Laker fans, lets be honest

[DenDen]

You know you want Ariza back.

[carrao45]

Everybody knows we're gonna miss him, no point in even saying it really. Definitely no reason to make a thread about it

[DenDen]

Everybody knows we're gonna miss him, no point in even saying it really. Definitely no reason to make a thread about it
I know, I just read so much negative stuff about him from laker fan, like all his contribution didn't matter.

[carrao45]

I know, I just read so much negative stuff about him from laker fan, like all his contribution didn't matter.

Anyone who says his contributions didnt matter is stupid. However, Ariza was a product of the system, and of teams double teaming Kobe and Pau, thus giving him wide open shots. He wont get those shots in Houston

[scottspurs]

Your not a laker fan and your soon to receive at least 10 replys saying the Lakers have 15 championships, Artest is 10X better than Ariza, Kobe is the greatest player in the history of basketball, Phil Jackson has 10 red only has 9, Fisher is as clutch as Jordan, Lamar Odom is the second coming of Scottie Pippen, Jordan Farmar owns Aaron Brooks, Yao and T-Mac are walking glass, Scola got owned by Fisher, my sources say the Lakers are going to sign Lamar Odom, Allen Iverson, Rasheed Wallace, Shawn Marion, Jason Kidd, and their trading for LEbron, D-Wade, Bosh, and Chris Paul. And we are going 82-0 sweeping everbody in the playoffs. Kobe will win 27 titles and Phil will win 33.

Seriously, do you really think you are going to get a honest answer from a Laker fan?

[Kobe™]

Artest for MLE is an absolute steal, Ariza will be missed..
I thank him for contributing to this year's championship and having an even more instrumental role in helping the lakers repeat
:toast Trevor Ariza

[scottspurs]

I respect what carrao45 has to say though. Definitely stupid to start this thread, there are 150 Ariza and Artest threads already.

[jonnybravo]

Man, you know a lot of Lakers fans were the most egregious Trev nuthuggers. Honestly, I liked him...but really...this shit ahs to stop.

I know one poster here that would fellate him at the first chance. Ridiculous. Coop if he was dead would be rolling over in his grave if he realized teh amount of attention a 5th option (if Bynum was healthy) was getting. Un-Fucken real.

[DrHouse]

The choice for the Lakes was the following:

A.) Artest for the MLE
B.) Ariza for $7-8 million

You tell me what you would do.

Mitch offered up a fair contract to Ariza. His agent was openly hostile from the beginning and when Mitch told him to bring him the other offers significantly above the MLE so the Lakers could think it through both he and Trevor walked.

And now Ariza signs for the same money with a shit team. The Lakers did not disrespect Ariza, they gave him the contract he was worth. He tried to play hardball with his agent and got fucked in the process. He got what he deserved.

[Culburn369]

Your not a laker fan and your soon to receive at least 10 replys saying the Lakers have 15 championships

I'm first!

[carrao45]

Your not a laker fan and your soon to receive at least 10 replys saying the Lakers have 15 championships, Artest is 10X better than Ariza, Kobe is the greatest player in the history of basketball, Phil Jackson has 10 red only has 9, Fisher is as clutch as Jordan, Lamar Odom is the second coming of Scottie Pippen, Jordan Farmar owns Aaron Brooks, Yao and T-Mac are walking glass, Scola got owned by Fisher, my sources say the Lakers are going to sign Lamar Odom, Allen Iverson, Rasheed Wallace, Shawn Marion, Jason Kidd, and their trading for LEbron, D-Wade, Bosh, and Chris Paul. And we are going 82-0 sweeping everbody in the playoffs. Kobe will win 27 titles and Phil will win 33.

Seriously, do you really think you are going to get a honest answer from a Laker fan?

Fisher did kinda own scola

[carrao45]

I respect what carrao45 has to say though. Definitely stupid to start this thread, there are 150 Ariza and Artest threads already.

:toast

[carrao45]

The choice for the Lakes was the following:

A.) Artest for the MLE
B.) Ariza for $7-8 million

You tell me what you would do.

Mitch offered up a fair contract to Ariza. His agent was openly hostile from the beginning and when Mitch told him to bring him the other offers significantly above the MLE so the Lakers could think it through both he and Trevor walked.

