe
pg- fisher
c-gasol
pf-artest
sf-kobe
sg-brown
pg-fisher
c-bynum
-pf odom
-sf-artest
-sg- kobe
-pg- brown
we need a solid back up for kobe....that's what i was hoping ariza would become.
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so next year is everyone gonna say kobe cant win a title without artest lol..
always been a artest fan, hopfully he teaches Gasol to man up
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Ron on Twitter:
Real_Ron_ArtestYo, I'm out to celebrate. Going to Jack Nicholson's house. Gonna bust his door down with an axe and say 'HERE'S RONNIEEEEE!!"
thats not the real ron
http://twitter.com/96TruwarierQB - the real ron artest myspace
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:loco: :stupid:....Artest is crazy....he better not fuck up & ruined our chances to re-peat.
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lol @ artest and kobe together, should be dope
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I hope artest gets fed up with kobe one day and knocks him out in the dressing room
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Kobe & Artest is already looking good. 8) 8) 8)
THANK YOU ARIZA.
And good luck with your career.
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Mitch Kupchak Statement on Ron Artest
Mike TrudellMike Trudell
Lakers Reporter July 3, 2009
Ron Artest
The following is a statement released on Thursday evening from Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak:
"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."
The free agency moratorium period started on July 1, when free agents were allowed to begin speaking with NBA teams.
The period concludes on July 7, which sets July 8 as the date for the potential and official agreement between the Lakers and Artest.
lakers.com
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didn't know what to think at first
now I'm thinkin this upcoming season is gonna be exciting with all the players moving around
Ariza was dope and a major part in the playoffs, but Artest makes it more interesting for me
something about the exact same Laker team next year wasn't too exciting, this shakes it up a bit
I would assume Kobe and Phil were approached with this idea, it's not like the Lakers would pull this shit out of nowhere
as far as Ariza is concerned, I kind of understand his point of being insulted by the MLE
if you break it down he'd be making less than worthless Vujacic and the less talented Walton
it actually is a slap in the face... I bet anything he said to himself "I won't be making more than Sasha?! fuck that"
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fuckin sux to see Ariza bounce like that, he was a favorite as a Laker... but Artest will be more than fit to replace him ;D
I still think dude's insane, though LOL
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Dude is crazy.
Just starting to realize this? LOL
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Crazy.I wonder how kobe and artest get along because they seemed to hate eachother ha ha
not even close....Artest and Kobe are close friends and all their battles remain on the court.
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i wonder what will happen to all the Ron Artest Laker haters. shit is gunna be funny to see how this plays out.
what about the Laker Ron Artest haters? I wanna see NIK now build up Artest as this amazing player...since hs is a Laker now lol
I never talked shit about Artest as a player, I always knew he was a great defender....I just hope he doesnt try doing too much on offense, cuz that's where his game suffers. Either way, Artest has always been an all-star and premier defender in my eyes....just a psychopath, but a very skilled one at that.
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didn't know what to think at first
now I'm thinkin this upcoming season is gonna be exciting with all the players moving around
Ariza was dope and a major part in the playoffs, but Artest makes it more interesting for me
something about the exact same Laker team next year wasn't too exciting, this shakes it up a bit
I would assume Kobe and Phil were approached with this idea, it's not like the Lakers would pull this shit out of nowhere
as far as Ariza is concerned, I kind of understand his point of being insulted by the MLE
if you break it down he'd be making less than worthless Vujacic and the less talented Walton
it actually is a slap in the face... I bet anything he said to himself "I won't be making more than Sasha?! fuck that"
what are you talking about? the MLE=5.6 mil....Sasha makes 3 mil. LOL
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Artest going to Lakers (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=Arq6Ajfq6xfv9KYoZb2RIjg5nYcB?slug=ap-lakers-artest&prov=ap&type=lgns)
By CHRIS DUNCAN, AP Sports Writer 8 hours, 22 minutes ago
HOUSTON (AP)—Ron Artest(notes) is joining Kobe Bryant(notes) and the Los Angeles Lakers.
“I am very excited to finally be going to L.A.,” Artest said in a statement issued by his agent Thursday night. “For years now, the Lakers have expressed interest in having me play for them, but we could never get the stars to align. I’m finally a Laker and I can’t wait to get on the court with Kobe, Pau (Gasol) and the rest of the team, and play for Phil (Jackson). The Lakers really made me feel wanted.”
