It should be "The Ron Artest Interactive Fan Experience is coming to The City of Celebratory Post-Championship Rioting.

"

/should have been paying more attention

IMO, a great move. He would be my top choice to replace Ariza (who I'd have preferred). He's mellowed out as he ages, and Kobe will love him. He can be Rodman to Kobe's Jordan.

Do you get to throw beer at him and exchange punches, or am i thinking of the wrong player?

Good move by the Lakers.

Hey, if you want to pay me for the Ron Artest experience I will be happy to punch you in the face.

DamnYankees: IMO, a great move. He would be my top choice to replace Ariza (who I'd have preferred). He's mellowed out as he ages, and Kobe will love him. He can be Rodman to Kobe's Jordan.

except that Artest in his prime wasn't anywhere near good as a poor man's rodman on offense, defense, or on the boards. I can vaguely remember Artest bricking every 3 pointer he took for the rockets in the 2nd round.

epyonyx
Right guy, wrong fans. Laker fans don't care enough to throw beer at Ron-Ron.

Goldeneye007: except that Artest in his prime wasn't anywhere near good as a poor man's rodman on offense, defense, or on the boards. I can vaguely remember Artest bricking every 3 pointer he took for the rockets in the 2nd round.

The Lakers don't need him to be as good as Rodman. They have Pau and Bynum also.

And Ariza to take the same money to pay for Houston?

Ariza might want to fire his agent now.

NotEric: And Ariza to take the same money to pay for Houston?

Ariza might want to fire his agent now.

You'd have to assume he will get more form Houston. If he doesn't he's a massive idiot.

I like this move for the Lakers. Losing Ariza was going to take a shot at the Laker D but replacing him with Artest will still keep us solid on D.

/Will still miss Ariza

DamnYankees: NotEric: And Ariza to take the same money to pay for Houston?

Ariza might want to fire his agent now.

You'd have to assume he will get more form Houston. If he doesn't he's a massive idiot.


Yesterday on ESPN they were saying the cavs/rockets were offering the same as the Lakers, but he would have rather played for the cavs because he felt insulted that the Lakers wouldnt offer him more.

Thats crazy.

In the end I still think he will get more..and if not..im with you..he is a massive idiot.

Stroke_N_Focus: Yesterday on ESPN they were saying the cavs/rockets were offering the same as the Lakers, but he would have rather played for the cavs because he felt insulted that the Lakers wouldnt offer him more.

Thats crazy.

In the end I still think he will get more..and if not..im with you..he is a massive idiot.

He is aware the Lakers just dont have that money, right? I mean, is it really that hard to put yourself in someone elses shoes?

DamnYankees: Stroke_N_Focus: Yesterday on ESPN they were saying the cavs/rockets were offering the same as the Lakers, but he would have rather played for the cavs because he felt insulted that the Lakers wouldnt offer him more.

Thats crazy.

In the end I still think he will get more..and if not..im with you..he is a massive idiot.

He is aware the Lakers just dont have that money, right? I mean, is it really that hard to put yourself in someone elses shoes?



I guess it is for him. But now with artest i think keeping odom is a MUST.

I havent seen anyone talking to LO yet so im guessing we can keep him..or at this point we WILL keep him?

Stroke_N_Focus: I guess it is for him. But now with artest i think keeping odom is a MUST.

I havent seen anyone talking to LO yet so im guessing we can keep him..or at this point we WILL keep him?

I think this means for sure they will keep him. There's no reason not to. The problem was they couldn't keep both Odom and Ariza unless Ariza accepted the MLE. Well, we spent the MLE on Artest. So I imagine Odom should be fine.

Definitly looking like Lakers or Spurs to win next year.

Bill Frist: Definitly looking like Lakers or Spurs to win next year.

Pretty sure Cavs fans object.

DamnYankees: Stroke_N_Focus: I guess it is for him. But now with artest i think keeping odom is a MUST.

I havent seen anyone talking to LO yet so im guessing we can keep him..or at this point we WILL keep him?

I think this means for sure they will keep him. There's no reason not to. The problem was they couldn't keep both Odom and Ariza unless Ariza accepted the MLE. Well, we spent the MLE on Artest. So I imagine Odom should be fine.

So does this mean LO off the bench again?

Fish
Kobe
Artest
Gasol
Bynum?

So many crazy pick ups have happen...next year is going to be even wilder...

Stroke_N_Focus: So does this mean LO off the bench again?

Him or Artest. They play the same position.

DamnYankees: Bill Frist: Definitly looking like Lakers or Spurs to win next year.

Pretty sure Cavs fans object.

Celtics too im sure..and magic..

I dont think Shaq makes the cavs a lock..if the celtics are healthy and so are the magic..the conf finals from both sides will be crazy next year.

I CANT WAIT.

Good thing NFL is coming up.

Stroke_N_Focus: I dont think Shaq makes the cavs a lock..if the celtics are healthy and so are the magic..the conf finals from both sides will be crazy next year.

Of course its not a lock. But they'll be in it. That Cavs did win 66 games this year and swept the first two rounds. They aren't going away.

DamnYankees: Stroke_N_Focus: So does this mean LO off the bench again?

Him or Artest. They play the same position.

Well..yeah haha im aware..

But i think it will still be LO off the bench...

unless artest is cool with it...prolly not.

Goldeneye007: except that Artest in his prime wasn't anywhere near good as a poor man's rodman on offense

lolwut.jpg

DamnYankees: Stroke_N_Focus: I dont think Shaq makes the cavs a lock..if the celtics are healthy and so are the magic..the conf finals from both sides will be crazy next year.