And now Ariza signs for the same money with a shit team. The Lakers did not disrespect Ariza, they gave him the contract he was worth. He tried to play hardball with his agent and got fucked in the process. He got what he deserved.

People dont like you

[sabar]

Spurs fans, lets be honest

You know you want Sjax back

[Halberto]

The choice for the Lakes was the following:

A.) Artest for the MLE
B.) Ariza for $7-8 million

You tell me what you would do.

Mitch offered up a fair contract to Ariza. His agent was openly hostile from the beginning and when Mitch told him to bring him the other offers significantly above the MLE so the Lakers could think it through both he and Trevor walked.

And now Ariza signs for the same money with a shit team. The Lakers did not disrespect Ariza, they gave him the contract he was worth. He tried to play hardball with his agent and got fucked in the process. He got what he deserved.

Can you show me where you're getting this information from?

EDIT: Alright, so I noticed you're getting this info from a chain of sources. A source informing the worst basketball source on the internet, hoopsworld? Spurstalk is more credible than that website! The story you have makes sense, but the truth is you don't know what you're talking about.

[KSeal]

When you get a guy like Artest who is a better overall player then Ariza I don't think you could say he'll be "missed" from a winning games stand point. But as a fan I'll miss him a lot, he was my second favorite Laker and if he didn't step up the way he did the Lakers may not be the Champs right now, I'll never forget him for what he did. Artest just brings a whole new toughness and anti-quitness I think the Lakers really needed going into next year, glad he's aboard.

[Brazil]

The choice for the Lakes was the following:

A.) Artest for the MLE
B.) Ariza for $7-8 million

You tell me what you would do.

Mitch offered up a fair contract to Ariza. His agent was openly hostile from the beginning and when Mitch told him to bring him the other offers significantly above the MLE so the Lakers could think it through both he and Trevor walked.

And now Ariza signs for the same money with a shit team. The Lakers did not disrespect Ariza, they gave him the contract he was worth. He tried to play hardball with his agent and got fucked in the process. He got what he deserved.

With no money issue you take Ariza

[cobbler]

Your not a laker fan and your soon to receive at least 10 replys saying the Lakers have 15 championships, Artest is 10X better than Ariza, Kobe is the greatest player in the history of basketball, Phil Jackson has 10 red only has 9, Fisher is as clutch as Jordan, Lamar Odom is the second coming of Scottie Pippen, Jordan Farmar owns Aaron Brooks, Yao and T-Mac are walking glass, Scola got owned by Fisher, my sources say the Lakers are going to sign Lamar Odom, Allen Iverson, Rasheed Wallace, Shawn Marion, Jason Kidd, and their trading for LEbron, D-Wade, Bosh, and Chris Paul. And we are going 82-0 sweeping everbody in the playoffs. Kobe will win 27 titles and Phil will win 33.

Seriously, do you really think you are going to get a honest answer from a Laker fan?

I'm not quite sure which is more annoying. Some of the Laker fans who exagerate everything or other fans such as you who blow everything out of proportion complaining about it time after time after time. Sooner or later you just have to let it go. Jealousy is not good for you.

[Culburn369]

Cobb is right on here, Scott. And other Spurs fans as well. This constant jealousy of the Lakers, their 15, Phil comin' back, Arty comin' in,,,well, I could go on longer, but, suffice to say: don't be jealous. Yer alright. Yer just not NBA Champions.

[Lakers999]

You know you want Ariza back.


yes we want him back and we will get him back sooner or later

[21_Blessings]

Laker haters, lets be honest. Artest is a better basketball player than Trevor Ariza.

[Spurs9]

Laker haters, lets be honest. Artest is a better basketball player than Trevor Ariza.
Agreed.

[YellowFever]

I'm really going to miss the guy and I hope he does well in Houston.

He was instrumental on our last run.

But that doesn't mean I'm kicking myself that we basically swapped him for Artest.

[blink]

it's funny that lakers fans make a couple threads dissing ariza/saying he's trying to save face (which i dont think is necessary)... but when someone makes a thread that lakers fans dont agree with, they call it stupid/not necessary.

[lefty]

Artest+Ariza FTW

Tron Arzest !!!!

