[CyclonesRulzzz]

Originally Posted by brentblum

Lakers still the team to beat if they can re-sign Lamar now.

I think the Spurs will have something to say about that especially if they land Rasheed.

[jay moe]

I like the move. Especially since Ariza signed with Houston. Have never been a big Artest fan, but he will bring some toughness and energy to the Lakers. Next move is to keep Odom and things will be looking good again for next season.

[sunset]

Not sure what the Lakers are thinking on this one. When you win a championship the last thing you want to do is disrupt team chemistry.

[cycloneman003]

Ron Artest >>>>>>> Trevor Ariza........ BIG TIME

Ariza is a very good defender, Artest is a GREAT defender. Artest is a much better offensive player as well. As long as LA keeps Odom, they will walk through the Western Conference.

[djkent01]

Originally Posted by brentblum

Like others have mentioned, he fits a need as a defender against the Carmelo's, LeBron's, etc. He will be the fourth option on offense and can settle into being a spot up shooter (shot 40% this year from 3). He's a bit more polished at this point than Ariza and probably signed at a cheaper rate. Lakers still the team to beat if they can re-sign Lamar now.

I'm quite certain that Artest is humble enough and enough of a team player to become the defensive stopper and fourth offensive option.

[cycloneman003]

Originally Posted by djkent01

I'm quite certain that Artest is humble enough and enough of a team player to become the defensive stopper and fourth offensive option.

do you even know what you are talking about? thats been his role his entire career. Artest has always been the defensive stopper for teams, and has never been the primary offensive player for any team. and he wont be the 4th option like some have said. he'll be the third. it'll go Kobe, Pau, Artest, Bynum, Fisher..

[clones_jer]

Originally Posted by cycloneman003

do you even know what you are talking about? thats been his role his entire career. Artest has always been the defensive stopper for teams, and has never been the primary offensive player for any team. and he wont be the 4th option like some have said. he'll be the third. it'll go Kobe, Pau, Artest, Bynum, Fisher..

he was the primary option in Houston ... or thought he was at least.

Laker's are lucky he shot the ball everytime he touched it (and missed) or that series would have been even closer.

So what's the deal with Odom? Is he gonna sign or not? Will he have to take a pay cut now?

[djkent01]

Originally Posted by cycloneman003

do you even know what you are talking about? thats been his role his entire career. Artest has always been the defensive stopper for teams, and has never been the primary offensive player for any team. and he wont be the 4th option like some have said. he'll be the third. it'll go Kobe, Pau, Artest, Bynum, Fisher..

I don't know what I'm talking about - not in jest. All you young guys on this board get on and cite statistics, etc. I'm an old guy. I look at what guys have done for their teams, how they've filled their role (star or supporting), how they've made the team better, and whether the team met it's expectations.

Say what you want from a statistics perspective, but I've watched Artest repeatedly try to be the man when the team needed him to play his role - and he simply doesn't have the humility or lack of ego to do it.

For the record, I said the same thing about Moss, TO, and numerous other players over the course of their many trades and teams. But from a statistics perspective, I clearly don't know what I'm talking about. I'm not going to bother taking the time to decipher what a season's worth of statistics for a single player means to a team, especially a guy like Artest - especially for a guy like Artest. He killed Houston versus LA trying to be the man.

If you want to show me that you know what you're talking about, show me a single season where Artest's team has exceeded expectations. Just one. And he's how old now?

Talk to me again after the NBA championships next season. If the Lakers get there, it will be because of Jackson and Zen, not Artest.

[cycloneman003]

Originally Posted by djkent01

I don't know what I'm talking about - not in jest. All you young guys on this board get on and cite statistics, etc. I'm an old guy. I look at what guys have done for their teams, how they've filled their role (star or supporting), how they've made the team better, and whether the team met it's expectations.

Say what you want from a statistics perspective, but I've watched Artest repeatedly try to be the man when the team needed him to play his role - and he simply doesn't have the humility or lack of ego to do it.

For the record, I said the same thing about Moss, TO, and numerous other players over the course of their many trades and teams. But from a statistics perspective, I clearly don't know what I'm talking about. I'm not going to bother taking the time to decipher what a season's worth of statistics for a single player means to a team, especially a guy like Artest - especially for a guy like Artest. He killed Houston versus LA trying to be the man.

If you want to show me that you know what you're talking about, show me a single season where Artest's team has exceeded expectations. Just one. And he's how old now?

Talk to me again after the NBA championships next season. If the Lakers get there, it will be because of Jackson and Zen, not Artest.

.....????? i didnt even say anything about statistics. im talking about from watching him play, he shuts the opposing team's best player down, and he accepts whatever role he is given on offense. he has a hot head yeah, but its never directed towards teammates or his coaches.

any way you look at it, LA just got a lot bettr

[mwitt]

People thought it was a mistake when the Bulls got Rodman, too. Assuming Ron and Kobe don't kill each other, which it looked like they wanted to do in the playoffs, he will make that team better.