Ron Artest To Sign With Lakers

[buzzy]

http://www.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entr ... 3/15861966

Gawd, I love this time of the year. Lakers repeat anyone?

[Lamrock]

Meh. they lose Ariza and get an older player that takes way more shots. Lateral move unless Kobe gets injured.

[Hedonist]

Wow! Ariza out then?

The article is kind of funny :

Shaq can have LeBron. Ron Artest says he'll take Kobe.

Uhm... shouldn't that be the other way around?

"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."

I hope no repeat by the way. Cavs - Lakers 4-3 would be nice.

[Lamrock]

I think adding Artest will harm their offensive chemistry. He's a talented player no doubt, and the Lakers will own in 2K10, but I don't know if he and Kobe could co-exist.

[Brave Sir Rubin]

I'd rather have Odom.

Artest has an attitude problem and his offensive game is rather overrated.

[shadowgrin]

Phil Jackson has dealt with headcases before (Rodman, Kobe) and made them focus. He can do it again with Artest.

[Lamrock]

Pretty sure LA is keeping Odom. Artest could end up signing for the minimum.

[AMenace]

Houston are fucked if Yao ends up missing the season.

Artest nearly carried the rockets to an upset over the lakers.

Yeah, lets hope the cavs win the championship next year!!!!!

[Its_asdf]

Meh. they lose Ariza and get an older player that takes way more shots. Lateral move unless Kobe gets injured.

I wouldn't think so. I think Ariza's defense is a little overrated especially after those two big steals against Denver. He's a good up and coming defensive player don't get me wrong, but Artest at this point seems like a way better defensive stopper with more experience.

You could also say that Artest is a pretty big bonehead on offense, but I don't think it would be too big of a problem given the circumstances he's going into. He'll be around with guys like Phil and Kobe who will probably do their fair share of policing a headcase like Artest. I also think that Artest was forced to shoulder a bit too much of the offensive load for the Rockets during the playoffs which resulted in his terrible shot selection.

[Jackal]

Hmm, that's a bit bittersweet to hear. I really liked Ariza, he's made a fan out of me. He's humble, hardworking and plays for the team. Can't ask for anything more in a player.

Anyways, hope he gets paid well where ever he lands up.

On the Artest signing:

I like it, he's got amazing strength, I think he will match up well against LeBron James if they were to meet in the Finals. I think that Lamar will be returning too, it's an added bonus that Odom & Artest are friends. I like the team the way it looks at the moment. Everyone knows of my man-crush on Odom...so I'm looking forward to the season.

[Angelo]

Now IF they really sign this guys then Lakers team will be a tough team to beat

[Modifly]

This is a big plus for the Lakers.

I think the Rockets will have a terrible 09-10 season.

[AMenace]

You said that right!!!!!

[Modifly]

I had to force myself to say that.

Anyway, time for rebuilding. At least make Aaron Brooks the core now goddamnit.

Artest was actually close to reaching an agreement on a contract extension last week with the Rockets, but those plans were thrown into uncertainty when Houston learned that center Yao Ming's injured foot wasn't healing at all, and might keep him out for part or all of next season. Not knowing Yao's short-term or long-term future with the Rockets made them less enticing to Artest, even though Houston could, and did, offer him more money to stay.

That just adds to the misery.

[Lamrock]

Tracy McGrady time!

[Modifly]

I hope that's the way it goes but he probably wont be back until 20 games into the season. In addition, acknowledging that the Rockets wont have both Yao and Artest next season which will lead to a disastrous 09-10 season, T-Mac wont be motivated to play either and will probably take more time to rehab.

I wonder what will happen and what people will say IFT-Mac makes a full recovery back and average 20+ points again. I still believe.


On another note, this is from Ron Artest's twitter page:

IT WAS HARD TO KNOW HOUSTON DID NOT OFFER ME A GOOD DEAL. BUT IT IS ALL GOOD. I STILL GOT LOVE FOR THEM.

Weird of him to say that. Houston actually offered more money than LA did because LA can only offer a mid level exception. I thought it was Yao's absence that changed his mind.

[Mayerhendrix]

artest's attitude problems are way overblown. really, he had a good year in houston and he ought to be credited for playing relatively under-the-radar the last few seasons.

[Modifly]

Exactly, his ejections in the Rockets-Lakers series are based upon his reputation too, which is unfair. He's been a good boy for the past few seasons and he only had 4 technicals last season.

[dada]

Very good way to counter the impending loss of Ariza by signing a beast in Artest. If he buckles down, plays solid D and continues to hit those threes I will have no complaints. He wont be dominating the ball on the perimeter as much and will get a few more touches closer to the basket in Los Angeles. Looking forward to next season.

[Valor]

Everyone knows of my man-crush on Odom...so I'm looking forward to the season.

me and you have something in common here

[bee-boy]

Glad lakers got ron but kinda upset they wouldn´t pay Trevor though.

[Andrew]

Definitely an interesting situation with Artest and Ariza essentially switching places. On paper, the Lakers certainly look formidable and the duo of Kobe and Artest on the wings could be lethal at both ends of the floor. Still, the 2004 Lakers looked pretty formidable too but it ultimately blew up in their faces. There's a fine line between many hands making light work and too many cooks spoiling the broth.

[kingjames23]

kobe = poor man's jordan
artest =poor man's rodman
odom = poor man's pippen
fisher bynum gasol > the rest of jordan's supporting cast
lakers new dynasty = poor man's bulls dynasty part 2

[Andrew]

I wouldn't go that far. I still place Michael Jordan above everyone else to date but to say Kobe's a poor man's Jordan isn't giving him enough credit. He's established himself as one of the greats in his own right.

[Modifly]

Jordan is great in Jordan's way and Kobe is great in Kobe's way. End of story.