[djohn2oo8]

Laker haters, lets be honest. Artest is a better basketball player than Trevor Ariza.

We'll see when Artest takes away 60% of kobe's shots

[Medvedenko]

Lol: Artest taking Kobe's shots

[BeeGee]

You know you want Ariza back.Ariza was awesome, but anybody that knows basketball knows Artest is an upgrade over Trevor. Put Artest in Ariza's position and he's unleashed.

- Artest can defend 4 positions with no problem.
- Artest won't have to initiate offense in LA, and will be able to focus on what he does best: Get in ya ass on defense. He'll be unleashed and be able to be the lockdown defender he's always been.
- Artest brings toughness, and a physical edge. He's a player that many guys don't wanna play against.

So try and downplay this if you want to. This guy for the MLE is an absolute bank heist, so I understand the jealousy and the need to downplay it. Doesn't matter though. This gives us more money to sign Odom, and I couldn't have dreamed it up any better. Ariza was awesome, but I'd take Ron Artest over him every single time, be serious.

The Lakers went from:

Odom OR Ariza (make a choice)

To:

Artest AND Odom (most likely)

Basically, we win and we win BIG, man. It's a dream in 2009 that a player of Artest's caliber at on 29 years old, would take this much of a paycut to come to LA. So I understand the jealousy and all this wordplay about Ariza. The Lakers went from Odom or Ariza to Odom and Artest. I'd be jealous as fuck too if I weren't a Laker fan.

:toast Life is good.

[djohn2oo8]

Ariza was awesome, but anybody that knows basketball knows Artest is an upgrade over Trevor. Put Artest in Ariza's position and he's unleashed.

- Artest can defend 4 positions with no problem.
- Artest won't have to initiate offense in LA, and will be able to focus on what he does best: Get in ya ass on defense. He'll be unleashed and be able to be the lockdown defender he's always been.
- Artest brings toughness, and a physical edge. He's a player that many guys don't wanna play against.



First of all, he IS NOT the defender he used to be b/c he has lost a step or two, Brandon Roy torched Artest when he tried to guard him...Second, NO ONE can control what Ron is gonna do within the offense, usually he dribbles the ball down to about 2 or 3 seconds on the shot clock. He also takes alot of ill advised shots. 3rd, Lakers went from being athletic, to not being as athletic, especially if Odom doesn't resign. Yes Artest is a hell of a player, but just like medicine, too much Artest will have side effects:

-Ron dribbles too much, which you NEVER wanna see
- Ron tries to be the hero and go for a last second shot
- Lost a step on the defensive side
- Can severley disrupt the offensive flow no matter how good the team is

Wish Ron all the best, but don't expect him to be the Artest in his prime

[Allanon]

Ariza was the Muthaf*ckin' Man! His crazy ass dunks will be missed.

But he's a Rocket now and is no longer my 2nd favorite Laker.

8mAajbn6O_M

[BeeGee]

Houston never got to see Artest's true ability on defense because he was too busy trying to make up for McGrady's absence on offense.

The triangle is a system...once Ron learns it, he'll be an asset just like anybody else. Ron won't be a problem at all. The Lakers still maintain plenty of athleticism, so that's not a worry either. If anything, the knock on us is we were too athletic and finesse and not tough enough. Ron isn't exactly unathletic and of course he brings an abundance of toughness - upgrade.

- He won't dribble too much in the triangle.
- We have a superstar, so Ron won't feel like he has to be that guy - no sweat.
- He may have lost a little, but he still has more than most good defenders. He's still a great defender and now he'll be relieved of the burden of having to initiate offense for an offensively-anemic Rockets team who's 2 stars stay injured.
- He won't disrupt the triangle...It'll take him some time to become effecient, but the cat is a smart player and will eventually be an asset to the offense. His main focus will be on the defensive end. Offensively, he's gonna get plenty of open looks and the dude shot 40% from 3 point range (153-383) last year, and 38% the year before that.

This won't be the Artest that Houston fans saw. We get a lockdown defender that will be able to focus most of his energy on defense. But we also get a guy that shot the 3 more efficiently than every big-time forward not named Danny Granger or Kevin Durant. So he'll spot up a lot on offense, get good looks, and not a lot of'em down. Then he'll be a monster on defense. I'll take that every time.