Of course its not a lock. But they'll be in it. That Cavs did win 66 games this year and swept the first two rounds. They aren't going away.

Of course..neither are the Magic or Celtics (if they stay healthy)....thats my point.

Its going to be a crazy year next year..i look foward to it.

But there are more moves to be made with some big free agents out there...so who knows how things will look before the season starts.

DamnYankees: Bill Frist: Definitely looking like Lakers or Spurs to win next year.

Pretty sure Cavs fans object.

Not buying it. Spurs with Rasheed or another key piece look killer. Lakers obviously. Celtics could be back in full force and might get Wallace.

I think Shaq is just too old to put them over the top.

ZoSo_the_Crowe: Goldeneye007: except that Artest in his prime wasn't anywhere near good as a poor man's rodman on offense

lolwut.jpg

lol I was thinking the same thing. Unless he ment setting screens or getting O rebounds.

Bill Frist: Not buying it. Spurs with Rasheed or another key piece look killer. Lakers obviously. Celtics could be back in full force and might get Wallace.

I think Shaq is just too old to put them over the top.

They don't need very much to get over the top. I think if you just replayed this years playoffs 10 times, they would win the title 4 times. They are right there. I don't buy the idea that every team which fails to win the title needs to make big changes.

Cavs are going to be alot of fun to watch next year. I mean shaq is shaq..and king james...

Anytime they play the Lakers or maybe even the Heat its going to have a side story.

DamnYankees: They don't need very much to get over the top. I think if you just replayed this years playoffs 10 times, they would win the title 4 times. They are right there. I don't buy the idea that every team which fails to win the title needs to make big changes.

Do not agree. Replay 10 times maybe they make the finals 4 or 5 times but maybe the win the whole thing once.

It is a bit early, but depending on health and moves the Cavs could easily look like the fifth best team. You can win being the fifth best, but it is pretty rare in the NBA. Normally one of the top 3 teams wins.

DamnYankees: I think if you just replayed this years playoffs 10 times, they would win the title 4 times.

The 2009 Cavs would beat the 2009 Lakers exactly zero out of ten times. When the Lakers played the Cavs it was PAINFULLY obvious that if you take Kobe and Lebron off the floor, the Lakers were FAR superior.

Keep in mind this is basketball, not football or baseball. THe underdog rarely wins int he NBA. When the season starts, you already know the 4 teams or so who have any shot at winning and barring injury you probably know the best team after two months.

Basically confirmed that Ariza is taking the same money with Houston. David Lee (his and Bynum's agent) tried the bluff and it failed.

Odom will be on the bench for either Gasol or Bynum as he was during the year. (Artest will be backed up by Walton)

All I can hope for now is getting Odom and Brown locked up, dumping Morrison's contract, and hopefully finding a cheaper substitute for Walton or Sasha.

DamnYankees: IMO, a great move. He would be my top choice to replace Ariza (who I'd have preferred). He's mellowed out as he ages, and Kobe will love him. He can be Rodman to Kobe's Jordan.

i don't remember Rodman ever chucking up bad three-point shot after bad three-point shot... (well, there was that one Spurs playoff game).

this isn't Artest from five years ago. this is an older, banged-up Artest. the only thing i see him doing better than Ariza is posting people up. otherwise he's not a better defender these days, he dominates the ball, he has poor shot selection, and he's a nutbar.

and with Jackson wanting to limit his involvement this year who is going to run this circus? Rambis?

i think it's a downgrade and people are getting excited about a name rather than what he actually brings to the table.

Wombatzu: i don't remember Rodman ever chucking up bad three-point shot after bad three-point shot... (well, there was that one Spurs playoff game).

Artest shot 40% from three point land this year. 38% last year. So I don't know what you're talking about.

Odom will still come off the bench because Phil Jackson's strategy is to have at least two of the three bigs (Gasol, Bynum, Odom) on the court whenever possible to dominate the boards and plug up the paint. But Odom's pretty much like a Ginobili off the bench: he plays as many minutes as the starters and he's every bit as important as the starters.

ZoSo_the_Crowe: Odom will still come off the bench because Phil Jackson's strategy is to have at least two of the three bigs (Gasol, Bynum, Odom) on the court whenever possible to dominate the boards and plug up the paint. But Odom's pretty much like a Ginobili off the bench: he plays as many minutes as the starters and he's every bit as important as the starters.

True. It works out perfect for those games where Bynum fouls 2 times in the first 4 positions. Hopefully Bynum cleans that up a bit.

DamnYankees: Wombatzu: i don't remember Rodman ever chucking up bad three-point shot after bad three-point shot... (well, there was that one Spurs playoff game).

Artest shot 40% from three point land this year. 38% last year. So I don't know what you're talking about.

i guess i was talking about the playoffs in which he shot 27%

Ariza better hope Yao is only missing 1 year and not the rest of his career.

Wombatzu: he's not a better defender these days

Yes, he is. I say this as a big Ariza fan. Ariza is an excellent help defender but an average 1v1 defender at best, and was overwhelmed strength-wise at times by bigger SF's like Carmelo Anthony. That's not happening with Artest.

Wombatzu: he dominates the ball, he has poor shot selection

Not going to happen on Phil and Kobe's watch. Besides, without McGrady the Rockets NEEDED Artest's offense. On the Lakers his primary role is going to be shut-down defender. On offense his role should be similar to what Ariza's was: stretch out the defense and knock down wide-open threes created by the defense collapsing on Kobe and Gasol. He won't need to be taking ill-advised threes with hands in his face because he's going to be getting plenty of wide-open ones.

