Artest To The Lakers
by Jeff Clark on Jul 2, 2009 8:03 PM EDT
in Rumors
67 comments
Artest, whose versatility and toughness have made him one of the most coveted and combustible players in the NBA, told CBSSports.com Thursday that he's signing with the Lakers.
"I'm definitely going to L.A. -- to sign, yeah," Artest said in a phone interview. "Lakers, Lakers, Lakers. I'm in L.A. right now."
"I don't really care about the money," Artest said. "I'll play there for nothing. ... L.A. was very interested in me, and they got me."
Well, that shifts the landscape a bit doesn't it? Feels like the theme of the offseason is The Rich Get Richer (in terms of big name talent). I wonder what this means for Odom and Ariza. I wonder who the Cavs will focus on next. In other news, it looks like Gortat is going to the Mavs. Still a lot of dominos left to fall.
At least one person, Kelly Dwyer, thinks it is a bad move for the Lakers:
The Lakers don't need him. His off-court palatables hardly matter. The Laker offense begs for players whose hands don't stick to the ball, and Ron's hands stick to the ball like no other. He's the wrong idea. He's a wasted face. He's the wrong choice.
Let that sink in.
He's the wrong choice.
Laker fans and bloggers are cautiously optimistic but pretty wary as well. This shakes up a championship dynamic. One pointed question: "If Phil Jackson can keep him in line, great. What about the next coach?"
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oh crap
we better get sheed
"It will be fun watching the Lakers get those balloons down one at a time." - Bill Russell
by silvershamrocker on Jul 2, 2009 8:07 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
what i wanna know
Is why didnt we go for Artest? or go for Odom?
"....you can't handle The Truth"
by kheeko on Jul 2, 2009 8:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
because he was going to LA all along apparently
Artest’s exuberance — he spent the whole summer in L.A., including several appearances at Lakers home games during the NBA Finals — got ahead of the process a bit. Other teams that made overtures for Artest — including the Cavaliers — have not yet been notified that Artest is signing with the Lakers. (Consider them notified.)
"We few, we happy few, we band of brothers" Henry V
by Jeff Clark on Jul 2, 2009 8:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
There have already been reports that Danny has Odom on his short list.
by guava_wrench on Jul 2, 2009 9:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
source? link?
don’t know what we could offer him except the MLE
"We few, we happy few, we band of brothers" Henry V
by Jeff Clark on Jul 2, 2009 9:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Marc Spears said on NEST a couple nights ago the Celtics had interest in Odom. That’s about as concrete as I’ve heard. Who knows where he is on the list. Personally I don’t think it’s likely—seems like the Lakers would pony up…then again I think they are already around $80M with this Artest signing, so who knows?
Actually I just checked hoopshype which has them at almost $77M without Artest. If they sign Odom for full MLE equivalent that’s going to put their roster close to $90M which with the luxury tax is well over $100M…hmm, frankly I don’t see that happening. Although I also can’t see Odom and Ariza leaving either…
by Berkcelt on Jul 2, 2009 9:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
odom won't go to Boston for MLE
period
by lakersbluedevil on Jul 3, 2009 1:39 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
not Odom hes probably staying with the lakers
I mean why didnt we go for Ariza?
"....you can't handle The Truth"
by kheeko on Jul 2, 2009 8:15 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Worst case possible
I’m not saying this makes the Lakers great or anything but Artest is a perfect fit in LA and now Ariza will go to Cleveland and he’s a better fit there then Artest would have been. This couldn’t have worked out worse.
by furball2323 on Jul 2, 2009 8:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Well, this is the Lakers and all, so I can understand the hesitancy. But I think we can all concede that this makes the Lakers fairly good.
by no kidding on Jul 2, 2009 8:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Net loss for the Lakers...
… if this means they lose Ariza.
Ariza: 24 years old vs. Artest 30 years old. Both are excellent defenders. But Artest is way overrated on offense – his playoff stats were just terrible – while Ariza’s offense was excellent, especially in the playoffs.
by DRJ1 on Jul 2, 2009 8:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
see my update with Kelly Dwyer's comments
he believes that Artest is a terrible fit on offense for them (in the triangle)
hope he’s right
"We few, we happy few, we band of brothers" Henry V
by Jeff Clark on Jul 2, 2009 8:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Couldn't agree more
Furthermore, Artest does NOT have the kind of personality that will mold to a new team’s style of play.