[Lars]

So if the Lakers have less success, Lakers eat crow correct?

[The Franchise]

Houston never got to see Artest's true ability on defense because he was too busy trying to make up for McGrady's absence on offense.

The triangle is a system...once Ron learns it, he'll be an asset just like anybody else. Ron won't be a problem at all. The Lakers still maintain plenty of athleticism, so that's not a worry either. If anything, the knock on us is we were too athletic and finesse and not tough enough. Ron isn't exactly unathletic and of course he brings an abundance of toughness - upgrade.

- He won't dribble too much in the triangle.
- We have a superstar, so Ron won't feel like he has to be that guy - no sweat.
- He may have lost a little, but he still has more than most good defenders. He's still a great defender and now he'll be relieved of the burden of having to initiate offense for an offensively-anemic Rockets team who's 2 stars stay injured.
- He won't disrupt the triangle...It'll take him some time to become effecient, but the cat is a smart player and will eventually be an asset to the offense. His main focus will be on the defensive end. Offensively, he's gonna get plenty of open looks and the dude shot 40% from 3 point range (153-383) last year, and 38% the year before that.

This won't be the Artest that Houston fans saw. We get a lockdown defender that will be able to focus most of his energy on defense. But we also get a guy that shot the 3 more efficiently than every big-time forward not named Danny Granger or Kevin Durant. So he'll spot up a lot on offense, get good looks, and not a lot of'em down. Then he'll be a monster on defense. I'll take that every time.


:wtf :lmao:lmao:lmao:lmao:lmao:lmao:lmao:lmao:lmao:lmao :lmao:lmao:lmao:lmao:lmao:lmao:lmao:lmao:lmao:lmao

[DrHouse]

The situation in Houston was FAR different from what Ron will face in LA. For starters he will almost never have to initiate the offense all by himself. I predict Phil is going to ask him to focus on one thing and one thing only, his defense. From what I remember Ron Artest LOVES TO PLAY DEFENSE. I predict we will see a much stronger effort on the defensive end from Ron Ron.

Offensively Ron is going to be taking Ariza's spot. This means he'll get a ton of wide open looks and almost no double coverage ever. If his offensive efficiency doesn't shoot through the roof I'll be damn surprised because it has for Gasol, Odom, and all the other players who have come to LA in the last 2 seasons.

[TheNextGen]

Just because they got a better deal in Artest doesnt mean they didnt like Ariza.

[DeadlyDynasty]

You know you want Ariza back.

I loved Ariza and wish he could've stayed (so does he)...with that being said, his agent fucked it up and we got a 29 y/o bulldog to replace him. LA came out winners on this one. Good luck to Trevor though, I feel for him b/c his agent is a moron

[BlackBellamy]

I loved Ariza and wish he could've stayed (so does he)...with that being said, his agent fucked it up and we got a 29 y/o bulldog to replace him. LA came out winners on this one. Good luck to Trevor though, I feel for him b/c his agent is a moron

It's not the worst fuck up on his (or his agent's) part. I think he might be able to increase his future earning potential by having a breakout year on this Rockets team rather than the Lakes (more plays drawn specifically for him, more minutes most likely and a chance to break out of a role player typecast). Sure, prolly no ring this year, but he has one already and that's more than can be said for quite a few HOF greats, right? So play hard now, make pay later.

[DeadlyDynasty]

It's not the worst fuck up on his (or his agent's) part. I think he might be able to increase his future earning potential by having a breakout year on this Rockets team rather than the Lakes (more plays drawn specifically for him, more minutes most likely and a chance to break out of a role player typecast). Sure, prolly no ring this year, but he has one already and that's more than can be said for quite a few HOF greats, right? So play hard now, make pay later.

That's a valid argument, but it's just hard to see Ariza as a #1 or #2. He's not exactly a gifted dribbler and he can't really create his own shot. His offense is predicated on what the "other" players do. Don't get me wrong, I think his shot will only get better, and his defense (which is already damn good), has the potential to land him on the all NBA-defensive first team some day. With that being said, he still does not have the skill set to be a main threat on a team. He fit the Lakers system perfectly, and had he ended up with the Cavs he would have a similarly effective role. In Houston he'll have to carry a large part of the offensive burden, and I just dont think he's equipt for that.