Wombatzu: and he's a nutbar.

He's behaved well in Sac and Houston. And if anyone can keep his headcaseyness in check, it's Phil Jackson, who kept Rodman mostly in check.

DamnYankees:
Artest shot 40% from three point land this year. 38% last year. So I don't know what you're talking about.

Some people are basing their opinions on the one playoff series they saw him in.

And yeah, Bynum needs to earn his inflated pay. Although he looked really good before the injury. They need to sit him when the Lakers play the Grizzlies.

Wombatzu: i think it's a downgrade and people are getting excited about a name rather than what he actually brings to the table.

u crazy. Artest is still a quality player while Ariza was inflated by the team he was on. Dude won't be good outside of the triangle with another team.

ZoSo_the_Crowe: Wombatzu: he's not a better defender these days

Yes, he is. I say this as a big Ariza fan. Ariza is an excellent help defender but an average 1v1 defender at best, and was overwhelmed strength-wise at times by bigger SF's like Carmelo Anthony. That's not happening with Artest.

Wombatzu: he dominates the ball, he has poor shot selection

Not going to happen on Phil and Kobe's watch. Besides, without McGrady the Rockets NEEDED Artest's offense. On the Lakers his primary role is going to be shut-down defender. On offense his role should be similar to what Ariza's was: stretch out the defense and knock down wide-open threes created by the defense collapsing on Kobe and Gasol. He won't need to be taking ill-advised threes with hands in his face because he's going to be getting plenty of wide-open ones.

Wombatzu: and he's a nutbar.

He's behaved well in Sac and Houston. And if anyone can keep his headcaseyness in check, it's Phil Jackson, who kept Rodman mostly in check.

Artest has a size advantage on Ariza and i can see how that would make him a better defender in some situations, but overall i think he has lost a step and has missed dozens of games the last few season due to injury.

and his size isn't going to help him stay in front of Richard Jefferson...

overall, i just don't understand the move. you just won a championship, why do you shuffle the deck and throw in a wild card?

Wombatzu: overall, i just don't understand the move. you just won a championship, why do you shuffle the deck and throw in a wild card?

you are asking why they got a better player for less money. Really?

Wombatzu: overall, i just don't understand the move. you just won a championship, why do you shuffle the deck and throw in a wild card?

Because Ariza wanted too much money. The Lakers didn't dump Ariza for no reason. They would have loved to have kept him.

Bill Frist: Wombatzu: i think it's a downgrade and people are getting excited about a name rather than what he actually brings to the table.

u crazy. Artest is still a quality player while Ariza was inflated by the team he was on. Dude won't be good outside of the triangle with another team.

Ariza has always shown huge potential. the only thing Isiah ever did well as a GM was draft. if Ariza gets 40 minutes a night in Houston he could come close to Shawn Marion type numbers.

i'm not saying that the Lakers have shot themselves in the foot; i just don' think it's the coup that so many Laker fans seem to think it is.

now Pau, that was coup... or a swindle or something.

Wombatzu: i think he has lost a step

The best shut-down defender in the league losing a step is still better than 99% of defenders.

Bill Frist: Wombatzu: overall, i just don't understand the move. you just won a championship, why do you shuffle the deck and throw in a wild card?

you are asking why they got a better player for less money. Really?

well, my point is that i don't think they got that much of a better player to justify the extra risk of injury and nuttiness and personality conflict.

i can't wait for the first time Kobe farks up on the court and screams at Artest for it...

Ariza (or his agent, depending on who you ask) felt insulted by the Lakers' offer of the MLE for 5 years.

So Ariza decides to go to Houston...at the MLE for 5 years.

Wombatzu: i can't wait for the first time Kobe farks up on the court and screams at Artest for it...

You haven't really watched Kobe in a few years, have you?

Wombatzu: Ariza has always shown huge potential.

This I agree with. I think he's going to be an all-star or first team all-league defense in the next few years. But he's not there yet. Experience aside Artest is a better player right now, then you throw in the experience and the fact you're getting him for the same price as Ariza, and yes, it is a coup.

DamnYankees: Wombatzu: i can't wait for the first time Kobe farks up on the court and screams at Artest for it...

You haven't really watched Kobe in a few years, have you?

i watched Kobe fark up, throw the ball out of bounds, and then scream at a teammate -- might have been Ariza come to think of it -- during the Magic series.

Wombatzu: i watched Kobe fark up, throw the ball out of bounds, and then scream at a teammate -- might have been Ariza come to think of it -- during the Magic series.

Well, that sure ended badly.

ZoSo_the_Crowe: Wombatzu: Ariza has always shown huge potential.

This I agree with. I think he's going to be an all-star or first team all-league defense in the next few years. But he's not there yet. Experience aside Artest is a better player right now, then you throw in the experience and the fact you're getting him for the same price as Ariza, and yes, it is a coup.

i can't call it a coup... i'll call it a high-risk/high-reward venture.

I'm not a lakers fan and I would'nt call this a coup, but it is a smart move and an upgrade.

I'm voting Sasha as most likely to get stabbed with a table leg next season.

Wombatzu: i watched Kobe fark up, throw the ball out of bounds, and then scream at a teammate -- might have been Ariza come to think of it -- during the Magic series.

I remember that play.

How do you know Ariza wasn't supposed to have been where Kobe threw the ball? You don't, and I don't.

