Artest to the Lakers..

[The_Game]

The Lakers remained far apart on negotiations Wednesday with their two main free-agent pieces, forwards Lamar Odom and Trevor Ariza.

from the la times if you know how to read dip

phoenix reportley offered 10 million to odom there is about 5 other teams in the league that can offer odom 10 million and trust me with odom possibly coming off the bench which he wouldn't want a punk like artest in front of him there is no way he sign with LA on the cheap, you and some of the lakers s need to come to reality that odom is not going to settle for 5 million a year

MORON you really need to learn the salary cap.

there are not 5 teams who can offer him 10 million....lakers are the only team who can offer more than anything else and will do so if needed.

Toronto, Portland are teams who can offer big money.....

Phoenix need to clear cap space to offer Odom a big contract..they can't offer jack right now.

[WayOutWest]

i dont know where yall are getting that he will take less money to come off the bench he must be a idiot to do that,if he falls for that then thats props to the lakers but i would think feels disrespected by that e ally that the lakers spend money on artest and they cant get him a contract. the lakers will have a good starting lineup no doubt about it, but who will be your six man?

Lakers spent there whole MLE on artest last time

Odom has stated he would take less money to stay with the Lakers, no mention about comming off the bench.

I don't know where you are getting the idea that the Lakers can't get him a contract. I've not read anything that states the Lakers were going to offer Odom the MLE, everything I've read indicates they were/are going to offer more since they expected to use the MLE on Ariza.

Money changes everything so I'm not banking on Odom comming back but I think he will. If he doesn't then I agree that it's a net loss for the Lakers.

[The_Game]

Odom wants 10 mill a year but likely thing is might have to settle for around 8 million to return to L.A which he will as no other team will offer him anymore than that

[Ditty]

MORON you really need to learn the salary cap.

there are not 5 teams who can offer him 10 million....lakers are the only team who can offer more than anything else and will do so if needed.

Toronto, Portland are teams who can offer big money.....

Phoenix need to clear cap space to offer Odom a big contract..they can't offer jack right now.

okay first of all dip i was just making up a number of teams that cann offer him a big contract, and asshole you dont understand the salary cap if you think the lakers are over the luxary tax and will pay $20 million a year after luxary tax to come off the bench would be stupid odom aint worth that much, just yall need him because yall bench is garbage

besides the teams you named grizzles if they dont get david lee,thunder would be another destination of a up and coming team, phoneix will buy out ben wallace and will have salary cap space,atlanta

i hope he lands in phoenix so he can screw up that team to overpay him

[Allanon]

Odom's made big money in his first couple of stints. He knows all about making the big bucks on a losing team (ie. teh Clippas). He loves the sandy beaches and he loves the Hollywood lifestyle. Losing wears on you as a person. He's looking at $8 million to stay on the Lakers or $10 million to play in Memphis or Arizona.

Lamar Odom said it best "Less is stil alot of money."

I have no doubts that Lamar will be back this year.

[The_Game]

okay first of all dip i was just making up a number of teams that cann offer him a big contract, and asshole you dont understand the salary cap if you think the lakers are over the luxary tax and will pay $20 million a year after luxary tax to come off the bench would be stupid odom aint worth that much, just yall need him because yall bench is garbage

besides the teams you named grizzles if they dont get david lee,thunder would be another destination of a up and coming team, phoneix will buy out ben wallace and will have salary cap space,atlanta

i hope he lands in phoenix so he can screw up that team to overpay him

just because the suns will buyout ben wallace doesn't make he won't still be on their salary you idiot...it still counts.

LEARN THE SALARY CAP

Lakers are more than willing to give Odom a contract in the 7-8 range and might get it up to 9 which odom will likely accept...nobody else will offer him a contract in that range. just isn't likely.

Dr Buss wasn't willing to sign ariza for over MLE due to also wanting Odom for a good amount...hense why artest was signed.

[Kindergarten Cop]

Forgive me if it has already been posted, but I keep hearing that Odom has stated that he would take less money to stay with the Lakers and I have yet to actually read that statement from him. Could someone please post a link that shows that quote from him? Thanks in advance.

The only reason I ask is because it was "reported" and highly speculated that Rasheed Wallace was quoted as saying he would retire if he didn't get an offer of $8M+ this offseason - and that appears to be false if he is making trips to teams that can only offer the MLE.

[Ditty]

Odom has stated he would take less money to stay with the Lakers, no mention about comming off the bench.

I don't know where you are getting the idea that the Lakers can't get him a contract. I've not read anything that states the Lakers were going to offer Odom the MLE, everything I've read indicates they were/are going to offer more since they expected to use the MLE on Ariza.

Money changes everything so I'm not banking on Odom comming back but I think he will. If he doesn't then I agree that it's a net loss for the Lakers.

prove to me that odom has said he will take less money? a statment from odom actully?not just speculation that he will and if so i will believe odom will be back and lakers will overpay him so

[Blackjack]

Certified nutjob that plays good defense and wants to win more than anything.