I think the Lakers were very happy with the team they had. But they realized that they’re probably gonna lose Ariza and felt they needed a replacement. Problem is, Artest is a bad choice, except on defense. Lakers were foolish not to court Ariza harder… he’s one of their best young players.
by DRJ1 on Jul 2, 2009 8:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
a few tidbits
From L.A.‘s side, they’re plugging Artest into Ariza’s role at small forward as a floor spacer, transition finisher and occasional inbound-pass stealer. In terms of stats, this works. At small forward, L.A. mostly needs a floor spacer, and as far as floor-spacing ability goes, Artest is superior to Ariza — he shot 39.9 percent on 3s last season, Ariza 31.9 percent.
Ariza shot much better in the postseason, but he’s at just 29.9 percent for his career. So although it’s possible he made a lasting improvement late last season, it’s at least as likely that he was just having a good month
by lakersbluedevil on Jul 3, 2009 1:42 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Kobe's MJ obsession continues
he gets his late career ride with the modern day Rodman
"We few, we happy few, we band of brothers" Henry V
by Jeff Clark on Jul 2, 2009 8:29 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
If only the Celtcs could somehow pay Iverson to go to the Lakers. Their locker room might explode after a week.
by no kidding on Jul 2, 2009 8:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think he gets his Scottie pipen
talking about dynasty ???
by themyth7 on Jul 2, 2009 9:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
if Ariza goes to Houston
then it all works out well for us. Cavs don’t get Artest or Ariza, Lakers replace Ariza with a ballhogging nutjob who has the potential to attack kobe. awesome!
by hpantazo on Jul 2, 2009 8:40 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
does Ariza really solve the Cavs issues?
do they need another defensive specialist that can’t create his own shot?
"We few, we happy few, we band of brothers" Henry V
by Jeff Clark on Jul 2, 2009 9:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree, but
do they really need Parker? Looks like they are going after him anyway
by hpantazo on Jul 2, 2009 10:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Rockets
just became a rebuilding team
Yao done (maybe)
McGrady will never be the same
Artest is gone
even Gortat spurned them
where do they turn now?
"We few, we happy few, we band of brothers" Henry V
by Jeff Clark on Jul 2, 2009 8:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
It shows how fast things can slip away… Better work on resigning Rondo.
by no kidding on Jul 2, 2009 8:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Bad news
This makes the Lakers WAY better.
Time to get to work Danny, and fast!
Remember kid, there's heroes and there's legends. Heroes get remembered but legends never die, follow your heart kid, and you'll never go wrong. - The Babe, The Sandlot
by Celtic on Jul 2, 2009 8:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Not bad news
this doesn’t make them better. he’s a poor fit in that system, and i doubt the lakers’ locker room is strong enough to keep him in line. either way, who cares! celtics are still gonna kick their ass!
- JoeB
by joeb on Jul 2, 2009 10:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That is all speculation
1) Kobe, Lamar, and Ron are all very good friends. It is more likely that the locker room situation will be amicable than hostile even given Ron’s history. Phil Jackson’s calm, zen and father-like demeanor is also good for a volatile player like Ron. Ron demonstrated this last year with Houston that he has matured a bit. He’s well aware that LA was a champion before he got there and if he does his part and doesn’t stir the pot too much could very well be a champion again.
2) Ron’s game has always involved ball domination that was almost Kobe-esque, but his numbers were not up there. Now he gets to play with Kobe. It’s hard to say he will fit in the system incredibly well ala Pau Gasol, but it’s equally hard to say he won’t fit in at all. Will Ron get as many shots as he’s used to? No. He will get open looks, especially three pointers which he is actually better at hitting than Ariza. He will also get opportunities to get the ball on the post and create shots, another thing Ariza never really did for the team. Sure Ron may choose not to change his game at all and still dribble around for 18 seconds and hoist up a running three now and then, but if you think he’s not going to adjust his game given the talent and history of this Laker team, you’re a bit delusional and too hopeful of a Laker hater in my opinion.