If I had to guess whose fault it was, I'm going with the 24 year-old with little playing experience over the most fundamentally sound player in the history of the game.

DamnYankees: Wombatzu: i watched Kobe fark up, throw the ball out of bounds, and then scream at a teammate -- might have been Ariza come to think of it -- during the Magic series.

Well, that sure ended badly.

if he screams at Artest, it will end badly. if he doesn't scream at Artest, Artest dominates the ball or in some other way plays ball in Artest Land while the rest of the team is in Laker Land.

hey, it might be great, i dunno. i'm a Spurs fan, so i'm biased, but honestly it made me a little happy to see the Lakers take a chance and pick up Artest.

Wombatzu: i'm a Spurs fan

Cristiano Ronaldo called. He wanted to thank Ginobili, saying he's consciously emulating him every time he dives to the grass and cries out in fake pain like a sissy. He's even given Ginobili game tapes to the rest of the Portugese national team, and it shows!

Wombatzu: if he screams at Artest, it will end badly. if he doesn't scream at Artest, Artest dominates the ball or in some other way plays ball in Artest Land while the rest of the team is in Laker Land.

You don't really get Artest or Kobe. They are friends. They beat the crap out of each other, are insanely competitive, and get along. They are sort of a perfect match. Also, Kobe wouldn't yell at the guy. Kobe yells at young players who he feels are making stupid mistakes. Notice how he doesn't ever yell at Pau or Odom.

Oh, and contrary to popular belief, Tim Duncan has never committed a foul in his life. Just ask him.

/OK I'm done, I think.
//God I hate the Spurs.

I agree w/ the high risk/high reward consensus. Basically, if you had to replace Ariza w/ somebody, Ron Artest (sans insanity and haircut) is the best possible swap. This must have been brewing for awhile after the playoffs ended, b/c free agency started YESTERDAY. Nobody makes moves that fast. Now we HAVE to get LO back.

ZoSo_the_Crowe: Wombatzu: i'm a Spurs fan

Cristiano Ronaldo called. He wanted to thank Ginobili, saying he's consciously emulating him every time he dives to the grass and cries out in fake pain like a sissy. He's even given Ginobili game tapes to the rest of the Portugese national team, and it shows!

i don't follow hockey...

"even the Laker fans erupted with that one" (new window)

NotEric: I'm voting Sasha as most likely to get stabbed with a table leg next season.

GOD I hope so.

DamnYankees: Wombatzu: if he screams at Artest, it will end badly. if he doesn't scream at Artest, Artest dominates the ball or in some other way plays ball in Artest Land while the rest of the team is in Laker Land.

You don't really get Artest or Kobe. They are friends. They beat the crap out of each other, are insanely competitive, and get along. They are sort of a perfect match. Also, Kobe wouldn't yell at the guy. Kobe yells at young players who he feels are making stupid mistakes. Notice how he doesn't ever yell at Pau or Odom.

the key word root-word in that post is "insane"

like i said, it might work out great... i just think the circus potential went way up and i don't mind that at all.

I CAN'T COMMIT A FOUL I'M JESUS CHRIST. SEE THE HALO ABOVE MY HEAD?




I CAN'T TAKE A SHOT WITHOUT BEING FOULED HARD. SEE HOW I'M ABOUT TO FALL TO THE GROUND WITHOUT BEING TOUCHED? I WAS FOULED INVISIBLY.

/ok I'm really done now

Wombatzu: the key word root-word in that post is "insane"

like i said, it might work out great... i just think the circus potential went way up and i don't mind that at all.

Circus or not, they are both great players. I'd rather have Ron Artest than Richard Jefferson, I can tell you that.

Ariza has really only had the one big season. I think he has it in him to be great but his agent lost his mind to ask for $9 mil per year (and pretend he was getting these big money offers from unnamed teams) when all that was on the table was the same deal from LA, Cleveland, and Houston.

It all comes down to Ariza's agent trying to bluff and force the Lakers to increase their offer, until they decided to go with Artest, instead. Then you saw how quickly Ariza agreed to the Houston deal.

As a Celtics fan, this move scares me. Hopefully, Phil Jackson will give more control over the team to Rambis. We know how to handle him.

Palmer Eldritch: As a Celtics fan, this move scares me. Hopefully, Phil Jackson will give more control over the team to Rambis. We know how to handle him.

I heard they might let Rambis be the coach on road games in the regular season, in order to spare Jackson's health and help break Rambis in. Not a bad plan, I think.

DamnYankees: Palmer Eldritch: As a Celtics fan, this move scares me. Hopefully, Phil Jackson will give more control over the team to Rambis. We know how to handle him.

I heard they might let Rambis be the coach on road games in the regular season, in order to spare Jackson's health and help break Rambis in. Not a bad plan, I think.

That would be interesting.

I hope Phil sticks around..and if it takes us doing something like that...then id be happy.

DamnYankees: Palmer Eldritch: As a Celtics fan, this move scares me. Hopefully, Phil Jackson will give more control over the team to Rambis. We know how to handle him.

I heard they might let Rambis be the coach on road games in the regular season, in order to spare Jackson's health and help break Rambis in. Not a bad plan, I think.

Actually, Mitch Kupchak put the kibosh on it, and said Phil will be coaching all games if he comes back.

Person Of Interest: DamnYankees: Palmer Eldritch: As a Celtics fan, this move scares me. Hopefully, Phil Jackson will give more control over the team to Rambis. We know how to handle him.

