For the Lakers, It's A Case Of the Rich Getting Richer

[LakeShow]

For the Lakers, It's A Case Of the Rich Getting Richer

By J.A. Adande | ESPN.com LOS ANGELES -- Just what the Spurs needed: The Lakers just got a little more athletic.


Trevor Ariza 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. 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." Click here to e-mail J.A.

[ace3g]

good, could mess up the rotation and rhythm for the other guys if Ariza takes some of their minutes

[SenorSpur]

This is a guy that many of us Spurs fans have clamored for the FO to acquire for a couple of years.

[Purple & Gold]

I would say that le is more appropriate for the only 4 teams left with a chance at a ring still. To the rest of the NBA it is a case of the rich getting richer. Only Chicago is in the same breath. And they just pulled Beasley or Rose.

[DazedAndConfused]

The RZA is not needed as long as Ginobli keeps playing like this. Sasha's defense is great and his offense is light year's ahead of Trevor's.

We're just happy to see one our injured players actually find his way back to the court this season.

[LakeShow]

I would use Ariza. When Rad or Walton is off their games offensively, Ariza is a better option on defense.

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

As much as the Lakers irritate me, I must say, Trevor Ariza is the . Probably my favorite Laker. Him and Turiaf.

[Allanon]

This is a guy that many of us Spurs fans have clamored for the FO to acquire for a couple of years.

As much as the Lakers irritate me, I must say, Trevor Ariza is the . Probably my favorite Laker. Him and Turiaf.

What? You guys knew about Ariza?

I didn't know much about him until after he was traded to the Lakers. I thought it was a whatever trade, I would rather have kept Maurice Evans.

But dang, after watching Ariza play during the season, he's easily becoming one of my favorite Lakers. That dude's is sick.

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

What? You guys knew about Ariza?

I didn't know much about him until after he was traded to the Lakers. I thought it was a whatever trade, I would rather have kept Maurice Evans.

But dang, after watching Ariza play during the season, he's easily becoming one of my favorite Lakers. That dude's is sick.

Yea we have been advocating acquiring Ariza for the past few years now. He has a great career ahead of him.