FanIQ News: Ron Artest is signing with the Lakers - , Los Angeles Lakers, Houston Rockets

1

Oh man, this is huge. Yes it hurts to lose Ariza - which if this happens is almost a certainly - but who wouldn't say this is an upgrade except for age? This second ESPNews just reported it, so it looks like it's true. Artest will be an upgrade defensively and with his perimeter play / penetration. But he brings an intangible, like most big-time players have, of raising his game when needed most. Tough to lose Ariza, but if they were to do it Artest is the best name out there to take his place!

7/2/09

100%InjuryRate

5

LakerMike wrote:

Oh man, this is huge. Yes it hurts to lose Ariza - which if this happens is almost a certainly - but who wouldn't say this is an upgrade except for age? This second ESPNews just reported it, so it looks like it's true. Artest will be an upgrade defensively and with his perimeter play / penetration. But he brings an intangible, like most big-time players have, of raising his game when needed most. Tough to lose Ariza, but if they were to do it Artest is the best name out there to take his place!

If ESPN reported it it must be true? What? ESPN ganks half their stuff from other sites. CBS Sports had this first, by about 2 hours.

7/2/09

100%InjuryRate

4	kantwistaye wrote: We needed to make an upgrade because every other title contender has been making them. If we sign Odom, I like the potential of this team. The NBA is going to be ****ing awesome this next season. Some people are wondering if Ron was worth the risk. My guess is yeah, he's probably worth it. I didn't think the Lakers were so good this last year that they could stand pat.

7/2/09

smashtigz

0	That good! Kobe could have a nice BOXING OR MUAY THAI durind practice! LOL, seems Ron can revenge the elbow thrown at his neck by Kobe during 2009 playoffs, ref is unfair too, Kobe must had technical foul at that time

7/2/09

Scott

5	If you would've told me during the Laker/Rockets series that Ron Artest and Kobe Bryant would become teammates the next season, I would've said you were crazy. The Lakers make the necessary move to keep pace with other teams in the West and the Rockets are basically folding the tent and looking forward to the stacked 2010 free agent period

7/2/09

2

100%InjuryRate wrote:

If ESPN reported it it must be true? What? ESPN ganks half their stuff from other sites. CBS Sports had this first, by about 2 hours.

Yeah, actually about 1 hour ago (I saw the tweet 2 minutes after it was posted announcing it) but if you noticed the cbssports.com news report it has been updated at least twice in the last hour. They went to 'print' with it after only hearing Artest, but has since confirmed it. I was only waiting for another news source to report it, thats all.

For those people with a problem with this move, ask yourselves, how many of you would trade Ariza for Artest and Shannon Brown? That is basically it,if Artest takes the mid-level then the Lakers would have enough -I BELEIVE- to sign Shannon, otherwise they would have had to pay more to Ariza to stay. He's looking for more than the mid-level and his agent says he's frustrated with the mid-level deal Kupchak offered. I'd make an Ariza for Artest deal in a heartbeat, but if it ALSO means keeping Shannon Brown, well that's a no-brainer!

7/2/09

llama5492

1	This is great!!

7/2/09

yanksawboy

3	Check NBA champions!

7/2/09

2

kantwistaye wrote:

We needed to make an upgrade because every other title contender has been making them. If we sign Odom, I like the potential of this team. The NBA is going to be ****ing awesome this next season.

Can't wait for this upcoming season! All the good teams are getting BETTER! Man oh man, can't wait for those Laker/Cavs games this season (Cav/Magic games should be fun to watch too!).

I'll bet anyone $100 that Lakers vs Cavs will be ABC's main Christmas game this year! Jeez, only 6 more months to go, can't wait!!!

7/2/09

MH7KiNG

1	(Edited by MH7KiNG) Bynum, Artest, Gasol, Kobe, and Odom. Too much fire power and if Bynum comes back like he was playing before the injury, watch the hell out. Im going to love watching everyone shake in their socks even more. THE NBA CHAMPIONS JUST GOT SCARIER! GO LAKERS!!!!!