[BlackBellamy]

That's a valid argument, but it's just hard to see Ariza as a #1 or #2. He's not exactly a gifted dribbler and he can't really create his own shot. His offense is predicated on what the "other" players do. Don't get me wrong, I think his shot will only get better, and his defense (which is already damn good), has the potential to land him on the all NBA-defensive first team some day. With that being said, he still does not have the skill set to be a main threat on a team. He fit the Lakers system perfectly, and had he ended up with the Cavs he would have a similarly effective role. In Houston he'll have to carry a large part of the offensive burden, and I just dont think he's equipt for that.

I, obviously, don't get to watch as many Lakers games as you in a season. But from what I saw, Ariza seemed to be able to slash and make his own shot so long as it was set closer to the lane rather than the arc. It seemed that we got to see his shot evolve to another level last year, I like the guy's chances of remaining relevant. On this wounded Rockets squad, he might not have much of a choice but to be a one, two or three go-to guy. I think in just giving him more options it will create a more rounded player in Ariza, rather than giving him the defined roles the Lakers did on an already deep team. Either way we seem to be waxing hypothetical, so only one way to find out, right?... Spurs sign Sheed or Dyess now, we move the season opener (S.A. & L.A., fingers crossed) up to August, start summer league tomorrow and then it's time to get it on marfuggers! :hungry:

[Culburn369]

So if the Lakers have less success, Lakers eat crow correct?

When has it been any other way?

[DeadlyDynasty]

I, obviously, don't get to watch as many Lakers games as you in a season. But from what I saw, Ariza seemed to be able to slash and make his own shot so long as it was set closer to the lane rather than the arc. It seemed that we got to see his shot evolve to another level last year, I like the guy's chances of remaining relevant. On this wounded Rockets squad, he might not have much of a choice but to be a one, two or three go-to guy. I think in just giving him more options it will create a more rounded player in Ariza, rather than giving him the defined roles the Lakers did on an already deep team. Either way we seem to be waxing hypothetical, so only one way to find out, right?... Spurs sign Sheed or Dyess now, we move the season opener (S.A. & L.A., fingers crossed) up to August, start summer league tomorrow and then it's time to get it on marfuggers! :hungry:
Amen brotha:toast

Time to keep those Spurs bitches in their place:D

[BlackBellamy]

Amen brotha:toast

Time to keep those Spurs bitches in their place:D

Sheeeit bruh, you've been reading too many Dr. House posts. :lol

I do agree we'll learn our place this year, first place or course. :lobt:

[DenDen]

Fisher did kinda own scola
That's was a vagina move, it's like kicking someone in the nuts when they're not expecting it.

[Lars]

This won't be the Artest that Houston fans saw. We get a lockdown defender that will be able to focus most of his energy on defense. But we also get a guy that shot the 3 more efficiently than every big-time forward not named Danny Granger or Kevin Durant. So he'll spot up a lot on offense, get good looks, and not a lot of'em down. Then he'll be a monster on defense. I'll take that every time.

I am sorry to be cliche but this is so much fail. You realize you basically just described everything Ariza did for your team right. Artest might give you those things but its retarded to think he isnt also going to take stupid shots and go one on five.

[carrao45]

That's was a vagina move, it's like kicking someone in the nuts when they're not expecting it.

I still thought it was funny. Scola went down fast:lol

[DJB]

Lakers imploding in t-minus 200 days due to Ron Artest

[kobyz]

probably the lakers never make Ariza an offer they just choose Artest for the MLE over Ariza for the same money, every normal team will choose Artesr over Ariza. Artesr is a lot better basketball player, great move by the Lakers.

[djohn2oo8]

Well, we know this for sure: Kobe won't hit Artest on the head like he did Gasol, or will he???

[TheNextGen]

Well, we know this for sure: Kobe won't hit Artest on the head like he did Gasol, or will he???

If he can elbow him in the throat, why not hit him in the head?

