LakeShow
05-24-2008, 02:29 PM
For the Lakers, It's A Case Of the Rich Getting Richer
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By J.A. Adande | ESPN.com LOS ANGELES -- Just what the Spurs needed: The Lakers just got a little more athletic.
Trevor Ariza (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3860) played for the first time since he broke a bone in his right foot on Jan. 20, entering the game with six minutes left in the Lakers' blowout of San Antonio.
Ariza gives the Lakers a swift 6-foot-8 forward who can guard a variety of positions.
"How he is going to help us is yet to be determined," Jackson said. "His energy out there, his ability out there is always nice to have that kind of speed and quickness."
From the way Lakers fans have been wondering about his progress and clamoring for his return, you'd think he would be as important an addition as Pau Gasol (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3513). Their questions, if not prayers, have finally been answered. He was greeted with an ovation that rivaled the cheer for Hall of Famer James Worthy when he brought out the ceremonial game ball before tip-off.
Ariza wasn't one to have great expectations.
"I only played six minutes," he said. "I haven't really been in the thick of things. It felt good to be out there, it felt good to be back on the court."
The Spurs are the team that could use a little boost right now. They're looking older and slower by the minute. From the time the Lakers trailed 65-45 with 5:39 in the third quarter of Game 1 until the 5:39 mark in the third quarter of Game 2 -- 48 minutes of basketball -- the Lakers outscored the Spurs 110-68. The total score since the Game 1 comeback began is 145-95.
J.A. Adande is an ESPN.com senior writer and the author of "The Best Los Angeles Sports Arguments (http://www.amazon.com/Best-Angeles-Sports-Arguments-Arguments/dp/1402211066)." Click here (http://proxy.espn.go.com/chat/mailbagESPN?event_id=16861) to e-mail J.A.
http://assets.espn.go.com/i/nba/profiles/players/65x90/3860.jpg
By J.A. Adande | ESPN.com LOS ANGELES -- Just what the Spurs needed: The Lakers just got a little more athletic.
Trevor Ariza (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3860) played for the first time since he broke a bone in his right foot on Jan. 20, entering the game with six minutes left in the Lakers' blowout of San Antonio.
Ariza gives the Lakers a swift 6-foot-8 forward who can guard a variety of positions.
"How he is going to help us is yet to be determined," Jackson said. "His energy out there, his ability out there is always nice to have that kind of speed and quickness."
From the way Lakers fans have been wondering about his progress and clamoring for his return, you'd think he would be as important an addition as Pau Gasol (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3513). Their questions, if not prayers, have finally been answered. He was greeted with an ovation that rivaled the cheer for Hall of Famer James Worthy when he brought out the ceremonial game ball before tip-off.
Ariza wasn't one to have great expectations.
"I only played six minutes," he said. "I haven't really been in the thick of things. It felt good to be out there, it felt good to be back on the court."
The Spurs are the team that could use a little boost right now. They're looking older and slower by the minute. From the time the Lakers trailed 65-45 with 5:39 in the third quarter of Game 1 until the 5:39 mark in the third quarter of Game 2 -- 48 minutes of basketball -- the Lakers outscored the Spurs 110-68. The total score since the Game 1 comeback began is 145-95.
J.A. Adande is an ESPN.com senior writer and the author of "The Best Los Angeles Sports Arguments (http://www.amazon.com/Best-Angeles-Sports-Arguments-Arguments/dp/1402211066)." Click here (http://proxy.espn.go.com/chat/mailbagESPN?event_id=16861) to e-mail J.A.