7/2/09

JCAL9

2	With Ron Artest's temper.... Honestly, will he mesh well with the Lakers???.. I guess, does his good play outweigh his attitude.?? I don't know, he wouldnt have been my 1st choice. Don't fix something thats not broke... My motto..

7/2/09

SportzStar

4

Ariza: Great young talent that will take money over being a part of a potential dynasty
Artest: Great physical talent that will take less money to make the defending champions even better and be a part of a potential dynasty

I'll take Artest any day. Phil and Kobe can handle him. Phil handled Rodman fine, look at the rings they have together. And everyone knows this is Kobe's team. Artest will respect that, and a repeat is even more likely than it was the second after the Lakers won it all a few weeks ago.

7/2/09

fremontguy26

2	JCAL9 wrote: With Ron Artest's temper.... Honestly, will he mesh well with the Lakers???.. I guess, does his good play outweigh his attitude.?? I don't know, he wouldnt have been my 1st choice. Don't fix something thats not broke... My motto.. remember phil coached dennis rodman, if he can coach rodman he can coach anyone

7/2/09

fred77008

1	And people said Shaq was a big man for hire...

7/2/09

fred77008

2

Scott wrote:

If you would've told me during the Laker/Rockets series that Ron Artest and Kobe Bryant would become teammates the next season, I would've said you were crazy. The Lakers make the necessary move to keep pace with other teams in the West and the Rockets are basically folding the tent and looking forward to the stacked 2010 free agent period

Not sure the Rockets are "folding the tent."

Artest bolted after Yao went down. The Rockets had little to offer next year. Can't blame Artest for leaving, but what did the Rockets have to keep him?

7/2/09

sactownhero

0	The Lakers are making a big mistake! Signing Ron-Ron for 3 years? He'll start melting down near the end of next season and we'll see a full-on Shaq-Kobe situation again by Year 2 of this deal. Ultimately, the Lakers just signed Kobe's release, because when Kobe ain't happy, he pouts like the big baby he is. And then he'll want out, nd then Phil will want out.......what a dumb move by LA.

7/2/09

ramzterz0021

0	no way! lakers is already hard to beat now with that line-up..

7/2/09

crypt44

3

sactownhero wrote:

The Lakers are making a big mistake! Signing Ron-Ron for 3 years? He'll start melting down near the end of next season and we'll see a full-on Shaq-Kobe situation again by Year 2 of this deal. Ultimately, the Lakers just signed Kobe's release, because when Kobe ain't happy, he pouts like the big baby he is. And then he'll want out, nd then Phil will want out.......what a dumb move by LA.

I disagree with you in a few ways.

First, Ron Artest will know his role and even though he and Kobe have had their run-ins the last few years, Artest is one of those hard-nosed ball players who will look out for his boys no matter what. (in this case, his teammates) I believe they will work it out.

Second, the Lakers' number one goal is to repeat next year. They must get better defensively and I believe this does the job. 3 years is plenty enough for the league to fear the ability of Ron Artest on-the-ball defense.

Third, full on Kobe/Shaq? Seriously? This is Kobe's team now, and everyone knows it.

7/2/09

abac89

0	IF Artest and Kobe dont bump heads this is a good move

7/2/09

2	OOOOH!!.....I KNOW THIS IS GOING TO PISS SOME CELTIC AND MAGIC FANS OFF!! TO ALL YOU LAKER HATERS I WOULD ADVISE YOU ALL TO GET RID OFF YOUR CABLE, AND ANY CHANNEL THAT SHOWS NBA GAMES BECAUSE ONCE PHIL J. GETS AHOLD OF ARTEST AND GIVES HIM FOCUS, WE WILL SEE AT LEAST 2 OF THE NEXT 3 CHAMPIONSHIPS COME FROM L.A.!!! NAH NAH NAH NAH NAH!!!