David Bauman, Artest’s agent, said the final details are still being worked out, but could be finished as early as Thursday night.
“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,” Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak said in a statement Thursday night.
ESPN.com reported that Artest had agreed to a three-year deal worth $18 million. Bauman would not confirm those numbers, saying the deal was still being negotiated.
“We’re not quite there yet,” Bauman said. “We’re still working on it.”
Artest, who played for the Houston Rockets last season, decided to join the Lakers on Thursday.
“I made my decision after I had lunch today with Dr. Buss, and I realized what a great organization I’m joining. I’m very, very excited to be a Laker,” Artest said. “I look forward to helping the Lakers defend their championship, and it will be great to finally not get booed in the Staples Center.”
The 6-foot-7 forward earned $7.4 million in his only season with Houston, averaging 17.1 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.3 assists. The 2004 Defensive Player of the Year was also a rugged 1-on-1 defender, often assigned to guard the opponent’s most dynamic scorer.
Bauman said Artest was looking for a championship-caliber team when he became an unrestricted free agent on Wednesday.
“He wants to win a ring,” Bauman said. “He’s a winner and a hard worker and he went looking for a team with whom he could find some justification for what he does. He plays his best when he’s in that kind of an environment.”
Earlier Thursday, Bauman said Artest was being courted by several teams that made the playoffs last season and received text messages from unspecified “superstars” who were trying to lure him to their cities. Bauman would not say if Bryant was one of those players, but acknowledged on Thursday night that their friendship was a factor in Artest’s decision.
“The whole situation was extremely appealing to Ron,” Bauman said.
The two had a feisty individual battle in the second round of the playoffs, as the undermanned Rockets pushed Bryant and the Lakers to seven games. Artest and Bryant often mouthed off at one another, and Artest was ejected from one game for confronting a referee and claiming that Bryant elbowed him in the neck.
Artest’s decision is another tough blow to the Rockets, who acquired Artest in a trade with Sacramento last summer. The Rockets envisioned Artest as the final piece to a “Big Three” with Yao Ming(notes) and Tracy McGrady(notes), but those two All-Stars are now dealing with long-term injuries.
He already seemed resigned to losing Artest, flying to Las Vegas earlier in the day to meet with Lakers forward Trevor Ariza(notes). The Rockets and Ariza later agreed on a multiyear deal, 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.
The 6-8 Ariza averaged 8.9 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.8 assists for the Lakers last season and will fit into Artest’s role in Houston’s starting lineup.
Houston already knows it will be missing McGrady for the bulk of next season as he recovers from microfracture surgery on his left knee.
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.
Artest was on his best behavior in Houston last season, but he’ll always be remembered as the central figure in the 2004 brawl with Detroit fans at The Palace of Auburn Hills when he played for the Indiana Pacers. Artest was suspended for 73 games, the NBA’s harshest punishment for a fight.
Early in the 2005-06 season, Artest demanded a trade from Indiana, angering his teammates. He was dealt to Sacramento in January 2006 and meshed well with coach Rick Adelman, who now coaches the Rockets.
Two years later, Artest left the Kings in a bitter dispute with the team’s ownership.
AP Sports Writer Beth Harris in Los Angeles contributed to this report.
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I hope artest gets fed up with kobe one day and knocks him out in the dressing room
your like AG, you come into basketball threads and look like dumbasses. u two know nothing of the sport.
hate to see ariza go, hopefully he doesnt become a threat on another team which is doubtful though
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Yes because artest is known for how calm and collective of a player he is who never had an attitude problem and never ever fights with people
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Yes because artest is known for how calm and collective of a player he is who never had an attitude problem and never ever fights with people
lol, ron artest is dumb no doubt about that and his self control is in question, but hes grown up and im sure hes smarter than to just knock a teammate out, if that were to happen he would get black balled and im sure he knows of that. if not somebodys reminding him everyday
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I hope artest gets fed up with kobe one day and knocks him out in the dressing room
hate to see ariza go, hopefully he doesnt become a threat on another team which is doubtful though
why is that doubtful?
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Trevor Ariza will regret the day that his agent played tough with the NBA champs.
Kobe Bryant(notes) always admired that Ron Artest(notes) never acted like he wanted an autograph when duty demanded that he defend him.