[VivaPopovich]

i think most of them are rejuicing over landing artest, which they really shouldnt be

he's a better SF than ariza but thats not the issue. ariza was the best fit for the lakers. phil jackson will contain artest like he did with rodman but for what.. 1 season? whats suppose to happen after that?

artest will be an issue for years to come

[LakeShow]

:lol @ Spursfans and others who think they have a clue about the Lakers. Most of you don't realize that Ariza just had a great finals series against the magic and an adequate playoffs all together. Ariza is a good defender but he seldom shut anyone down. He couldn't stop Carmelo, Pierce or Lebron. Artest can. He didn't even start all year because he couldn't hit a shot. Sure I would love to have Ariza because he now knows the system but you're fooling yourselves to believe that the Lakers need him to win. Artest will be a hell of an upgrade. He can create, has a low post game and is good in a dribble drive. Artest will excel in the Lakers system. He will make a name for his self just being a great one on one defender, and if you say that he can not do that, you're fooling yourselves. I find it amazing that you think Duncan will do all of the same things that he used to do, even though it is obvious that he is declining, but Artest will not. :lol

Nice pickup for the Spurs in getting Richard Jefferson although he is not a player that will put fear in the Lakers. Wallace will be a nice pickup for the Spurs and will make them possibly the second best team in the Western conference. I would really be concerned with him going to the Spurs five years ago. Today, I am not worried. Losing Bruce is another big concern for the Spurs going up against the Lakers. You don't have anyone who can guard him now but,

all of that is irrelevant. The Lakers own the Spurs and I don't care who they suit up, they will beat the Spurs. They always do!

[Spursfan092120]

:lol @ Spursfans and others who think they have a clue about the Lakers. Most of you don't realize that Ariza just had a great finals series against the magic and an adequate playoffs all together. Ariza is a good defender but he seldom shut anyone down. He couldn't stop Carmelo, Pierce or Lebron. Artest can. He didn't even start all year because he couldn't hit a shot. Sure I would love to have Ariza because he now knows the system but you're fooling yourselves to believe that the Lakers need him to win. Artest will be a hell of an upgrade. He can create, has a low post game and is good in a dribble drive. Artest will excel in the Lakers system. He will make a name for his self just being a great one on one defender, and if you say that he can not do that, you're fooling yourselves. I find it amazing that you think Duncan will do all of the same things that he used to do, even though it is obvious that he is declining, but Artest will not. :lol

Nice pickup for the Spurs in getting Richard Jefferson although he is not a player that will put fear in the Lakers. Wallace will be a nice pickup for the Spurs and will make them possibly the second best team in the Western conference. I would really be concerned with him going to the Spurs five years ago. Today, I am not worried. Losing Bruce is another big concern for the Spurs going up against the Lakers. You don't have anyone who can guard him now but,

all of that is irrelevant. The Lakers own the Spurs and I don't care who they suit up, they will beat the Spurs. They always do!
Yeah..like nobody knows anything about the Lakers except Laker fans...they're fucking Hollywood dude...I probably know as much about the Lakers as you do. And saying the Lakers have always owned the Spurs? Give me a break dude...1999, 2003, 2005, 2007...where were you?

[LakeShow]

Yeah..like nobody knows anything about the Lakers except Laker fans...they're fucking Hollywood dude...I probably know as much about the Lakers as you do. And saying the Lakers have always owned the Spurs? Give me a break dude...1999, 2003, 2005, 2007...where were you?

1999 doesnt count. 2003 was a fluke. The Lakers were burnt out trying to do something no other team has ever done. Win 4 titles in a row. That loss to the spurs was an aberation and the Lakers proved it by spanking the Spurs asses the next year. We were rebuilding in 05 and 07, kind of like what the Spurs should be doing now.

The Spurs act like they really think they have a chance at the title. I don't see it. :lol

As far as the Lakers and Spurs history you only need to check the head to head match ups to see that the Lakers own the Spurs.

[Muser]

I've never understood why 1999 doesn't count?

[LakeShow]

I've never understood why 1999 doesn't count?

It wasn't a real NBA season.

:lol I'm just fucking with you guys on that one.

[DPG21920]

Ya, Artest did a great job of shutting Kobe down, lmao. Lebron, Melo and Pierce are all just as good as Kobe offensively. Kobe was supposed to be a defensive stopper and got shredded by Pierce they year before.

Ariza was average in the playoffs?

50% from the field and 48% from 3 with double digit scoring, 4 rebounds and over a steal and a half per game.