7/2/09

Bashfulblue

0	Maybe he will try to choke Phil Jackson too

7/2/09

0

This is a good, HOWEVER--- Lakers fans should slurp the saliva back in their mouths and admit this is also a dangerous move. Artest has been really ugly towards Kobe Bryant, and now trying to share a spotlight, and is expected to take the verbal lashing from the guy for 82+ games??? They played 10 games last year, and every game they had issues. You think that's just going to fly away? C'mon. Ariza was pissed off with the Lakers being jerk-offs, and he took off. They just lost that key piece right there. Do they still have any money left??? Will this keep Odom in LA too?? If not, he's probably on his way to San Antonio. Either way, this is a plus and a minus for LA. Didn't really boost them much since they lost Ariza.

7/2/09

BluDevil

0

I think this only works if Phil stays the head coach in LA. Three year deal? If Phil does not stay for those same three years, this is highly likely to blow up in the lakers face.

I think LA would have been smarter to get something out of Phil, one way or another, about his future before bringing in Artest. LA would have been fine keeping Ariza, and perhaps would have been much better off keeping Ariza, if Phil is gone this year or next.

7/2/09

kantwistaye

4

Chris wrote:

This is a good, HOWEVER--- Lakers fans should slurp the saliva back in their mouths and admit this is also a dangerous move. Artest has been really ugly towards Kobe Bryant, and now trying to share a spotlight, and is expected to take the verbal lashing from the guy for 82+ games??? They played 10 games last year, and every game they had issues. You think that's just going to fly away? C'mon. Ariza was pissed off with the Lakers being jerk-offs, and he took off. They just lost that key piece right there. Do they still have any money left??? Will this keep Odom in LA too?? If not, he's probably on his way to San Antonio. Either way, this is a plus and a minus for LA. Didn't really boost them much since they lost Ariza.

There is no doubt that this could certainly backfire and any Laker fan who denies that is just being ignorant. Let's face it, Ron Artest is crazy. That said, this is a calculated risk. At the very least, the NBA had caught up with them this offseason, if not passed the Lakers in some cases. Artest is undeniably a better defender and offensive weapon than Ariza. This also brings more toughness to a very finese team. Assuming Artest keeps his cool, this is definitely an upgrade and its clear that the Lakers are depending on the 2008-09 Ron Artest to show up. If he does, the Lakers are clearly an improved team (and probably the favorites again). If he doesn't, this could blow up. Lets not forget that Kobe has won three titles already with a guy that he hated and was hated by.

7/2/09

elevenbravo138again

0

Ariza looks like he's gone to the Cleveland Cavaliers or Detroit Pistons and even the Suns have indicated interest in the lanky 6'7" SF who is a defensive stopper, but he still gets most of his offense in open-court transition situations though he has been working on improving his perimeter jumper to become a threat from 3-point range. He has plenty of upside and if he maxes out guess what you get? Ron Artest, albeit a much more tightly wrapped version, but Artest is currently superior to Ariza in all areas with the exception of raw athletic ability. If Jackson stays that together with playing on a championship time is likely to keep the lid on the more 'Artestic' side of him.

The Lakers offered the 5.6 million of the mid-level exemption, of $5.6 million over an unspecified number of years. Ariza was hoping for $7 million to $8 million a year and he'll likely get that or more elsewhere. If Artest gets the full mid-level exception from the Lakers, which will work out to five years and about $32 million that my friends is what's called a bargain, didn't Ben Gordon get $55 million over 5 years and he's close to one dimensional?