He loved that Artest was combustible and crazy and always left people wondering: Is this the moment when Ron-Ron loses his mind again, when all hell breaks loose?
Deep down, Bryant wanted Artest on his side. Artest gives a thirtysomething Kobe what Dennis Rodman gave a thirtysomething Michael Jordan: A belligerent, tough guy bearing the burden of protecting the superstar’s back.
And as far back as the Western Conference playoffs, the Lakers believed Artest wanted to trade Houston for Hollywood, that the Rockets’ decaying cornerstone of Yao Ming(notes) and Tracy McGrady(notes) turned that team into a temporary rehab assignment.
“If they couldn’t get Trevor [Ariza] cheap,” said a source with knowledge of the Lakers’ free-agent plans, “they had Ron in their back pocket.”
Change is good for a defending champion. When the rest of the NBA’s elite – Cleveland, Orlando and Boston are getting better – the champion can’t just stand pat. As an executive and a player chasing repeat titles, Detroit’s Joe Dumars says, “I like to make one significant change in that second year.”
This gives the Lakers something to incorporate, to work through, across a long training camp and regular season. This way, they aren’t tempted to just coast until the playoffs. This changes the dynamic for everyone, and give Artest this: Around him, there’s never complacency.
Bryant never campaigned for Artest over Ariza, his loyalty with the hot-shooting kid who helped him win a championship without Shaquille O’Neal(notes). In the long run, the Lakers were wiser to keep the young Ariza to transition into a post-Kobe stardom. Yet, general manager Mitch Kupchak barely blinked when Ariza’s agent, David Lee, started talking like a tough guy, parading his client on what one rival GM called “a leverage tour.”
The Lakers don’t believe he’ll leave, Lee kept barking. Surprise, surprise: Lee didn’t think the Lakers would tell him to get lost, sign Artest and leave Ariza to take the five-year, $33 million deal in Houston he could’ve had in L.A.
“I told Mitch that it was never about the money; it was about respect,” Lee told NBA.com.
Well, take your respect and pack your client’s bags for post-Yao lottery land in Houston. Respect? Yes, there are American soldiers and missionaries in faraway lands cheering for David Lee and this noble stand for the neglected and disenfranchised everywhere. It is about respect, and God knows a $33 million offer for Ariza’s eight points and four rebounds a game rates a disgraceful act.
No, this wasn’t about the money, nor his client’s needs. This was a failed power play, an embarrassment of the highest order. Looking back, Ariza will rue the day. He’s a good player, but he’ll never be a star elsewhere. He’ll just be another player on another team.
“He was way too emotional about this,” said a league executive who had talked to Lee in recent days.
Yet, you can be a star without being a star with the Lakers. When L.A. is winning championships, the role players become commodities. They get endorsements. They get television careers. Ask Rick Fox. Or Derek Fisher(notes). Ariza was an L.A. kid living a dream, 24 years old, a gifted, young talent on the defending champion, and his agent’s bluff backfired.
Now, Artest trades places with Ariza, and the Lakers get a dimension they haven’t had in a long, long time. Perhaps three or four years ago, Artest couldn’t have handled living and playing in L.A. He gives the Lakers sheer nastiness, and as an executive with one of his past teams said Thursday night, “Ronnie will show everyone that he can win. I think he’s matured, and overall, he’ll be on his best behavior. Phil [Jackson] has been through this before with Rodman. He’ll handle this.”
Ultimately, it wasn’t Jackson who made it work for two titles with Rodman in Chicago, but Jordan. The locker room is policed by the superstar, never the coach. Artest is the right player, right time for Bryant. As Kobe hits his 30s, he can’t be chasing the best player on defense every night. Now, Artest gets the job. What’s more, Kobe gets a maniac who will want to please him, get his approval. Anything is possible with Ron-Ron running roughshod in Los Angeles.
“I hope it’s chaos,” a Western Conference GM texted Thursday night.
And maybe, in some ways, that won’t be the worst thing in the world for the Lakers. Chaos? That’s letting your agent’s agenda and big mouth get your butt shipped from the Los Angeles Lakers for lottery land in Houston. Kobe Bryant had been willing to take back his whole team, but Ariza made the mistake of giving the Lakers what they always wanted, what they always believed was available to them: the combustible and crazy Ron Artest.