[LakeShow]

Ya, Artest did a great job of shutting Kobe down, lmao. Lebron, Melo and Pierce are all just as good as Kobe offensively. Kobe was supposed to be a defensive stopper and got shredded by Pierce they year before.

Ariza was average in the playoffs?

50% from the field and 48% from 3 with double digit scoring, 4 rebounds and over a steal and a half per game.

That's all, adequate. Like I said he had a very good finals and a good WC, but by no means was he the difference maker.

Kobe should not have been guarding Piece in the first place. Pierce is too big for him as well as Carmelo and that's why Artest would do a much better job than ariza or kobe.

The Lakers won the west in 2008 without Ariza and had a much easier time in doing so. With two players out that season the Lakers were short handed against the Celtics. 2 more bodies could have made all the difference in winning and losing. I hate to see Ariza go but Lamar is the x factor. If we lose him, I would worry.

[DenDen]

Bet Lakers fan wouldn't be on artest nuts this much, if he was to sign with the cavs.

[DenDen]

LOL... thats just it. Our future titles were not dependent upon making any moves at all. We could have stood pat, and still been the favorites.

Gaining Artest for a discount literally fucked the entire league for years to come, mainly, we got him really cheap. Also, now guys like James, Pierce and Carmello are forced to guard Artest... NOT KOBE!!! Even though Kobe will get his against anyone in the league, its going to much tougher for those teams to put their star player on Kobe with Artest out there beastin at that 3 position.

This team we have on the floor now will be better than our 3-peat team. By the time Kobe is done, he will have surpassed MJ in titles, and the Lakers will have surpassed the Celtics in titles. :lol
Will he be beastin cause he's Ron artest, or because he's a laker? Laker homers yall are all the same, overrated on a another and a beastin on laker. I love artest on rockets, not cause of his talent, but his heart. Seriously talent wise he declined, and slow on defense not the same DPOY. He's a lakers, his bum ankle is gonna miracle heal, talent rejuvenated, and he'll be beastin :rolleyes

[DenDen]

Do you even watch basketball. Did you see how easily the Lakers won the title this year. The only team that put up a challenge was a Ron Artest led Rockets. Artest does everything better than Ariza.
Really was it Artest? Cause I remember Shane doing a better job on kobe and a bigger leadership ship role. I remember brooks, running circle around lalkers D. I remember role player as a whole having a no surender attitude when their best player went down. I understand you're a laker homer, i know how ya think.

[carrao45]

Really was it Artest? Cause I remember Shane doing a better job on kobe and a bigger leadership ship role. I remember brooks, running circle around lalkers D. I remember role player as a whole having a no surender attitude when their best player went down. I understand you're a laker homer, i know how ya think.

Artest will score less, but his effeciency will go way up

[DrHouse]

Artest won't score as much as he did in Houston because he won't have to.

His offensive efficiency will shoot through the roof simply because he's going to see less double teams and opposing defenses won't be able to key in on him with Kobe and Gasol on the floor.

I don't think people have fully realized just what kind of an upgrade Artest is over Ariza. The only worries I have about Artest are in getting him to buy into what the Lakers are trying to do, but seeing as how he has already given up millions of dollars to play with Kobe and co. I just don't see any serious issues cropping up.

If Bynum can regain his form pre-injury the Lakers are going to be one scary team. Artest/Kobe/Gasol/Bynum has the makings of a great defense. Offense was never a problem for LA.

[carrao45]

Artest will score less, but his effeciency will go way up
^^^^^^^^^

Artest won't score as much as he did in Houston because he won't have to.

His offensive efficiency will shoot through the roof simply because he's going to see less double teams and opposing defenses won't be able to key in on him with Kobe and Gasol on the floor.

I don't think people have fully realized just what kind of an upgrade Artest is over Ariza. The only worries I have about Artest are in getting him to buy into what the Lakers are trying to do, but seeing as how he has already given up millions of dollars to play with Kobe and co. I just don't see any serious issues cropping up.

If Bynum can regain his form pre-injury the Lakers are going to be one scary team. Artest/Kobe/Gasol/Bynum has the makings of a great defense. Offense was never a problem for LA.

Way to repeat what i said, right after i said it...