I heard they might let Rambis be the coach on road games in the regular season, in order to spare Jackson's health and help break Rambis in. Not a bad plan, I think.

Actually, Mitch Kupchak put the kibosh on it, and said Phil will be coaching all games if he comes back.

wow, what if Phil doesn't come back and the Lakers are left with Rambis coaching Kobe and Artest? and Bynum and Pau feeling butthurt all the time because they never touch the ball? and then Fisher breaks his walker!

yeah.

Wombatzu: wow, what if Phil doesn't come back and the Lakers are left with Rambis coaching Kobe and Artest? and Bynum and Pau feeling butthurt all the time because they never touch the ball? and then Fisher breaks his walker!

yeah.

They'll be fine. I know you hope the Lakers self-destruct, but its not gonna happen. This is a really mature team. The only person on the team who is really "young" anymore is Bynum, and he's getting better each year. Sorry buddy - if you want to beat the Lakers, you're gonna have to do it due to execution and talent, not them imploding.

This headline makes me laugh every single time.

DamnYankees: Wombatzu: wow, what if Phil doesn't come back and the Lakers are left with Rambis coaching Kobe and Artest? and Bynum and Pau feeling butthurt all the time because they never touch the ball? and then Fisher breaks his walker!

yeah.

They'll be fine. I know you hope the Lakers self-destruct, but its not gonna happen. This is a really mature team. The only person on the team who is really "young" anymore is Bynum, and he's getting better each year. Sorry buddy - if you want to beat the Lakers, you're gonna have to do it due to execution and talent, not them imploding.

I think Bynum took a step backwards last year.

DamnYankees: Wombatzu: wow, what if Phil doesn't come back and the Lakers are left with Rambis coaching Kobe and Artest? and Bynum and Pau feeling butthurt all the time because they never touch the ball? and then Fisher breaks his walker!

yeah.

They'll be fine. I know you hope the Lakers self-destruct, but its not gonna happen. This is a really mature team. The only person on the team who is really "young" anymore is Bynum, and he's getting better each year. Sorry buddy - if you want to beat the Lakers, you're gonna have to do it due to execution and talent, not them imploding.

i don't think they'll implode (unless they implode) but i do think the level of execution on offense will go down with Ron Ron aboard.

i'm not saying the Lakers aren't still sitting pretty. they are. i just think it was odd thing to do, alienating Ariza and bringing in a wild card.

and if Phil decides he can't go, i really do think Ron Ron becomes an issue.

Ginobli seems like the one more in need of a walker these days.

Goldeneye007: I think Bynum took a step backwards last year.

It was the injury. He was playing amazingly well before he got hurt - he had a 42/15 game (granted it was against the Clippers). He just needs some health. And the Lakers are already good enough to win a title with him sucking. They don't need him to improve all that much for them to be a wrecking crew.

Wombatzu: i'm not saying the Lakers aren't still sitting pretty. they are. i just think it was odd thing to do, alienating Ariza and bringing in a wild card.

and if Phil decides he can't go, i really do think Ron Ron becomes an issue.

I really think you're just going off your memory of Artest from 5 years ago. He hasn't really done anything since he left Indiana. You'll notice a trend where people who are headcases early in their careers mellow out as they get older - Rodman, Iverson, now Artest. I'm not remotely worried about him, especially with someone like Kobe to keep him in line. Remember, Artest hasn't won a ring - so he'll be hungry for one and will stay disciplined. This isn't amatuer hour.

I think you should be more worried that your new shiny SF has never proven to do much of anything other than put up stats on bad teams.

Bynum was great before the injury. Like I said, don't let him play against the Grizzlies and they should be set.

And Ariza wouldn't sign with the Lakers. Went looking for a payday and it didn't work out. If Ariza refuses to sign then they have no choice but to seek out his replacement. Bonus is that neither player went to the Cavs.

Stroke_N_Focus: ZoSo_the_Crowe: Odom will still come off the bench because Phil Jackson's strategy is to have at least two of the three bigs (Gasol, Bynum, Odom) on the court whenever possible to dominate the boards and plug up the paint. But Odom's pretty much like a Ginobili off the bench: he plays as many minutes as the starters and he's every bit as important as the starters.

True. It works out perfect for those games where Bynum fouls 2 times in the first 4 positions. Hopefully Bynum cleans that up a bit.

And has been mentioned by many a commentator, Jackson has a specific set of 5 that finish nearly every game(barring injury), and Odom is one of those 5. Bynum isn't(for good reason), so he sits those last minutes and Gasol moves to 5.

Now honestly, I don't know if this pickup works. Basketball is about chemistry, not just skill/best player in the sport, and Artest has been cancerous in the past. The Bulls wouldn't have won if Pippen had acted like Iverson has in his career. Artest has to keep himself in check and play nice with Kobe. Will he be okay being the 3rd or 4th option on a daily basis on offense?

DamnYankees: It was the injury.

This. The past two seasons have been like mirror images for Bynum. He starts off great, gets in rhythm, then a major injury kills said rhythm, which he never recovers when he comes back.

I still think he has it in him to be very good if he can establish and maintain a rhythm for an entire season.

DamnYankees: Iverson

Yeah, that was a bad example dude. "I'd rather retire than come off the bench." Yeah.

bhcompy: Will he be okay being the 3rd or 4th option on a daily basis on offense?

Well he sure seems to like shooting the three, and he's gonna get plenty of WIDE OPEN ones playing with Kobe and Gasol... so I'm guessing yes.

