Reply With Quote
Do it RC, do it
link:
http://www.hoopsvibe.com/nba-blog/mo...a-ar50404.html
More minutes, more money: Can the Los Angeles Lakers re-sign Trevor Ariza?
April 21 09
More minutes, more money.
This is the unofficial philosophy of the NBA Players’ Union. The more scratch players get on-court, the more scratch that lines their pockets every two weeks come pay day.
The examples are countless. Consider Los Angeles’ Trevor Ariza. The swingman, and soon to be free agent, has earned himself additional zeros this summer because of airtight defence and physical play.
The slowing economy won’t matter. Ariza, in his first season as a significant contributor, is due to cash in. The cap-strapped Lakers might not be able to afford him. Then, again, they can’t afford to lose him, either.
Championship teams have swagger. Last year, Boston had Kevin Garnett’s intensity. And San Antonio was half squeaky-clean professionals and half villains with Bruce Bowen. A more prominent Ariza provides the toughness that was missing in last year’s NBA Finals against the Celtics.
Speaking of Bowen, Ariza is a younger version of the Spurs’ lockdown defender –minus most of the elbows, knees, and cheap shots. The Arizona grad can match up with the opposition’s top perimeter player, which lightens the defensive load for an already stretched Kobe Bryant.
At 6-8 and 210 pounds, Ariza has great size for both the two and three spots. And he fits in the frontcourt with either Lamar Odom or Andrew Bynum starting. Also, Ariza can play off-guard, which gives coach Phil Jackson the option to supersize his line-up with Bryant sliding to the one-spot.
Re-signing such an asset could be tough. The Lakers have 75 million dollars on the books next year, which doesn’t include a salary for free agents Ariza and Lamar Odom. Also, this figure doesn’t account for any potential raise given to Bryant, who holds an opt-out clause.
L.A. has benefited from Ariza`s increase in minutes. And he will likely get the benefit of more money elsewhere.
Do it RC, do it
Oh, if only.
If it came down to Gooden or Ariza, who would you chose?
ariza and its not even close
I love what Gooden has been able to do, but you'd be stupid not to jump at the opportunity to land Ariza. Young, athletic, and defensive minded--that's the type of player Pop wants to succeed Bowen. You think he likes giving Drew the green light to generate his own offense. no--he's just doing it out of necessity.
Trevor Ariza would be fantastic with the Spurs.
BUT he looks very happy in L.A.
I thought the Spurs would be a good fit for him when he was with Orlando. Isn't he injury prone?
is there any realistic possibility at signing both?
Please!!!!
Love that pic!!
Ariza is not leaving LA; he's from here and he has ties here. I'm sure the Lakers will find some way to keep him. Bye-bye Lamar unless he takes a pay cut.Do it RC, do it
I don't think so, unless the Lakers were willing to do a sign and trade with their friends the Spurs. Either that, or Ariza and Gooden would have to *split* the MLE. So, not very likely.is there any realistic possibility at signing both?
Man, I don't know who I would choose. I guess it would have to be Gooden, since he provides some low post scoring. Ariza would be a fantastic defensive force on the Spurs but Gooden's ability to provide some inside scoring and shore up some rebounding issues (hopefully) puts him slightly ahead in my book.
Still, the idea of weakening the Lakers, while strengthening the Spurs is incredibly appealing.
I think Gooden would be a better fit, considering Tim's minutes and offensive load will be reduced in the coming years.
If Gooden is can learn to play sufficient defense, I think he would be more valuable than Ariza.
From what it sounds like, Ariza is a bigger version of what Pop would like to make out of George Hill.
Amen! Don't know why the Spurs didn't make a play for him after he left New York.
Problem is George Hill isn't a SF. That's what the Spurs need - a long, athletic SF - and have for quite some time.
I hate Ariza, but I would love him if he were a Spur.
lakers wouldnt ever let him go, they know spurs would do anything to sign him
what if, what if, what if...
currently isnt splitters club trying to workd out on a buyout since they are havin problems financially...
maybe if splitter does decide to come play for us next season for the rookie salary scale....
then we can just give up on gooden and give his roster spot to splitter.
Rasheed wants to come play for us even for the minimum, we could also look in that.
Then sign ARIZA to the MLE...
ariza and GISTS roaming the lanes oh i cant fkn wait....
I'm fine with the bigman rotation next season being Tim/KT/Ian/Bonner, and the wing rotation to be Parker/HillPG, Mason/ManuSG Hairston/FinleySF, Gist/ArizaSF&PF. I bet Gist would get half his minutes as smallball PF. And I'd be fine with Bowen back if Fin decided to retire.
I'm afraid Ariza gets more than the MLE. If he just gets the MLE, the Lakers will surely take him. I think Odom is gone.
And Spurs would not want Odom.
Now, it is true that Gooden is a legit low post scorer, but 1) he is mostly doing that against 2nd units, 2) we need our bigs to also play d, which he is still average at best, and 3) we could probably get by with Wallace for cheap for another year.
Ariza is our DREAM defensive stopper to take over for Bruce. And he can score.
He is the BEST possible scenario, IMO, if he can be had for around the MLE.
Hopefully, we'll get a nice mano-a-mano comparison in a few weeks.
did Sheed really say that? Where did you hear that? If thats true who would you rather have Sheed or Gooden?
It'd be great to get Ariza and hurt the Lakers at the same time. I don't think we will, though; most likely we'll just have to hope Gist is the next Ariza. If absolutely everything went right for the Spurs this offseason, maybe next year...
Ian Splitter Thomas
Duncan Gooden Bonner
Ariza Gist Bowen
Mason Ginobili Hairston
Parker Hill Williams
Not gonna happen (probably wouldn't even have the money if all were willing), but would be awesome.
There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)
Posting Permissions
