Cuban: Happy Lakers Got Artest

[cobbler]

So you don't have a problem with it practically being 5-on-4 because you have Bynum and Gasol to make up for Artest's mistakes?

I said "if". It's not like its a given. And if on a few occasions he does get beat... yes, it is nice to have two 7 footers as backup. Everone gets beat.

[DPG21920]

Could it be that the FO realized that we were fortunate to not have to go through the Celts and Cavs who have larger small forwards. Could it be that they saw the way Melo and other large SF's were able to push Ariza around? Could it be that they realized Ariza (and I love Ariza) got hot (shooting) in the 3rd round and finals and that was not the norm as witnessed by the rest of his career?

It's ironic how we get all these posts talking about how lucky the Lakers got on their path to the championship and in the next breath say they shouldn't have tried to upgrade since they won it all.

No. You can take to heart people who post the Laker's got lucky or you can realize the truth; Ariza, despite his flaws, was great role player for the Lakers and the Lakers had the best team by far.

Although you gain better defense of SF's that are bulky, you lose the ability to guard quicker guards. That means Kobe has to do more work and not hide out on the defensive end. It can be argued what is better for the Laker's considering they faced a guy like Carmelo and prevailed anyways.

The Lakers definitely upgraded in talent with the Artest for Ariza swap, but that does not mean there are not risks inherent with the move. Ariza fit, this was a known en y. Artest is still a question mark and that is the point.

[completely deck]

What risk? We had a player that wanted too much money, and publicly said he had better options. We went with another option. We could have gone after Marion, Grant, a number of players could have filled Ariza's small shoes. Whats funny is you all make Ariza out to be some piece that was irreplaceable. We upgraded playa, and you gotta deal with me and Crazypills for the next five years. Don't be mad at me, things are the way they suppose to be.

Is English your first language or are you really that stupid?

[mogrovejo]

I agree with Cuban. Artest is a guy with a very high usage rate without being very efficient and Ariza is a better perimeter defender than him these days.

[mystargtr34]

No. You can take to heart people who post the Laker's got lucky or you can realize the truth; Ariza, despite his flaws, was great role player for the Lakers and the Lakers had the best team by far.

Although you gain better defense of SF's that are bulky, you lose the ability to guard quicker guards. That means Kobe has to do more work and not hide out on the defensive end. It can be argued what is better for the Laker's considering they faced a guy like Carmelo and prevailed anyways.

The Lakers definitely upgraded in talent with the Artest for Ariza swap, but that does not mean there are not risks inherent with the move. Ariza fit, this was a known en y. Artest is still a question mark and that is the point.

Wasting your time.

[KSeal]

I laugh at the Laker haters who act as if Ariza was going to shot 48% from three the rest of his career. He played way over his head which just happened to be in a contract year. Yes he played good D as well but does anyone remember the first few games of that Denver series? Ariza got abused to the point where Kobe had to guard Melo. With Ron here that isn't a problem, he can handle the PP's, Melos's and LBJ (to a point) of the world, Ariza had no chance against those guys. Not to mention the biggest complaint and weakness of the Lakers over the past two years has been toughness, bringing in the toughest SF in the league obviously helps the team out there. Haters are going to hate and look at all the negatives while the lovers love and look at all the positives, the truth is Artest fills wholes the Lakers desperately needed filled yet he can't fill them all. The Lakers are going to have to play to their strengths and get great leadership and coaching.

[Obstructed_View]

It's so funny that Lakerfan talks out of one side about the overwhelming talent advantage the team has, then turns around and suggests that winning les with this team suddenly makes Kobe Bryant less of a coattailer than when Shaq was there.

[Morg1411]

And we still have the best team. Come all-star break, you all will be wishing for injuries, because Artest is what the doctor ordered.

[Obstructed_View]

And we still have the best team. Come all-star break, you all will be wishing for injuries, because Artest is what the doctor ordered.

If you're relying on Artest to be bigger in critical situations than Ariza was, then your team is doomed. If the Lakers are as dominant as Lakerfan likes to tell everyone, then Artest doesn't really put them over the top. At best he's overkill. At worst, he's what he's been his entire career. Be glad you have a built-in excuse if Kobe fails to repeat with all this talent around him and a HOF coach.