NotEric: Ginobli seems like the one more in need of a walker these days.

hah. can't argue with that... at least he took the summer off. hopefully he'll average 15-20 minutes a game and be ready for the playoffs.

DamnYankees:
I think you should be more worried that your new shiny SF has never proven to do much of anything other than put up stats on bad teams.

what the hell has Artest ever done? i'm pretty sure Jefferson has been to the Finals more often than Artest...

when the Spurs pick up a new player the main issue is always how well he will fit in the with the team, and Jefferson is pretty much as good as it gets in that regard.

trading some old and tired expiring contracts for Jefferson was, indeed, a coup and it surprised the hell out of me that the front office was ready to spend money like that. throw in a miracle draft of Dejuan Blair who should contribute right away and now it all comes down to Ginobili's health and what big men the Spurs pick up in free agency.

the thing about evenly or close to evenly matched teams going up against each other in the playoffs is that it comes down to whose system breaks down first... and i would bet that Artest is the weak link in the Lakers system a thousand times before Jefferson becomes the weak link in the Spurs system.

You know, the thing with FARK cliches is that you can't force them. Lord knows, I have tried. And yet, the one silly, stupid headline I came up with that keeps on giving, again and again, is this one, a throwaway.

Original RAIFE thread. (new window)

And for the record, I hate the NBA.

Dynasty.

/there, I said it.

NakedReporta: You know, the thing with FARK cliches is that you can't force them. Lord knows, I have tried. And yet, the one silly, stupid headline I came up with that keeps on giving, again and again, is this one, a throwaway.

Original RAIFE thread. (new window)

And for the record, I hate the NBA.

Kudos to you for coming up with that one in the first place, but a big cockpunch to the Admin who greenlighted a copycat thread for the 100th time. As I said in hours ago in this redlighted thread without a RAIFE headline long before this one was submitted:

I'm sorry, Subby, but you have clearly violated the Fark posting guidelines, so you can expect to banned. Any headline about Ron Artest must include the oh-so-original "Ron Artest internactive fan experience" reference that was excellent the first time it was used, though not so much the next 100 or so times it was repeated by various copycats.

I didn't exactly need a crystal ball to figure out where this one was going. Your dog wants steak, France surrenders. Hollywood (and Fark) is out of ideas. Still no cure for cancer. News: Originality is rare. Not news: Originality is really rare. Fark: Originality is dead.

Cyberluddite: WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH my shiatty headline didn't get green'd! It's not fair!!!!!

Next season is gonna be great. It seems like the contending teams all picked up interesting pieces.

Now if the Celtics can pick up Sheed we'll be all set.

Also, Ariza on a mediocre team is gonna look mediocre. This isn't like Joe Johnson leaving Phoenix.

Anarchangel: It should be "The Ron Artest Interactive Fan Experience is coming to The City of Celebratory Post-Championship Rioting.

Ron will fit riot in.

I wouldn't go so far as to call him a bad player, but he never really showed a great ability to create offense for himself so a lot of it will come down to how well McGrady (assuming they keep him) and Yao perform (assuming he ever plays again).

styron: Next season is gonna be great. It seems like the contending teams all picked up interesting pieces.

Now if the Celtics can pick up Sheed we'll be all set.

Also, Ariza on a mediocre team is gonna look mediocre. This isn't like Joe Johnson leaving Phoenix.

And half the league is playing out their contracts because everyone thinks they could sign LeBron or Wade. Everyone is going to have a contract year performance

If Lebron makes the finals, he'll be covered by Artest while covering Kobe. His head may asplode.

He'll be back, though, with Chris Bosh in tow. THAT team will not be stopped.

Grand Theft People......

I am gonna go ahead and throw this out there.

Ariza is not that good. He is already an over-hyped defender (although he makes some nice blocks from behind sometimes), and he got some 3s to fall in front of a national audience. This was a great move for the Lakers. Artest is a HUGE upgrade!

Palmer Eldritch: As a Celtics fan, this move scares me. Hopefully, Phil Jackson will give more control over the team to Rambis. We know how to handle him.

Relax, the Celtics won't have to worry about the Lakers for the Championship next year. Cleveland & Orlando will, but the Celtics won't.

Komplex: Relax, the Celtics won't have to worry about the Lakers for the Championship next year. Cleveland & Orlando will, but the Celtics won't.

I'd still consider a healthy Boston the favorites in the East. They're a COMPLETELY different team with a healthy Garnett. He's the Ray Lewis of the NBA: he DEMANDS that everyone around him match his defensive intensity, and he's not the kind of guy you want to let down. I think you're forgetting how good the Celtics really were last season, and how they still took Orlando to 7 games this year without Garnett.

Komplex: Relax, the Celtics won't have to worry about the Lakers for the Championship next year. Cleveland & Orlando will, but the Celtics won't.

Cleveland will need a bit more than Shaq to compete with a healthy Boston and an improved Orlando next year.

Free Radical: Cleveland will need a bit more than Shaq to compete with a healthy Boston and an improved Orlando next year.

ZoSo_the_Crowe:
I'd still consider a healthy Boston the favorites in the East. They're a COMPLETELY different team with a healthy Garnett.


What makes you think Boston is going to be healthy next year? In 2010 KG is going to be 35 and Ray Allen will be 36. Even if they were healthy, those guys are at the "pushing their luck phase" of their careers.

/Love KG
//Love Ray Allen
///Hate Boston

it's a sad day when i agree with Bill Plaschke...

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Wombatzu: it's a sad day when i agree with Bill Plaschke...