3) No speculation here: Ron Artest and Kobe Bryant will be a defensive perimeter force to be reckoned with. Guys like Paul Pierce who tore up the Lakers in the past won’t have such an easy time (no, Ariza could NOT guard PP or LBJ, etc.). Also…can Celtics fans still call the Lakers soft?
Either way this was a move the Lakers had to make and it was their best option to keep the team in position to repeat. I hope to see you Celtics in the finals, healthy as can be!
The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist.
by Justin N. on Jul 3, 2009 12:03 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Kobe, Lamar, and Ron are all very good friends.
Say what? Didnt you see Kobe and Ron going at it this year in the playoffs and trading barbs in the press??
They may get along fine and I don’t anticipate it being a problem but they arent “very good friends.”
by alskor on Jul 3, 2009 1:23 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
bad move
Ariza was a better fit, especially if his 3pt shooting was an improvement and not a fluke. I hope we can get Ariza for the MLE, since there are not many teams with more than the MLE it would be a good idea. See if you can move Rasheed in a S&T – it would make sense for the Pistons to get some expiring deals, since they used up all their cap space and don’t have MLE or LLE to add guys. Throw some cash to DET and a second rounder if need be. Ariza is an actual building block and not just a patch.
by Brendan on Jul 2, 2009 9:04 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Well that compensates for Ariza now, doesn't it?
God bless and good night!
by BrickJames on Jul 2, 2009 9:04 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Cleveland
…will make a play for Odom or Ariza
by Little D on Jul 2, 2009 9:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Mitch Kupchak > DA
At least he replaces his Posey by upgrading his championship team !
by themyth7 on Jul 2, 2009 9:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Ariza would be perfect for the Cs...
… who are looking for someone to spell PP. But he’s undoubtedly too expensive for Boston, if he was too much for LA. Fuhgetaboutit.
Still… imagine if the Cs added Sheed and Ariza. Hello! (I’d even give up Ray to make that happen.)
by DRJ1 on Jul 2, 2009 9:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Ariza needs to get a big contract. He hasn’t had his big payday yet. He should go to whoever gives him the best contract.
by guava_wrench on Jul 2, 2009 9:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He wants to start
Don’t think Ariza will settle for a backup role, even for a contender like the Celtcis.
by wincelticswin on Jul 2, 2009 10:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wojo says...
Trevor Ariza is nearing a decision, a source close to the talks tells Y! Sports. Three teams: Houston leads Cleve and a late Portland bid
"We few, we happy few, we band of brothers" Henry V
by Jeff Clark on Jul 2, 2009 9:32 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
go to Houston! (or Portland)
"We few, we happy few, we band of brothers" Henry V
by Jeff Clark on Jul 2, 2009 9:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If the $$ is equal, I think Ariza will choose Portland. The Rockets has become a lottery team (or close to one) overnight, and the Blazers is definitely on the rise.
by wincelticswin on Jul 2, 2009 10:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
And they thought Rudy F. was ticked off with the turkoglu offer, lol
by Berkcelt on Jul 2, 2009 10:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Can you say frontal lobotomy?
Unless they give him one – Ronnie is overdue for a meltdown….pass the nuts please
Is it Soup Yet?
by Master Po on Jul 2, 2009 9:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
lol well put
"We few, we happy few, we band of brothers" Henry V
by Jeff Clark on Jul 2, 2009 9:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Very Funny
He’s definitely a major league whack job!!
- JoeB
by joeb on Jul 2, 2009 10:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
its going to be interesting watching pierce and artest go at it
by robi s on Jul 2, 2009 9:42 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Great pickup for the Lakers
Kind of a risk – Artest loves to have the ball in his hands, and its certainly possible he could clash badly with Kobe. Also, he’s replacing Ariza AND Odom… so its not a huge upgrade.
Still, I cant characterize this as anything but a coup for the Lakers. Bold, great move. A lot of teams would go safe coming off a title (like we did), but Kupchak is trying to shoot the moon. I like it for them… hate it for us.
by alskor on Jul 2, 2009 9:43 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Kupchak went all in with this
This is either gonna make the Lakers insanely good or it’s gonna screw with their chemistry and/or efficiency something fierce. I think the Lakers F.O. probably looked at the Cavs with LeBron, the C’s with Pierce, the Nuggets with Melo and the Magic with Vince and thought they needed to add a bulkier defender than Ariza, and that is definitely Artest. Artest also can score in ways that could mesh perfectly with the Lakers, as his post offense is fantastic, and he’s a 3-pt threat when he’s left alone.