[KSeal]

If you're relying on Artest to be bigger in critical situations than Ariza was, then your team is doomed. If the Lakers are as dominant as Lakerfan likes to tell everyone, then Artest doesn't really put them over the top. At best he's overkill. At worst, he's what he's been his entire career. Be glad you have a built-in excuse if Kobe fails to repeat with all this talent around him and a HOF coach.

Yeah cause I'm sure Ariza was going to shoot 48% from three in the playoffs again. Plus if Bynum doesn't get his knee raped by Kobe again (he's quite the rapist) then he'll be the big story, not Artest. Ron just needs to play nice and tough D and hit the open three when it's presented, that's it.

[Culburn369]

The Lakers definitely upgraded in talent with the Artest for Ariza swap, but that does not mean there are not risks inherent with the move. Ariza fit, this was a known en y. Artest is still a question mark and that is the point.

Thank, you, DPG...and that (upgrade in talent) is yet another reason why Buss choose Odom & Artest over Ariza.

[Culburn369]

At best he's overkill.

I'd settle for that, yes.

[Danny.Zhu]

Just hope Cuban decides to build Mavs in the next few years with the only aim to match up well against Lakers, instead of Spurs.

[Culburn369]

Just hope Cuban decides to build Mavs in the next few years with the only aim to match up well against Lakers, instead of Spurs.

Yes, it would be a change of pace most welcome for your worn out asses.

[mystargtr34]

Amazing how Lakerfan has turned on Ariza. One minute he was a Pau Gasol level steal, who was the third most important piece to his teams le run, with unlimited potential. Now hes that scrub role player who rode Kobe's back and got abused by defenders on a nightly basis.

[Mori Chu]

In Orlando much rests on what impact Carter is going to have. This is his last chance to make his mark. If he can't, they can't get there.

I agree, Cubby. And I'm not super sold on Vince. A lot of people think he was an upgrade over Hedo, but I don't think so. It's all about fit, and I don't really think he fits this team.

But the reason I still think they're an elite team (and better than Boston) is because of their other acquisitions and the rest of their roster. Matt Barnes was a steal. Retaining Marcin Gortat, while pricey, is a great retention of talent. Brandon Bass is also a useful player. Plus their other guys like Dwight Howard and Rashard Lewis aren't going anywhere. So I think Vince's potential to damage the team is reduced.

I still think they look a lot better than a gimpy, aging Boston. I don't see any way that the Celtics are in the Finals come June. Part of it is because I'm not at all sold on their Rasheed Wallace pickup. He's getting too old and demands the ball a lot, and his outside shooting is shakier than it used to be. I just don't think Sheed is a get-you-over-the-hump kind of player any more.

As for Cleveland, I don't love the Shaq move, but I like a lot of their other moves such as grabbing Jamario Moon. And Shaq, for all his faults, will at least provide a big shield for Lebron, a cushion (made of flab). He'll deflect a lot of the pressure and make Lebron feel freer to do his thing. I think it will help, and that the Cavs will rush out to the #1 seed in the East by a wide margin.

[Chieflion]

I agree, Cubby. And I'm not super sold on Vince. A lot of people think he was an upgrade over Hedo, but I don't think so. It's all about fit, and I don't really think he fits this team.

But the reason I still think they're an elite team (and better than Boston) is because of their other acquisitions and the rest of their roster. Matt Barnes was a steal. Retaining Marcin Gortat, while pricey, is a great retention of talent. Brandon Bass is also a useful player. Plus their other guys like Dwight Howard and Rashard Lewis aren't going anywhere. So I think Vince's potential to damage the team is reduced.

I still think they look a lot better than a gimpy, aging Boston. I don't see any way that the Celtics are in the Finals come June. Part of it is because I'm not at all sold on their Rasheed Wallace pickup. He's getting too old and demands the ball a lot, and his outside shooting is shakier than it used to be. I just don't think Sheed is a get-you-over-the-hump kind of player any more.

As for Cleveland, I don't love the Shaq move, but I like a lot of their other moves such as grabbing Jamario Moon. And Shaq, for all his faults, will at least provide a big shield for Lebron, a cushion (made of flab). He'll deflect a lot of the pressure and make Lebron feel freer to do his thing. I think it will help, and that the Cavs will rush out to the #1 seed in the East by a wide margin.

I beg to differ. For Orlando, Carter was what they needed. They needed a go-to scorer and they got one in Vince Carter. If only he was 2 years younger. Dwight, Hedo and Lewis are not go-to scorer calibre and Hedo wanted out, which was strange.