7/2/09

0

kantwistaye wrote:

There is no doubt that this could certainly backfire and any Laker fan who denies that is just being ignorant. Let's face it, Ron Artest is crazy. That said, this is a calculated risk. At the very least, the NBA had caught up with them this offseason, if not passed the Lakers in some cases. Artest is undeniably a better defender and offensive weapon than Ariza. This also brings more toughness to a very finese team. Assuming Artest keeps his cool, this is definitely an upgrade and its clear that the Lakers are depending on the 2008-09 Ron Artest to show up. If he does, the Lakers are clearly an improved team (and probably the favorites again). If he doesn't, this could blow up. Lets not forget that Kobe has won three titles already with a guy that he hated and was hated by.

his offense is a boost, but i don't think he has the same athletic quick hands type defense like Ariza had. Trevor had a ridiculous amount of steals and jams, and without that aggressive defensive style he had, i'm not so sure the Lakers would have won in many close games-- meaning LA would not have been 09 Champions. Artest, Lakers offense stronger on the perimeter, but defensively i'd say a small drop.

7/2/09

0

elevenbravo138again wrote:

Ariza looks like he's gone to the Cleveland Cavaliers or Detroit Pistons and even the Suns have indicated interest in the lanky 6'7" SF who is a defensive stopper, but he still gets most of his offense in open-court transition situations though he has been working on improving his perimeter jumper to become a threat from 3-point range. He has plenty of upside and if he maxes out guess what you get? Ron Artest, albeit a much more tightly wrapped version, but Artest is currently superior to Ariza in all areas with the exception of raw athletic ability. If Jackson stays that together with playing on a championship time is likely to keep the lid on the more 'Artestic' side of him.

The Lakers offered the 5.6 million of the mid-level exemption, of $5.6 million over an unspecified number of years. Ariza was hoping for $7 million to $8 million a year and he'll likely get that or more elsewhere. If Artest gets the full mid-level exception from the Lakers, which will work out to five years and about $32 million that my friends is what's called a bargain, didn't Ben Gordon get $55 million over 5 years and he's close to one dimensional?

Ariza is now going to the Houston Rockets. Negotiations are completed.

7/2/09

kantwistaye

1

Chris wrote:

his offense is a boost, but i don't think he has the same athletic quick hands type defense like Ariza had. Trevor had a ridiculous amount of steals and jams, and without that aggressive defensive style he had, i'm not so sure the Lakers would have won in many close games-- meaning LA would not have been 09 Champions. Artest, Lakers offense stronger on the perimeter, but defensively i'd say a small drop.

I'm a huge Ariza fan, but there is no doubt that Artest is a better defender than him especially in the halfcourt. The only way this backfires is if Artest blows up, which with his history could very well happen. In terms and basketball skill and Xs and Os though, this is a complete upgrade.

7/2/09

0	Scott wrote: If you would've told me during the Laker/Rockets series that Ron Artest and Kobe Bryant would become teammates the next season, I would've said you were crazy. The Lakers make the necessary move to keep pace with other teams in the West and the Rockets are basically folding the tent and looking forward to the stacked 2010 free agent period PREACH, BROTHER, PREACH!!

7/2/09

crypt44

1

Chris wrote:

This is a good, HOWEVER--- Lakers fans should slurp the saliva back in their mouths and admit this is also a dangerous move. Artest has been really ugly towards Kobe Bryant, and now trying to share a spotlight, and is expected to take the verbal lashing from the guy for 82+ games??? They played 10 games last year, and every game they had issues. You think that's just going to fly away? C'mon. Ariza was pissed off with the Lakers being jerk-offs, and he took off. They just lost that key piece right there. Do they still have any money left??? Will this keep Odom in LA too?? If not, he's probably on his way to San Antonio. Either way, this is a plus and a minus for LA. Didn't really boost them much since they lost Ariza.

Arguably, off-season moves of any sort become pluses/minuses for every team. Obviously, since the Lakers will be a much different team with Ron Artest, it's going to be hard not to acknowledge the phrase "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." However, I believe this is an improvement. I'm very sad to see Trevor Ariza go, because I could have seen him being the "Big Shot Rob" of this potential Lakers dynasty.

