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.