As we all attempt to grok Ron Artest: Los Angeles Laker, much will (rightfully) be made of the strange relationship Kobe Bryant and our antihero Artest enjoy. Off the court, the stars claim to be best friends. On the floor, there has been some serious (and recent!) bad blood.But in real basketball results, Pau Gasol might be the most endangered Laker in all of this. Kobe ain't giving up shots to Ron-Ron ... but someone will have to, unless you think Artest -- who has in the past placed himself in the same league as Kobe and LeBron James -- will shave half his offense to become Trevor Ariza II. I sincerely doubt our protagonist will be so generous. So the Laker attacker who requires the ball to be fed -- Pau -- figures to suffer.
Even this past postseason, when the Lakers looked so dominant (save a tough series against Artest's Rockets), the chorus called for more Pau touches. It's the coda of the big man, the call for the ball, especially for a forward as selfless as Gasol. But teams get only so many possessions, and every touch for Pau this year (more or less) meant one less touch for Kobe, the reigning MVP. I would imagine most Lakers fans wished at some point last season Pau would get the ball more frequently, even if in the end the arrangement worked out famously.
Ariza, the player we assume Ron-Ron will replace in the starting lineup, averaged 10 FGAs per 36 minutes of play last season. Artest averaged more than 15 on a team with fewer possessions to go around. That's more than any Laker not named Kobe last season.
Those shots Ron-Ron has always felt he needed, they aren't all coming from Kobe's ammo belt. And let's not kid ourselves about whatever statements Artest may make about coming to L.A. to play defense, to be Kobe's enforcer. He said the same thing about Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady in Houston. And Ron ended up shooting more frequently on a per-minute basis than both of them.
Savor the leather this summer, Pau. There's a chance that come next season, you ain't gonna touch it.
Comments (Page 1 of 1)
No way, actually Artest will hgelp Gasol, because now Pau has someone kind of physical to back him up.
THIS IS A BIG MISTAKE that Mitch Kupcheck is makeing. Those Two BIG egoes will NEVER mesh. You think Kobe and Shac had problems. Look out LA this will make that look like childs play. Im an upset Laker fan
IF Ron-Ron still had that huge ego he would have never accepted the MLE. Artest idolizes Kobe and is not the alpha male shaq was.
First of all, I don't know where you got the crap that it was Mitch who did the deal. It was not Mitch. Magic J initiated, Phil J concurred because he liked/want it, and Jerry Buss the owner, sealed it in a private luncheon. Ariza's agent became too greedy, and Ariza allowed it, so they went shopping. Now, can you blame the Laker's for reacting that fast for Ron Ron? Laker's were firmed not to expend for more luxury tax, so they did what they believe was best for the organization. If Artest went to Cavs, the equation will have substantially tilted Cavs way. Lakers were just a tad smarter here, considering Bynum's recent signing with the same agent is still very fresh in their mind. Ariza is younger, but Lakers want to address next seasons repeat. So they did it with Artest. Following seasons can be addressed after next season.
Now that they have a championship (without Shaq), Kobe is going to play less minutes in an attempt to keep him fresh for the playoffs and to prolong his career. The Lakers could use Artest's toughness. Plenty of minutes to go around. Excellent move. Good to shake things up a bit after a championship.
Oh No! Who will have to take less shots because we have SO MUCH OFFENSE? hahahaha I love this problem.
Pau is gonna get his shots because the offense runs through him. Phil will figure things out as he always does. Now LA has someone to gaurd Paul Peirce. No more "soft" tags. No more Kobe having to guard Melo, Artest, and Peirce.
Amazing
i hope this happens we are already the best team to add artest no one will be able to stop our repeat i hope trevor gets his big payday he deserve it don't hate the man for getting paid that what happens win u win other teams want your players get paid dude u got your ring,stop crying the LAKERS are the champs in your face all day i luv L.A.
Oh sure, Gasol who averaged a double double last season and should have been in the all star game is supposed to lose touches to Artest ?? Please, Artest will be doing just what Ariza was doing only he adds some experience that Ariza was building on. This is the only way for Artest to get a ring and it speaks well of him to take less $$ in order to get his.
This is an interesting move. Artest personality flavor will hopefully add to the dynamics of the Lakers line-up. I hated to see Ariza leave, but he will land on his feet and get the payday he deserves. This is going to an interesting season with all the trades taking place. The Lakers leadership is definitely not afraid to shake things up after a championship. Lakers NBA champs for the 2009-2010 seaon -- Hoo-ah!
Ziller is on crack! Ron Artest for Trevor Ariza? This is a steal for the Lakers. He took more shots than McGrady because he HAD TO. During the Laker series, who else did Houston have? Ariza will be sorry he and his agent were so greedy. I hope he loves hunidity and losing.
Brilliant Laker move:
1) Having Artest on the court will make it much more difficult for teams to double-team Kobe. Teams weren't afraid to leave Ariza unguarded but they won't do that with Artest, who can also go to the rim much more strongly than Ariza. That will create more fouls and defensive pressure on opponents.
2) When they need him to, Artest can carry the Lakers offensively for some regular season games, allowing Kobe to rest more.