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Yes it is. Plaschke is a complete idiot. Doesn't reflect well! :)

I disagree with Plaschke comparing this to 2004.

The Lakers beat Detroit with a healthy Karl Malone. The Lakers also beat Detroit if Kobe doesn't get all ballhoggy and simply feeds Shaq constantly, as Shaq was UNBELIEVABLY efficient on offense in that series, while Kobe was too busy taking shots with 3 hands in his face to give him the ball. And finally, Detroit won that series by simply running a very old team ragged. Chemistry had nothing to do with it.

ZoSo_the_Crowe: I disagree with Plaschke comparing this to 2004.

The Lakers beat Detroit with a healthy Karl Malone. The Lakers also beat Detroit if Kobe doesn't get all ballhoggy and simply feeds Shaq constantly, as Shaq was UNBELIEVABLY efficient on offense in that series, while Kobe was too busy taking shots with 3 hands in his face to give him the ball. And finally, Detroit won that series by simply running a very old team ragged. Chemistry had nothing to do with it.

Gary Payton was very ineffective within the triangle offense which also didn't help.
That's why Kobe was taking shots, noone else would and Shaq started slowing down in the 4th, not to mention his foul trouble.

Free Radical: Gary Payton was very ineffective within the triangle offense which also didn't help.
That's why Kobe was taking shots, noone else would and Shaq started slowing down in the 4th, not to mention his foul trouble.

Jordan would have just played point guard and fed Shaq for 3 quarters then. I love Kobe but I'll always blame him for that loss.

ZoSo_the_Crowe: He's the Ray Lewis of the NBA: he DEMANDS that everyone around him match his defensive intensity, and he's not the kind of guy you want to let down.

Just to be clear, we are talking about how KG stabbed that dude right?

ZoSo_the_Crowe: I'd still consider a healthy Boston the favorites in the East. They're a COMPLETELY different team with a healthy Garnett.

I dunno. I know I'm not a big Boston fan, but that team is getting damn farking old. Also, while they won the NBA finals they did have a bunch of tough series they could have lost a year ago. Two years later plus two years of aging... I'm not sure they are favorites. Especially if Orlando and Cavs make more moves, which they will.

Goldeneye007: except that Artest in his prime wasn't anywhere near good as a poor man's rodman on offense, defense, or on the boards. I can vaguely remember Artest bricking every 3 pointer he took for the rockets in the 2nd round.

Did you just use Rodman and offense in the same sentence? That guy used to routinely miss layups.

Bill Frist: I dunno. I know I'm not a big Boston fan, but that team is getting damn farking old. Also, while they won the NBA finals they did have a bunch of tough series they could have lost a year ago. Two years later plus two years of aging... I'm not sure they are favorites. Especially if Orlando and Cavs make more moves, which they will.

You know that absolutely SCARY defensive intensity Boston consistently showed in the playoffs the year they won it all? Like, when they'd just flip a switch and all of the sudden go on like a 20 possession series where they'd force like 5-10 turnovers, at least 2 24-second violations, and a bunch of bad shots, and all of the sudden they're up by 20? And how they seemed to do this almost every game?

I saw flashes of that scariness in this year's playoffs. They were few and far between, but they were present enough to make me believe that with Garnett back, they're still capable of playing like they did in 2008.

Er, to slightly correct my last post, they consistently showed that scariness in the games they needed to win last year.

Hedo has agreed to sign with the Trailblazers...

so, i guess:

Blake
Roy
Turkoglu
Aldrige
Oden

meh.

ZoSo_the_Crowe: Bill Frist: I dunno. I know I'm not a big Boston fan, but that team is getting damn farking old. Also, while they won the NBA finals they did have a bunch of tough series they could have lost a year ago. Two years later plus two years of aging... I'm not sure they are favorites. Especially if Orlando and Cavs make more moves, which they will.

You know that absolutely SCARY defensive intensity Boston consistently showed in the playoffs the year they won it all? Like, when they'd just flip a switch and all of the sudden go on like a 20 possession series where they'd force like 5-10 turnovers, at least 2 24-second violations, and a bunch of bad shots, and all of the sudden they're up by 20? And how they seemed to do this almost every game?

I saw flashes of that scariness in this year's playoffs. They were few and far between, but they were present enough to make me believe that with Garnett back, they're still capable of playing like they did in 2008.

They benefited from the same thing that the Suns did the season they lost the conf finals to the Mavs beating a better Clippers and Lakers team on the way there from 3-1 deficits. Their bench players played extremely well for a bunch of stiffs and Rondo did what Ariza did, overachieving.

Not to mention the refs looked the other way at the physical play when on their home court, but that's the benefit of home court in the NBA, since the Celtics were taken to task by everyone in the Eastern conference playoffs away from their home court.

Plaschke's a fool. He compared acquiring an "old 29" year old player with 36 and 41 year old veterans, as if the teams had the same issues. The mantra, "Defense wins championships", almost always rings true, and Artest will not upset that chemistry. Ron can create better offensively than Ariza. Ask a Rockets fan who they would rather have in a big role. BP fails to mention how role players (who have been let go by other teams) already get to produce for the Lakers in the form of wide-open shots when defenses have to focus on Kobe and Gasol. Plasch is looking for attention for his uneducated take on a subject once again. He should've tried to play a little ball to understand how the game works, instead of infusing old drama.