Kobe Bryant gets his Rodman now, and yes, this is how all hell breaks loose in Hollywood.
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^yea...basically, Ariza fucked up. if he woulda committed to signing with us from the get go and made it clear that he wanted to stay, he coulda gotten the same money from us that he got from Houston....stupid shit. our gain.
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I love Ariza as a player but goddamn hes stupid. Did he really think we'd pick him over a proven Artest? Wake up.
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Ariza was a key part of the lakers championship.His timely threes and those key steals against Denver
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I love Ariza as a player but goddamn hes stupid. Did he really think we'd pick him over a proven Artest? Wake up.
holy shit, muthafucka....ur not scared of the dub anymore. congrats.
come hit a bleez in celebration of this acquisition, bitchelade
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Ariza was a key part of the lakers championship.His timely threes and those key steals against Denver
Real shit...and Artest will be a key part in the next few ships. 8)
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Sasha makes 3 mil
he makes 5... I thought it was 6
3 years 15 million
still though.... Sasha gets 5 and Ariza gets 5.6.... and Walton is getting 6!
it's childish stuff but these guys think this way
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Ariza definiately had key moments, but if our defense was better, we wouldn't have been in those sticky situations to begin with. With Kobe & Ron defending along with 2 7 footers and 1 near 7 footer, our defense just improved greatly.
Plus, Ariza won't be seeing open 3's in Houston....they don't have anybody worth double-teaming.
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Sasha makes 3 mil
he makes 5... I thought it was 6
3 years 15 million
still though.... Sasha gets 5 and Ariza gets 5.6.... and Walton is getting 6!
it's childish stuff but these guys think this way
Yeah Sasha gets 5 mil a year. Like you said, players SHOULDN'T think that way, but these are young dudes who haven't even hit their prime yet.
It's a shame that the mentality kicked Ariza in the ass and now he's stuck with Houston.
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I'd rather have Ariza. Dude was selfless, willing to learn, always ready, a clutch defender, and just a likeable guy. His agent ruined shit cuz I know Trevor would much rather be in L.A. then Houston (shit he signed with them for the exact same amount). Artest is obviously the better one-on-one defender but he's also a ball stopper and a ticking time bomb. I have a bad feeling about this.
Ariza and Gasol were two of my favorite players when they were in Orlando and Memphis respectively. It was a dream come true having both of them on my team.
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What I don't understand is why ariza went to Houston when the cavs wanted him
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What I don't understand is why ariza went to Houston when the cavs wanted him
he probably wanted 2 stay out west
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^^ no one wants to play with lebron 8)
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^^ no one wants to play with lebron 8)
That's actually partially true. No free agent is giving the Cavs the time of day because LeBron has (and won't) give any verbal commitment that he plans on staying with Cleveland. They already got dicked over by the three free agents they were chasing... Ariza and Artest already signed to different teams, Sheed refused to even visit Cleveland.
It's actually a smart move on LeBron's part since we all know he's worried about saying all the right things, so the media won't call him as a dirty rat like Boozer and Brand... but at the same time, it's also pretty stupid if he ever truly had any real intentions of winning a ring in Cleveland.
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Rockets desire enough for Ariza
The Rockets offered Trevor Ariza the one thing the Lakers could not.
They did not offer a greater salary than the Lakers or Cavaliers and actually came in with an offer almost $9 million less than the Toronto Raptors. They certainly cannot claim the immediate chance to chase another title that would be come with a return to Los Angeles or jump to Cleveland.
The Rockets could, however, offer the one thing he needed most. They really, really needed him.
“I’m not a greedy person and the Lakers know I’m not a greedy person,” Ariza said. “You can see it in the way I play. I just want to play for a team that wants me, the team that gives me the chance to improve my game.
“I’m excited about it because I’m getting an opportunity to play. They were the team that showed the most interest in me, and that was all I wanted.”
With Ariza’s decision to accept the five-year deal worth roughly $33 million, the Rockets and Lakers effectively swapped free agents, with Ron Artest going to Los Angeles and Ariza going from triumph with the Lakers to opportunity with the Rockets.
“I’m a champion,” he said. “And I’m a Houston Rocket.”
David Lee irritates the fuck out of me. Shit is just ridiculous.,