Of course, the problems with Artest are all mental, namely he has control issues and has a tendency to play like a moron frequently. Rather than work within the offense, he will often just try to do it all himself; and rather than take the ball down low where it’s near impossible to find someone who’s got the size and strength to defend him there at the SF position, instead he prefers to create 3-pt shots off the dribble. He also has shown a proclivity to be a guy who needs the ball in his hands and who is can be a volume shooter.
It will all be up to the Laker coaches and players (namely Kobe) to try to get Artest to realize that he should mainly just defend, set up in the post when he’s got a smaller guy on him, and spot up for wide open looks on the perimeter when he’s got them. If the Lakers can get Artest to do all that, then they’re going to be nearly impossible to beat. If they can’t get control of him, then they’re definitely not gonna repeat.
Odds are good the Lakers will re-sign Odom as he’s said repeatedly he’d take less to stay in LA, and there’s few teams out there who could offer him more than the MLE to leave anyway (which LA would surely match). There’s still a slim possibility the Lakers could even re-sign Ariza, but that would probably only happen if the market of teams looking to offer him the MLE suddenly dried up and he was left with offers more in the $3m/yr range, which is incredibly doubtful. Still, signing Artest does limit Ariza’s bargaining strength somewhat as he can’t really use the Lakers anymore to drive up his price.
by WildYams on Jul 2, 2009 10:16 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Artest will improve the Lakers defense. He is a hardnose defender. But someone in the Lakers locker room must convince Artest he is not the first or even second option in offense.
by wincelticswin on Jul 2, 2009 10:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
the rich get richer. who is artesr kidding? he would go to la for nothing. maybe he should talk to gov. arnold about playing for nothing. if sheed were smart and he is, he would come to boston and play with his fellow fogies- who still would have a run in them.
by nazzbo on Jul 2, 2009 10:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Somehow, I think that line of thinking will appeal to Wallace. He’s a contrarian.
by no kidding on Jul 2, 2009 10:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The rich are getting richer and we are running to catch up with the train that has already left the station.
I sense from a few bloggers that that since Artest didnt even look our way : He is not as good as Ariza; he is a head case; he will not mesh chemistrywise with the Lakers, yarayarayara. Since he publicly said money was not the motivating factor, that means that he didnt choose not to consider the Celtics because we didnt offer him enough. He just wasnt interested in playing for us. Our own problem is that we are offering our aging prospect only 2 years. We are running the risk of not having neither the cow nor the rope to tie the cow. And we THINK that we are going to win it all with whats on board?
by Reyquila on Jul 2, 2009 10:42 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I cant believe people are trying to convince themselves this doesnt make LA better
or course it does
by orr on Jul 2, 2009 10:46 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I agree. I wouldn’t be surprised if Artest is ready to adapt his game to whatever’s necessary to win a title and vindicate himself. (But I hope I’m wrong.)
by no kidding on Jul 2, 2009 10:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
artest not as good as ariza?????????
whoa…i totally understand fanboy cutlure.
then there is just silliness.
when i heard last night ariza might be going, i already knew artest was on the way. perfect addition for lakers…we needed a banging body and got it. he is a jump shooter priamrily that is pefect fit on the wing for the triangle…do you watch our games…that is the exact whole ariza played but artest has better defense and Artest, for better or worse, looks up to Kobe, always has. he will play Jackson’s game. we were good no we’re really good.
by lakersbluedevil on Jul 2, 2009 10:58 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Better the Lakers than the Cavs
If the Lakers resign Odom, they’re definitely better now. If not, it’s a wash.
by Brickowski on Jul 3, 2009 12:19 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Absolutely. Better Artest joins LA than Cleveland.
by Who on Jul 3, 2009 8:13 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
What a Trade... High Risk/High Reward...
Look at the teams going for the ring.
CAVS: Shaq replaces old guy
MAGIC: Vince replaces Hedo
SPURS: Add Jefferson & a top rookie from PITT
LAKERS: Artest replaces Ariza.
CELTICS: (? Add ’Sheed?)