What did Ariza do in the league before he came to the Lakers? Trevor will be good, but will have to open up his game in Houston. He played well the whole time in LA (I've been a big fan), but Kupchak is doing what he needs to as GM. If it was a straight up trade, Artest for Ariza, I don't believe you would hear too many competent folks saying the Lakers are clueless. As far as transactions are concerned, the past few by LA have worked fairly well, including acquiring Ariza and Shannon Brown.

As far as the 2004 team is concerned, Detroit matched up well and had the perfect game plan to dominate our squad. They threw double teams at Kobe, and Ben Wallace was still able to body Shaq. Chauncey Billups worked us over, in the same fashion as he's done this season with Denver. Our bigs were too slow to close out on their jump-shooting forwards. Before signing Payton and Malone, the problem with team chemistry was having enough shots to go around for everyone. So, our GM got two past-their-prime players, used to averaging 25+ points a game apiece, in order to ameliorate that situation? Did I mention the injuries that year, as well? Give credit where credit is due. The Pistons were the best team that season, much like the Lakers were this year.

Plaschke is clueless. The same deal Ariza got in Houston was on the table for him in LA. And the signing in Houston proves that Ariza's market value was the same as what the Lakers offered.

Lakers can't afford more than the MLE because they still need to sign Odom, so rather than risk having to use Walton as a starting forward next year, they make the deal that's available to them.

All that and Phil Jackson has announced he'll be back next year.

DamnYankees: Wombatzu: it's a sad day when i agree with Bill Plaschke...

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Yes it is. Plaschke is a complete idiot. Doesn't reflect well! :)

How do people NOT understand that we COULD NOT GIVE ARIZA THE MONEY HE WANTED? Its not like we kicked him out the door and signed artest to some huge contract. Rather, Ariza was trying to get more money (which he just narrowly did), and ended up screwing himself out of another ring, where as artest was ok with taking the pay cut.

I dont know if the Lakers will win the title next year but i know they have a better chance than the rockets. And with artest gone, and maybe yao ming too...im sure he will have a blast with the rockets.

/Liked Ariza
//nothing we can do about it now
///good luck

Stroke_N_Focus: DamnYankees: Wombatzu: it's a sad day when i agree with Bill Plaschke...

Link (new window)

Yes it is. Plaschke is a complete idiot. Doesn't reflect well! :)

How do people NOT understand that we COULD NOT GIVE ARIZA THE MONEY HE WANTED? Its not like we kicked him out the door and signed artest to some huge contract. Rather, Ariza was trying to get more money (which he just narrowly did), and ended up screwing himself out of another ring, where as artest was ok with taking the pay cut.

I dont know if the Lakers will win the title next year but i know they have a better chance than the rockets. And with artest gone, and maybe yao ming too...im sure he will have a blast with the rockets.

/Liked Ariza
//nothing we can do about it now
///good luck

i don't think anyone has shown that Ariza wanted more money than the MLE... he certainly didn't hold out for it elsewhere.

i think what happened is that the Lakers front office and Ariza's agent got in a pissing contest and everyone ended up losing, except for Artest, who now has a huge spotlight on him.

the Lakers FO should have taken a deep breath and let everyone cool off instead of hitting the Artest Button.

Ariza didn't hold out for more money elsewhere because there were no offers for more money, no matter what David Lee would have you believe.

ZoSo_the_Crowe:
I saw flashes of that scariness in this year's playoffs. They were few and far between, but they were present enough to make me believe that with Garnett back, they're still capable of playing like they did in 2008.

Eh, full props to the celtics for winning last year, but a lot of stars aligned for them to do so. THe east was weak as hell with only a deteriorating Pistons really in the way and then the Lakers underachieved.

Again, two years of age of the Celtics already really old core, plus an improving east all around (assuming not too many major injuries) and I just don't see them as the favorites.

Its been said over and over that Ariza wanted more than MLE, since he couldnt get it with the lakers he shopped around, Lakers sign artest for the MLE and then ariza realized he had to go somewhere else and went with houston when he couldnt get higher than the MLE.

Even tho his agent claims Toronto offered him more than the MLE.

Artest has been a glue guy on teams more than a cancer since he left Indiana. The Lakers have a relatively short window, since Kobe is on the wrong side of thirty with a lot of miles on his tires. As others have said, a few high profile good games on a big stage, and Ariza is slightly overrated. Kobe no longer belongs in the conversation for best player in the world, but that's just because nobody is even in Lebron's zip code, but this gives the Lakers a solid chance to defend their title.

What makes Lebron better than Kobe? I'd like to hear the argument.

Curt Blizzah: What makes Lebron better than Kobe? I'd like to hear the argument.

His puppet looks and sounds like him.

Kobe is a perimeter player who shoots too low a percentage for the number of shots he takes. He is prone to cold nights where he flat kills the team. Players that rely on mid range jump shots for the bulk of their scoring are inherently less valuable than players like Lebron who score most of their points driving into the paint.

bighasbeen: puppet looks and sounds like him.

Link

tooeasy: Kobe is a perimeter player who shoots too low a percentage for the number of shots he takes. He is prone to cold nights where he flat kills the team. Players that rely on mid range jump shots for the bulk of their scoring are inherently less valuable than players like Lebron who score most of their points driving into the paint.

For all of the hype around LeBron and what an amazing ECF stat line he was putting up, Kobe's finals stat line was actually more efficient, and well, who has the ring?

Curt Blizzah: What makes Lebron better than Kobe? I'd like to hear the argument.

He didn't allegedly rape some hotel maid.

/Michael Jordan >>>>>>>> Stern's wannabes

legion_of_doo: /Michael Jordan >>>>>>>> other Stern's wannabes

FTFY