For Boston, Rasheed would just be a big man coming off the bench. Perkins is going to start. Rasheed would be better than Glen Davis and Brian Scalabrine anyway. Marquis Daniels will play good minutes behind Ray Allen and Paul Pierce, whose minutes will get slashed. Daniels is better than Tony Allen.

You got Cleveland correct. Those were good moves by their FO.

[Culburn369]

I beg to differ. For Orlando, Carter was what they needed. They needed a go-to scorer and they got one in Vince Carter. If only he was 2 years younger.

Well, are you going to "beg to differ"---or "If"?

[Culburn369]

Amazing how Lakerfan has turned on Ariza.

Ain't me. It's not personal. Just business. Buss had only the two choices:

1. Ariza

2. Odom & Artest

He moved swiftly & correctly.

[picc84]

It's so funny that Lakerfan talks out of one side about the overwhelming talent advantage the team has, then turns around and suggests that winning les with this team suddenly makes Kobe Bryant less of a coattailer than when Shaq was there.

With that logic, there are at least 4 teams this year that no matter who wins finals mvp they will be coattailing, and your spurs are one of them.

I guess Lebron already proved this year that its possible to win a le in todays NBA as a great player without a great team.

Oh wait. He proved the exact opposite.

[Killakobe81]

Artest is a risk and Ariza's SPEED and length is a loss ...but here is where Artest will help.
The other 4 NBA le contenders all have good (RJ and Rashard Lewis) or great Pierce, Lebron and Melo. In THOSE matchups Artest is a HUGE upgrade. [I] could pull up stats but what matters most is what I see ...and Artest has done a great job on all 3 at times. Against the quicker guys like Roy Wade etc. Ariza couldnt stop those guys either. (Ariza did help vs. Tony Parker). Ariza was most effective in passing lanes and bothering shooters and backcourt pressure ...
On defense Artest is like a shutdown corner who has lost a step yes he can get burnt from time to time but you arent going to earn your living going there regularly.
On offense artest will get the ball in the pinch post and side triangle ESPECIALLY when Kobe rests. He will be the primary or secondary scorer when Kobe and or Gasol sits.

You will see. Expect a great year on the court ...off? Well that is anyone's guess ...

[Killakobe81]

With that logic, there are at least 4 teams this year that no matter who wins finals mvp they will be coattailing, and your spurs are one of them.

I guess Lebron already proved this year that its possible to win a le in todays NBA as a great player without a great team.

Oh wait. He proved the exact opposite.

How you riding coattails when you average over 20 pts in 3 different playoff runs AND score over 30 and sometimes 40 in said playoff run?
You my friend (if you feel Kobe rode coattails and wasnt a HUGE key) are an idiot ...was shaq the 1A to Kobe's 1B? Of course! but it was Kobe that killed the Spurs more than shaq did Oh and Derk Fisher LOL

Shaq was dominant presence and the doubles helped out the other guys ESPECIALLY Fish and Horry who had wide open 3's ...
But Kobe has probven he can be an option 1a and Option 1B on a le team

[picc84]

How you riding coattails when you average over 20 pts in 3 different playoff runs AND score over 30 and sometimes 40 in said playoff run?
You my friend (if you feel Kobe rode coattails and wasnt a HUGE key) are an idiot ...was shaq the 1A to Kobe's 1B? Of course! but it was Kobe that killed the Spurs more than shaq did Oh and Derk Fisher LOL

Shaq was dominant presence and the doubles helped out the other guys ESPECIALLY Fish and Horry who had wide open 3's ...
But Kobe has probven he can be an option 1a and Option 1B on a le team

Are you talking to me?

[Harry Callahan]

Artest is capable of truly bizarre behavior. He has destoyed teams in the past (Indiana). I had read some stories coming out of Houston about how he was late for team buses and not being ready to go before games.

The Rockets kept a lid on some of this stuff, but it came out after their season was over.

Will Ron-Ron implode. We don't know. Could Ron-Ron implode. Absolutely.

[Culburn369]

I had read some stories coming out of Houston about how he was late for team buses and not being ready to go before games.

That only happened after he signed in Los Angeles. When he was in Houston he was always on time, ready to go, sans his clothes, replete in his Fruits only.