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.