3) In the NBA Finals next year, Artest could cover Lebron, Rashard Lewis, or Paul Pierce, relieving Kobe of that energy drain.If only for that, this was a brilliant move.
4) Artest is an enforcer. The Lakers just got much, much tougher. Anyone wanting to give a hard foul on Kobe will now have Artest to deal with.
5) Ariza had one great playoff run in one year, but the Lakers got burned last year by awarding Sasha a big contract after one great season--and he tanked completely last year. They learned from that mistake.
6) Artest wants a championship and he'll bring a new energy to a defending champion. Psychologically, that's a brilliant move.
The Lakers were the best team in the league last year-by far-and they just got much better. With Artest, Kobe, Gasol, Odom (whom they'll sign quickly now), and a much-improved Bynum, no one in the NBA can come close to matching up with them.
"He said the same thing about Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady in Houston. And Ron ended up shooting more frequently on a per-minute basis than both of them."
First of all Tmac didnt play at all, and Yao faltered down the stretch so he had to take the shots, he was the only all-star left on the team!!!
Artest didnt come to L.A. to take shots, he came here to hop on the championship train and play some DEFENSE! DEFENSE! DEFENSE! He said it would be an honor to play for Phil, and after all he handled Rodman well, and what does Phil love more than anything???? A big tough guy who can play some DEFENSE!! Offense should be of little to no factor whatsoever. His best buddy Lamar will keep him calm and share his candy so dont worry... Now say it with me class, DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS!! GO LAKERS!!
Although I am a big fan of Ariza, it appears Ariza was chasing the money which is not that big difference between the Lakers offer and Rockets. Ariza should have considered other factors such as his family being in L.A., playoffs share, and better chance for another ring. Also the fact that David Lee is Ariza agent does not help at all. The guy negotiates thru the media and fails to manage his client career wisely. Basically David Lee screwed Ariza and got paid for it too.
Don't talk crap about Ariza! He played a BIG role in the Lakers championship!
your trippin, do your research before you write something like this. i know you have a deadline but damn, dont be lazy. first and foremost pau already doesnt receive a great amount of touches, and he makes the best out of them when he does. so to say that hes going to have his touches further reduced is to say hes going to be invisible.
Perhaps YOU should do some research, richie...
Artest took MORE shots than Gasol did last year, and thats in 12 LESS games. Not to mention that no, Pau does not grab a ton of offensive boards, most of his rebounds come on the defensive end, you know, where the other teams hoop is? Which means he gets his points through the triangle, not by selfless hustle under his own paint.
Ron has been the top scorer, or at least one of the top shooters on his team for several years now, averaging 15 plus a game, you honestly think overnight hell regress from bad habits? He didnt carry the Rockets, he practically helped doom them thanks to his reputation (instant suspensions for fouls), and his ego not matching his skillset. If Pau gets phased out by this, the Lakers will suffer, it was him and Odom that helped get the Lakers past the Nuggets, not all Kobe as most assume. It was role players. Remember the last time this team thought they could plug like five former all stars together, lol.
Lakers fans should be careful what they wish for in the Artest egg in a basket deal, you might regret it when "the enforcer" starts catching those quick flagrants during the playoff run, leaving you with a hole in your lineup that Ariza capably filled, and didnt bring baggage to.
There is no way signing Artest is a bad move for the Lakers. As much as I like Ariza and wanted him back, he is not close to being as good as Artest. I think this situation will make Artest a more efficient player. He'll get plenty of open 3s in the triangle. And he hit almost 40% last season. The number of shots he took for Houston last year is an invalid concern. He didn't play much with both Yao and McGrady on the floor at the same time. Looking at the other four Rocket starters, why shouldn't Artest have taken the most shots? Yao could always have the ball more, but Artest didn't deprive Yao his touches nearly as much as McGrady did. Gasol also gets plenty of touches. The number of shots he takes is misleading, as he is typically looking to pass first when the ball goes to him in the post. Artest is going to be in a different role and he will adjust for the most part. There will be times when he holds the ball too much or forces a shot, but it's not like he won't hear about it. He's not uncoachable. That's never been an issue with him.
I can't believe I read an article like this in 2009. Who Mr. Mariotti think he is to talk about anyone like this? His coments are full of prepotence and ignorance. Ricki Rubio deserves to make a free decition about the best for HIS future. He will improve playing and will be a great player in the NBA or in Europe. By the way in Europe there is great baskeball too Mr Mariotti....some respect please.
You are absolutely right. Artest will help more Pau. Although Pau is a PF, he was the center 75% of the time in the regular and playoffs. The starting five can look like this, Bynum at 5, Pau at 4, Odom/Artest at 3 Kobe at 2 and Fisher at 1. Sixth man can be either Odom or Artest. Artest can even sub for Kobe, since he also can shoot. Now, another line up can be, Pau at 1, Odom at 4, Artest at 3, Kobe and Fisher at 2 and 1. Can you see the flexibility here? And this can be very effective when they are playing Lebron, Melo, Dwayne and every other hot shots, and Artest can lock them up and allow Kobe to be the primary offensive threat. Can you imagine Kobe getting freed from this task? Ariza is maybe a few more years to be like this, IF, he stayed with the Lakers. But Lakers want to repeat next season. So the Artest deal was smarter.