He'll conform to Phil's culture just like Rodman did.

Dynasty time, boys.

I repeat:

I don't like the acquisition for the Lakers but I'm not going to condemn it, either.

After seeing both Antoine Walker and Jason Williams get rings, I'll never say never again.

I will say this, though.

Artest is not Rodman, nor should Phil's ability to coach Rodman be equivocated to him coaching Artest.

Rodman was a highly intelligent ball player who knew his limitations on the court, and what attributes of his game were needed in order to win.

Artest is a specimen with an abundance of tools and ability, but lacks the know-how to utilize them for the best of the team, because of a belief that he's better than what he is. He doesn't know his limitations or how to sacrifice certain aspects of his game to focus on less glorified attributes that would actually contribute more to his team's overall success..

I'm not sure if Ariza could've been had for something just over the MLE but if he could've, I'm not sure why you fix something that's not broke.

As of right now, and as a Spurs fan, I don't mind this move at all.

But I reserve the right to change my mind...

[Ditty]

just because the suns will buyout ben wallace doesn't make he won't still be on their salary you idiot...it still counts.

LEARN THE SALARY CAP

Lakers are more than willing to give Odom a contract in the 7-8 range and might get it up to 9 which odom will likely accept...nobody else will offer him a contract in that range. just isn't likely.

Dr Buss wasn't willing to sign ariza for over MLE due to also wanting Odom for a good amount...hense why artest was signed.

last time i checked the whole contract dosent count against the cap idiot

lol odom 7-8 million dollar and yall talk about not overpaying players

i know odom aint worth that much but surely a team will overpay him jsut to steal him from the lakers. the lakers will have a great 4 and a bad rest of the team.

[WayOutWest]

prove to me that odom has said he will take less money? a statment from odom actully?not just speculation that he will and if so i will believe odom will be back and lakers will overpay him so

Everything I've read has said "Odom has stated", so it's possible that it's all just speculation since I haven't seen an actual quote or video either.

I'm pretty sure Odom will be back, there are only a couple of teams that can offer more than the MLE. The only proof you need will be presented in about a week when Odom and the Lakers announce they have come to terms.

[Ditty]

Sorry but I'd take Crazy Ron over the Ambiguously Gay Richard Jefferson any day of the week.

I've always respected San Antonio but LA has usually had their number and unless they suffer a rash of injuries or SA is able to avoid the Lakers in the playoffs, I don't see anyone stopping them in the west.

don't you have work tommorow

[draft87]

just because the suns will buyout ben wallace doesn't make he won't still be on their salary you idiot...it still counts.

LEARN THE SALARY CAP

Lakers are more than willing to give Odom a contract in the 7-8 range and might get it up to 9 which odom will likely accept...nobody else will offer him a contract in that range. just isn't likely.

Dr Buss wasn't willing to sign ariza for over MLE due to also wanting Odom for a good amount...hense why artest was signed.

if can't say something nice, then get the out of the san antonio forum. go 69 another laker fan and then pillow talk how great it is to be a laker fan.

[NewJerSpur]

Sorry but I'd take Crazy Ron over the Ambiguously Gay Richard Jefferson any day of the week.

I've always respected San Antonio but LA has usually had their number and unless they suffer a rash of injuries or SA is able to avoid the Lakers in the playoffs, I don't see anyone stopping them in the west.

It's not simply about who ac ulates the most/better talent, but how the acquisitions impact each team and fills certain needs/holes.

Btw, that was a so-so rendition of Mariotti.

[DAF86]

^^ Not sure what's dumber, your posting or the "Redskins 2010 Champs" you have in your le.

Artest is dumber than both combined.

[bishopospurs]

artest's personality is more deficient than Magic Johnson's immune system. glad to have jefferson.

[DrHouse]

Odom isn't going anywhere. This move has solidified that.

If you think the Laker brass is thinking they can compete without Odom you are outside your mind. They are going to play the waiting game with Odom until he accepts their offer of $8-9 million or so.

It's baffling how dumb Spurs fans are. You'd think the Lakers just traded away Kobe Bryant and signed T-mac by your reactions. Ridiculous, haven't you all gotten tired of being proven absolutely dead ing wrong?

Kobe can't win without Shaq
Lakers haven't done since '02

[crc21209]

Of course..championships aren't won on paper(see: '04 Lakers)

But Artest is a significant upgrade over Ariza. Who is in his own right a good player. But I view Artest as far more consistant on both ends of the floor, can post up(if needed) and can still drain 3's as Ariza could. The only negative(obviously) is can Artest keep his head on straight.

Correct me if I'm wrong but I don't recall ABC broadcasters ever mentioning that Ariza was traded to LA from Orlando because Van Gundy couldn't stand him. While he certaintly made some key plays against Denver, he played significantly better against Orlando and I don't view that as a coincidence.