Hey Celtic fans,
I do follow the Lakers, but I am actually objective (no really…)
If you guys save Garnett, Pierce & Allen’s legs for the Playoffs you guys are still the team to beat in the East! Stop worrying about Lebron & Dwight! They have like one other player who can compete at the playoff level. You still got Powe, and just got to control Rondo – and tell him to add a more consistent 3…
You guys just need to get ’Sheed. Yeah, he is the Artest of the East, but what other near 7footer you know of has a consistent 3? He can draw the opposing teams big man. Good deal for you guys.
Then again, if ’Sheed goes to the Spurs… oh, oh… for BOTH the CELTS & LAKERS.
I mean, common if Spurs get ‘sheed
1. Parker
2 or 3 Jefferson or Manu (interchangable)
4 ??? they just need rebounding & D here…
5 Tim/’Sheed
But if you got him…
1. Rondo
2. Allen/Star
3. Pierce/Powe
4 Garnett/Davis
5 ’Sheed.
Now you can see something special there… the fact that Kevin still has enough speed to play PF & guard the perimeter will be a killer for the opposing teams.
Lakers (their best D line up would be):
1. Brown 2. Kobe 3. Artest 4. L.O. 5. Bynum
or more size…
1. Kobe 2. Artest 3. L.O. 4. Gasol 5. Bynum
Again if you don’t get ’sheed, believe me, who else does the CAVs & MAGIC have to score AND play D.
2010 will be a special year… multiple elite teams
West: Lakers, Spurs, Blazers
East: Celtics, Magic, Cavs
I still remember when ’Sheed was a free agent leaving Portland. I wanted Buss to grab him to back up Shaq or play with Shaq. But the Lakers let him go to Detroit… Spurs prevent the 4-peat and Detroit got a repeat…
Sorry, long winded… 2010 NBA FINALS: Celtics vs. Lakers/Spurs (if Spurs get ’Sheed)
Stop worrying… just sign ‘Sheed and it will be the 80’s all over again. Celtics/Lakers
by stucktrader on Jul 3, 2009 5:55 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Artest
The Lakers were very fortunate to win the championship in 09. Many things went their way. They caught a lot of breaks. Artest doesn’t change them that much or give then a better change of winning the title in 10. They will still be inconsistent. I think Laker fans might be getting their hopes up a little to much at this point.
by ramana on Jul 3, 2009 10:18 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Two articles in LA Times both say this is a mistake
I disagree esp. if the re-sign Odom which they should.
by The Real Large James 2 on Jul 3, 2009 12:25 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
How about this post from alskor
“Say what? Didnt you see Kobe and Ron going at it this year in the playoffs and trading barbs in the press??
They may get along fine and I don’t anticipate it being a problem but they arent "very good friends."
Artest makes the Lakers better, end of story, I just wanna say that first of all before I directly reply to the quote. Artest is a great defender, great post maker when he feels like it, but can shoot the 3. Easily an upgrade over Ariza, don’t kid yourself otherwise. This also assumes Odom doesn’t come back, and as far as I’m concerned, that’s up in the air.
Secondly, to reply directly to alskor, don’t you think Kobe of all people would sign off to this? Don’t you THINK Kobe and the front office remember his and Artest’s confrontation? Come on man. You know this isn’t happening if Kobe doesn’t want it. The Lakers are better, don’t fall for this “he’s a head case, he’ll ruin the chemistry”. I bet people said the same thing about the Rockets, and it’s a fair argument to say Yao and T-Mac won’t try to put people in their places in the locker room like Kobe will. Regardless, the Rockets seemed to do well, especially in the playoffs, until the injury bug crippled them. On top of that, Artest knows that he’s going to the defending champions, and that they have a very good shot of at least getting back to the NBA Finals.
Yes, Kobe and Ron seem to be buddies, and I’ll ask you and everyone else to get back to me on this on the slight chance that Kobe says publicly he’s not on board.
by Tai on Jul 3, 2009 2:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Ariza replaces T-mac ``
is that possible ?
Go see Obama ~~
by sugarray on Jul 3, 2009 11:40 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
LOOOOK
at all the fans tryna find something negative in this signing
it’s okay to feel vulnerable
by cOOkies 4 cUddy on Jul 4, 2009 2:51 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
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