The Lakers lose a quick, speedy role player who is mild-mannered and comes through in the clutch. Now, they get a big, strong defender who has proven he can play ball on both sides of the court. Sure he has proven he has a big mouth, but like I said earlier, Artest is one of those guys who is a great enemy but an even greater teammate. All that said, if Kobe and Artest don't mesh, the Lakers will most likely be doomed.

The Lakers' top priority now becomes signing Lamar Odom, which I believe will happen. This upcoming season is going to be insanely awesome. The elite teams are getting stronger at the expense of the weaker teams', which in turn gives them a shot to become the number one contender in the 2010 free agency class. This is what it's all about.

I wish Trevor Ariza luck in his career. He's a super-talented young man who deserves every red cent he will earn.

7/3/09

1

Chris wrote:

This is a good, HOWEVER--- Lakers fans should slurp the saliva back in their mouths and admit this is also a dangerous move. Artest has been really ugly towards Kobe Bryant, and now trying to share a spotlight, and is expected to take the verbal lashing from the guy for 82+ games??? They played 10 games last year, and every game they had issues. You think that's just going to fly away? C'mon. Ariza was pissed off with the Lakers being jerk-offs, and he took off. They just lost that key piece right there. Do they still have any money left??? Will this keep Odom in LA too?? If not, he's probably on his way to San Antonio. Either way, this is a plus and a minus for LA. Didn't really boost them much since they lost Ariza.

CONGRATULATIONS!! SPOKEN LIKE A TRUE SPURS FAN! LET ME PULL YOUR COATTAIL TO SOMETHING CHRISIKINS!!, ARTEST AND KOBE ARE FRIENDS AND HAVE BEEN FOR A WHILE, THEY GET INTO IT BECAUSE AS ALL REAL HOOPERS KNOW,YOU GO HARDER AT YOUR BOYS THAN ALMOST ANYBODY ELSE. SO YOU CAN WISH UPON A STAR ALL YOU WANT BUT YOU AND I BOTH KNOW THE WEST WAS WON TODAY,FOR AR LEAST THE NEXT THREE YEARS!! SMOOCHES!

7/3/09

1	This is basically like trading Ariza for Artest (+ Shannon Brown if they saved a few $'s that can be used to re-sign him). In my eyes that is a no-brainer, this is a DEFINITE upgrade for the Lakers. Ariza gotta be kicking himself right now, he basically turned down the same offer from the Lakers he took from Houston!

7/3/09

icedee

0	smashtigz wrote: That good! Kobe could have a nice BOXING OR MUAY THAI durind practice! LOL, seems Ron can revenge the elbow thrown at his neck by Kobe during 2009 playoffs, ref is unfair too, Kobe must had technical foul at that time (Ron in film room with Kobe looking at Kobe throwing elbow at him) "Hey Kobe... (picks up Kobe and body slams him) ,,,no hard feelings alright?

7/3/09

0

lleedubb wrote:

CONGRATULATIONS!! SPOKEN LIKE A TRUE SPURS FAN! LET ME PULL YOUR COATTAIL TO SOMETHING CHRISIKINS!!, ARTEST AND KOBE ARE FRIENDS AND HAVE BEEN FOR A WHILE, THEY GET INTO IT BECAUSE AS ALL REAL HOOPERS KNOW,YOU GO HARDER AT YOUR BOYS THAN ALMOST ANYBODY ELSE. SO YOU CAN WISH UPON A STAR ALL YOU WANT BUT YOU AND I BOTH KNOW THE WEST WAS WON TODAY,FOR AR LEAST THE NEXT THREE YEARS!! SMOOCHES!

Right. Let's cancel the NBA for probably the rest of planet Earth's time because they should have a 4-peat. Riiiiiiiiiing-a-ding-ding! Whos that calling? Hello, Reebok! Oh-- preprinting shirts and hats?? Hmm... well... OoOoOkKaAaY! Lakers Fans! Get your exclusive NBA Champion hat, shirt and DVD for 2010, 2011, AND 2012! Buy all three packages and save $50! Order now!

7/3/09