If I were LA, I'd rather gamble on Artest than overpay Ariza.

Btw, I'm more happy since I don't have to endure Ozzie Guilen calling me a wherever I go

Artest reverted back to a jump shooting little in the LA series. He doesnt take it hard to the rack anymore and isnt the defender he used to be anymore either. Most of that series Battier made Kobe work for his stuff, not Artest.

[DrHouse]

You know what, you guys are right.

Artest is a washed up, no good, hack. He can't play a lick of defense, will chuck shots relentlessly, and will destroy the team from the inside out.

Yep, that's exactly what's going to happen next season. This is really the best thing that could ever happen to the Spurs.

at how delusional your fanbase is. You cannot accept reality, ever. You couldn't accept that you lost legitimately in '04 or '08. It's always the refs, injuries, or some other BS card.

[DAF86]

You know what, you guys are right.

Artest is a washed up, no good, hack. He can't play a lick of defense, will chuck shots relentlessly, and will destroy the team from the inside out.

Yep, that's exactly what's going to happen next season. This is really the best thing that could ever happen to the Spurs.

at how delusional your fanbase is. You cannot accept reality, ever. You couldn't accept that you lost legitimately in '04 or '08. It's always the refs, injuries, or some other BS card.

Why do you always act like a little insecure when talking about the Lakers?

[NewJerSpur]

Of course..championships aren't won on paper(see: '04 Lakers)

But Artest is a significant upgrade over Ariza. Who is in his own right a good player. But I view Artest as far more consistant on both ends of the floor, can post up(if needed) and can still drain 3's as Ariza could. The only negative(obviously) is can Artest keep his head on straight.

Correct me if I'm wrong but I don't recall ABC broadcasters ever mentioning that Ariza was traded to LA from Orlando because Van Gundy couldn't stand him. While he certaintly made some key plays against Denver, he played significantly better against Orlando and I don't view that as a coincidence.

If I were LA, I'd rather gamble on Artest than overpay Ariza.

Btw, I'm more happy since I don't have to endure Ozzie Guilen calling me a wherever I go

Artest is more versatile offensively, but Ariza is simply a better overall defender. He also can hit big shots down the stretch and make better decisions with the basketball during crunchtime than Ron Ron, who despite his scoring ability can fall in love way too easily with the 3-ball which would piss Kobe off.

[InK]

You know what, you guys are right.

Artest is a washed up, no good, hack. He can't play a lick of defense, will chuck shots relentlessly, and will destroy the team from the inside out.

Yep, that's exactly what's going to happen next season. This is really the best thing that could ever happen to the Spurs.

at how delusional your fanbase is. You cannot accept reality, ever. You couldn't accept that you lost legitimately in '04 or '08. It's always the refs, injuries, or some other BS card.

You yourself said that Ariza> Artest if the money is the same. I think its a downgrade as well, not a big one though. Lakers got a little bit worse (by how much we ll see come November), but if the offseason ended today you guys would still be clear favourites. The majority of people here realize that.

[Streakyshooter08]

I really think Artest will help the Lakers. All it comes down to is:

1. Is he able to keep his head straight?
2. Is he able to accept being the 3rd option?

All in all I think this is a medium risk high reward move. I agree that he is not the fastest on the defensive end and he sometimes takes ill-advised shots. But if he can control his shot selection and his head he really is a good signing for the Lakers. Especially for the MLE!

That said, I really thinks it comes down to Odom. If he stays the Lakers will be the favorites once again to win the West. If he leaves it is another story. That would mean you "traded" Odom/ Ariza for Artest. Right now it looks like he stays, so imo the Lakers just became better.

[kobyz]

damn that sucks! now the championship hope are over, that close the story on who will win the le, the only question left open is if the Lakers will break the 70 win record of the Bulls.

[venitian navigator]

I really think Artest will help the Lakers. All it comes down to is:

1. Is he able to keep his head straight?
2. Is he able to accept being the 3rd option?

All in all I think this is a medium risk high reward move. I agree that he is not the fastest on the defensive end and he sometimes takes ill-advised shots. But if he can control his shot selection and his head he really is a good signing for the Lakers. Especially for the MLE!

That said, I really thinks it comes down to Odom. If he stays the Lakers will be the favorites once again to win the West. If he leaves it is another story. That would mean you "traded" Odom/ Ariza for Artest. Right now it looks like he stays, so imo the Lakers just became better.

The point is that if they don't re-sign Odom, they've basically only the LLE and minimum contracts to fill their roster....that means not so valuable players.
Also in this "small" market a lot of teams are capable to offer Odom not only the MLE (like us) but a lot more than the MLE...(Phoenix?)...

Whot I still don't understand is why Ariza decided to take the some amount of money (MLE) probably already offered by the Lakers from another team.... maybe it's been a decisions of both teams....lakers see Artest like a win now player, Houston, with the actual ming/mcgrady problems, more win in the future....