You Serious? The Rich Get Richer

[The Messenger]

There's no denying Ariza had a fine playoff, but does one playoff equal a huge contract?
Before the playoffs, Ariza was seen as nothing more than a young journeyman.
Who's to say he won't revert back to that next year?
Artest is a proven player and a defensive force.
My gut tells me Ariza is gonna be a huge bust in Houston. Anyone can look good getting the open shots he got, thanks to all the attention on Bryant. Let's see what happens to Ariza when he's the focus of those double-teams ... because without Yao Ming, Artest and likely McGrady, he's going to be the only focus of the opposition D.

I doubt teams throw double teams at Ariza lol. He's not great on offense and people are seriously over-hyping him. His offensive game is comparable to Shane Battier at best right now.

In a couple of years, with Ariza's work ethic and the 110% effort he shows on the court every night, he might be able to have the offensive game of a third teir player like a Lamar Odom or Rudy Gay, but that's 3-4 years down the line imo.

Ariza is getting the same money in Houston that LA offered him, right? I think the whole "Ariza is selfish" thing is bullshit. To make it to the NBA you have to have some sort of ego, you are in the top 300 of what you do in the entire planet. Every NBA player wants two things to complete their career; a championship and to be known as a great player. Ariza accomplished the first, now he's working on the latter and Houston gives him a better chance at accomplishing that than LA does.

I'm pretty sure professionals like Kobe, Gasol, Fisher, Phil Jackson, etc understand his decision.

 

[Sean]

LAKER HATER HERE :bolt:










jk

 

[Bmore]

lame

 

[BossMyShiiUp24]

Lakers had to do this. It's really hard to repeat with the same exact team, and Artest changes that. The lakers now no longer have a toughness problem. Most likely they will face Boston in the Finals (if they get sheed and stay healthy). Garnett likes to be get under player skins and Artest will get right back in his face. This move is really good if you think about it. Lakers repeat, time for another lil wayne kobe song lol

 

[Vinsane]

I laugh when I hear Artest + Lakers = Repeat.

The Lakers road to the finals was not easy this year. They almost were usurped by a weakened Houston team that was literally playing on one foot. Pun intended. San Antonio wasn't healthy enough to pull themselves out of the first round so a weak Dallas team met the Nuggets. The Nuggets inexperience showed in the WCF and the Lakers went on to win convincingly against the Orlando Magic.

Enter a healthy San Antonio and the Lakeshows trip to the Finals is a mountain, not a speed bump.

 

[Archer]

LOL at people who think Artest and Kobe don't get along....go do your research and keep the Laker Hate going...

Now,Ariza was a complete dumb ball for letting his agent try and muscle the Lakers.Now he goes to a crappy team. Enjoy your money in lottery land.

Finally Kobe has the sidekick with a killer mentality just like him,I can't wait for next season! GO LAKE SHOW!

Ariza accepted the same deal from Houston as he was offered and rejected in LA.

He wanted to be the number 1 option at a team , which in LA he could never be .

He wanted to try and be the star of a team which in LA he could never be

Can you blame him for wanting either of that?

I think he will be a little out of his depth but you cant blame a guy for aiming for the top

 

[Kuzzy Powers]

Ariza accepted the same deal from Houston as he was offered and rejected in LA.

He wanted to be the number 1 option at a team , which in LA he could never be .

He wanted to try and be the star of a team which in LA he could never be

Can you blame him for wanting either of that?

I think he will be a little out of his depth but you cant blame a guy for aiming for the top

Its just weird cause indications were he just wanted his pay-day.. and you'd think staying on a championship team would've been appealing. Lakers aint complaining tho.. aslong as Ron Ron aint gonna be chucking the fit will be great.. but I cant wait to see Kobe's reaction after Ron chucks up a terrible 3 early in the shot clock a few times in a game.

 

[Archer]

Its just weird cause indications were he just wanted his pay-day.. and you'd think staying on a championship team would've been appealing. Lakers aint complaining tho.. aslong as Ron Ron aint gonna be chucking the fit will be great.. but I cant wait to see Kobe's reaction after Ron chucks up a terrible 3 early in the shot clock a few times in a game.

Well them indications were wrong it would seem if he accepted the same deal at Houston

Im pressuming that Houston told him hed be one of the "go to guys" instead of staying in LA and being a "sidekick" at best.

Houston may have told him that they are planning on attacking FA a bit in 2010 if they could get somebody like Tmac off their books for example.

Of course the last bit i said is pure speculation

 

[Kuzzy Powers]

Well them indications were wrong it would seem if he accepted the same deal at Houston

Well, yeah, thats why its weird. Maybe Ariza wasnt as happy in LA as one might think. Or maybe he sees this as an opportunity to develop into an All-Star as you said. Strange move on his behalf regardless, if the financials were indeed the same.

 

[Archer]

Well, yeah, thats why its weird. Maybe Ariza wasnt as happy in LA as one might think. Or maybe he sees this as an opportunity to develop into an All-Star as you said. Strange move on his behalf regardless, if the financials were indeed the same.

I can only pressume that its because he wants to be an all-star "go to guy" or Houston has told him that they are going to be bringing in new faces and he will be one of the main guys on the team and not just a "sidekick" type role

Otherwise it makes 0 sense if the money is indeed the same