I see a back to back championship with the Artest trade assuming he keeps his word during his brief appearance in sportscenter.

ESPN Video: Watch Sports Videos and Highlights Online - ESPN

I think Jackson and Kobe are more than capable of keeping him in check. Trevor was a loss but I'm still psyched of having Artest over no matter how many people think of him as a nutjob.

about Trevor. I guess it's all about the money.......

__________________
"What you hear in a great jazz band is the sound of democracy. “The jazz band works best when participation is shaped by intelligent communication.”
Harmony happens whenever different parts get to form a whole by means of congruity, concord, symetry, consistency, conformity, correspondence, agreement, accord, unity, consonance…….

It's more a case of a player (Trevor) getting screwed by his agent (David Lee). Ariza went to Westchester High, played at UCLA, but has now lost the privilege of playing in front of his hometown as well as with the team that made him a star. His agent used the media to play hard ball with the Lakers, posturing in the press that Ariza was an $8-9M per year, a level at which he is definitely not yet worthy of commanding. So far in his career, Trevor has had 1 decent season (but nothing to write home about), punctuated by a very good post-season.

8 PPG and 4 RPG isn't going to get you a big contract, especially in today's economy. And Ariza is somewhat overhyped as a defensive player. Nobody is better at anticipating and cutting off a passing lane than Ariza, but his heads-up D is not all that great, as witnessed by some big game performances by Carmelo and Terkoglu while guarded by Ariza during the playoffs.

In the overall scheme of things, Artest is a way better player than Ariza at this point on both ends of the floor.

And evidently, Ariza's agent, Lee, was blind to the fact that Ron Artest wanted to be a Laker. Artest has a home in L.A., he showed up to all of the Laker home games during the Finals, and he's stated on numerous occasion that he would give up his left nut to play for the Lakers. Lee decided to take a gamble, but unfortunately, he was playing against a better gambler in Jerry Buss, who had a hole card in Ron Artest.

Ariza ended up signing with the Rockets for the same money that he would have gotten from the Lakers, but for 5 years instead of the 3 year deal that the Lakers were offering. He's going to a team that won't have Yao or Artest and possibly not Tracy McGrady who is doing his best to be the second coming of Grant Hill. He's now going to be forced to create his own shot, something that he didn't have to do playing in Jackson's triangle offense. If I were Ariza, I would have taken the Laker deal.

But I'm glad he didn't. IMHO, Artest on the Lakers negates the Shaq to Cleveland deal, it negates the Richard Jefferson deal which gave the Spurs four NBA All-Stars, and it gives the Lakers the absolute best defensive lock down player in the league.

As a big-time Laker fan and Bruin alum, I hate to see Ariza go. But if Jackson can get Artest to fit into the offense (defense won't be a problem), I predict a 70 win season and Back 2 Back O'Briens for the Lakers - they'll be that good.

BTW, Vince Carter to any team is never a good trade.

Phil and Kobe can and will keep Ron in check. This is Kobe's team. Ron knows that, he comes to L.A because he always wanted to be a Laker and since now L.A has all the pieces to win more tittles Ron wants to be part of it. As for David Lee, failed. Kobe made Ariza a better play, without Kobe he is just another nba player who has no future. But the Lakers really need Lamar back. I think if Artest plays his role in L.A there is nothing to worry about, Jordan and Phil could keep Denis Rodman in check, i dont see why Kobe and Phil can't with Artest. I think L.A front office is getting ready for the Nastier, Stronger East Coast next season and Artest is a key in that. Imagine KG is healthy, Shaq to CLE and ORL with Vince Carter. Those 3 are biggest threats preventing Lakers from repeating. West Coast is getting weaker and weaker. Aging Spurs, lifeless Houston, inexperience NO, POR all other teams are craps. The only reason to getting of Ariza is because of his agent. And the only reason they went with Artest is the threats of East Coasts.

__________________
2002 X5 3.0 Siena Red
Premium, Cold Weather, Rear Climate Packages, 19" Wheels
Aluminum Running Boards, Clear Tail Lights, Clear Side Markers
Titanium Kidney Grills, Titanium Trunk Lid, Xenon Headlights
4.6is X5 exhausts, 35% Tint, Aluminum Pedals
2005 530I Mystic Blue
Premium Package, Sport Package, Xenon Headlights
18" Sport Wheels, 35% Tint all around
Mods to come: M-Tech Front Bumper, M5 Side Skirts, M5 Rear Bumper
Quad Exhausts, Style 172 19" Wheels

Ariza is an overrated role player anyways, Lakes made out with another steal in getting Artest for the full MLE.... More importantly, it keeps Artest away from their competition, and I think he would have pushed the Cavs over the top had they had gotten him.

Ariza had a great playoff run, but I think he is just this years James Posey. Solid pickup for Houston, but a HUGE upgrade for LA.

What I am wondering about is where Marion will sign... I think Toronto may be the only team willing to offer him more than the MLE, and I think the Cavs should make a huge push to pick him up if at all possible. He seems to have been forgotten about, but the last time he was with a good team he was a solid contributor and an all-star level player. He isn't a first or second option, but going to a team like the Cavs would be perfect for him.

Linas Kleiza would be another good option for CLE if they can't pick up Marion... good sized player who can space the floor, he did average about 10/gm, and was productive for Denver with good minutes.

__________________

The only thing I would worry about with adding Artest to this team is touches. No doubt that Phil/Kobe can keep Artest in check, but he does have a tendency to go into modes where he takes some bad shots. Rodman is a good example, but he wasn't taking any shots/touches away from the team. LA had a problem with Pau complaining about touches before Artest arrived, so this would be my only concern for LA. Overall though I still think Artest is a GREAT signing. If he learns his role and sticks to it (like Ariza did), it shouldn't be a problem.

__________________

I don't believe one could compare Rodman with Artest unless you are
specifically speaking to the control issue. Rodman was pure defense
with a few shots here and there. (mostly bad shots).

IMO, Artest on the other hand has a good offensive game and can be a
defensive threat to other teams provided that he is coachable regarding
his overly aggress defensive posture (which by the way may be a good thing)

The only issue with Artest seems to be his previous behaviour
what at this point will be muted even more by virtue of team
dynamics and coaching.

__________________
"What you hear in a great jazz band is the sound of democracy. “The jazz band works best when participation is shaped by intelligent communication.”
Harmony happens whenever different parts get to form a whole by means of congruity, concord, symetry, consistency, conformity, correspondence, agreement, accord, unity, consonance…….

I don't think either of us were speaking about their games, rather their attitude and the control issue. Obviously Artest brings both offense/defense to the table. But again, I could see a chemistry issue with the team if Artest doesn't learn his role. There were many times during his tenure with Houston where he would shoot constantly while taking bad shots and when he was not shooting well. But as long as he sticks to his role and doesnt create any issues on/off the court, the Lakers are going to be hard to beat...

__________________

__________________
"What you hear in a great jazz band is the sound of democracy. “The jazz band works best when participation is shaped by intelligent communication.”
Harmony happens whenever different parts get to form a whole by means of congruity, concord, symetry, consistency, conformity, correspondence, agreement, accord, unity, consonance…….