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Nice article....I think Ariza isn't lying when he explains why he went to Houston. They're already making loads more money than most people, you never know. He sure is giving up alot by going to Houston.
(I would have stayed in LA).
Rockets’ desire enough for Ariza
By Jonathan Feigen - Houston Chronicle
HOUSTON — The Rockets offered Trevor Ariza the one thing the Lakers could not.
They did not offer a greater salary than the Lakers or Cavaliers and actually came in with an offer almost $9 million less than the Toronto Raptors. They certainly cannot claim the immediate chance to chase another le that would be come with a return to Los Angeles or jump to Cleveland.
The Rockets could, however, offer the one thing he needed most. They really, really needed him.
“I’m not a greedy person and the Lakers know I’m not a greedy person,” Ariza said. “You can see it in the way I play. I just want to play for a team that wants me, the team that gives me the chance to improve my game.
“I’m excited about it because I’m getting an opportunity to play. They were the team that showed the most interest in me, and that was all I wanted.”
With Ariza’s decision to accept the five-year deal worth roughly $33 million, the Rockets and Lakers effectively swapped free agents, with Ron Artest going to Los Angeles and Ariza going from triumph with the Lakers to opportunity with the Rockets.
“I’m a champion,” he said. “And I’m a Houston Rocket.”
The Rockets agreed to sign Ariza, 24, because of his potential to grow with them during the five years on his contract.
They want young, athletic, two-way players who can play an up-tempo style. And they don’t want to lock themselves into contracts that can’t be moved when stars are available.
Ariza would seem to define those characteristics. Finding a center who can fit the profile, and at the price they can pay, will be more difficult.
They viewed Marcin Gortat as a backup-level center and would not increase their offer beyond backup numbers.
That way of thinking should slow down the pursuit of a center. Rather than hoping to win a race for the centers available — led by Zaza Pachulia, Antonio McDyess, Ryan Hollins, Theo Ratliff, Channing Frye and Chris Wilcox — they likely will wait for their asking price to come down while they look for a trade.
Nice article....I think Ariza isn't lying when he explains why he went to Houston. They're already making loads more money than most people, you never know. He sure is giving up alot by going to Houston.
(I would have stayed in LA).
So if Kupchak said "please, we need you really really bad" enough times we could've had him for the minimum?
The Lakers son't deserve Ariza
Trevor FTMFW !!!!
"im not a greedy person"..then ing sign for the MLE . Trying to save face.
That was Lee trying to get more money from LA.
I don't know why athletes aren't more honest about wanting to get paid. This is their profession and if they do well....they should want to get paid.
I have no problem with that!
Ariza doesn't have to lie like that publicity and use the code words ( I wanted to be appreciated) cover himself.
Because if the Lakers would have offered 7-8 mil a year instead of MLE....he would still be a Laker.
Its not all about money, or did yal not see that he was offered 9 million more to go to toronto? I wont say money has nothing to do with it bc it does to a certain extent and to different athletes the reasons for leaving varies, some are more interested in money than others. My opinion is that Ariza is in between getting good money and playing somewhere where he is needed. As a person he seems like a down to earth guy so i would not be surprised if the majority of his decision is bc he wants to be appreciated, not all but most of it. I didnt like playing against him in that LA jersey but he will be very welcome in a Rocket jersey.
You guys need to stop hating on the guy, The fact is you would've signed artest over him even if he only demanded MLE.
hes a good kid, don't start hating him all of a sudden after he just helped you win a championship, he was your 3rd best player, your best player that wasn't an all star
Ariza will get a a lot more minutes with the Rockets than he ever got with LA.
Nobody hates Trevor; but let's be honest about the cir stances. He would have been a Laker if he had taken the MLE on the first day or if the Lakers had offered the $7-8 million he wanted.
It's just bad luck for David Lee's bluff that all of a sudden RonRon becomes available due to the 1 year offer from the Rockets.
The Lakers looked at Ron in one hand at MLE straight up and in the other hand they had Ariza's messy negotiations and said I'll see your 10 and raise you 20. CALL.
Leaving the Lakers was about money, joining the Rockets was about PT.
Appreciation = $
It's not like the MLE was chump change, but so be it. I hope it works out for Trevor, cuz he's a good dude. Everybody wants to get paid so I don't blame him. I'm just glad we're lucky enough to get an upgrade in Artest and most likely keep Odom too. Beautiful.
Trevor better work on his offensive game a little more, cuz Yao & TMac are about as dependable as George Bush is trustworthy.
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