Lakers Learned From Previous Champs

There is a reason nothing stays the same in the NBA. It's never good enough -- even at the top.

What the Los Angeles Lakers learned from the previous four NBA champs – Detroit, Miami, San Antonio and Boston -- was that the status quo will just get you beat the next season.

It's why there have been no repeats lately.

By landing Ron Artest to replace Trevor Ariza -- a huge upgrade -- the Lakers did what others before them didn't do. They got better after they won.

After watching both Eastern Conference finalists Cleveland and Orlando make major moves last month to improve, the Lakers countered with their chase of Artest, adding another star to a stable of stars. He is expected to sign as a free agent next week.

"You always have to be looking for ways to improve,'' Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak said in Orlando shortly after winning the 2009 title.

Instead of celebrating and savoring their championship like the Pistons, Heat, Spurs and Celtics did, the Lakers quickly went to work improving what they already had. It's why they should become the first repeat champion since they won three in a row from 2000 to 2002.

After Boston won with the Big Three in 2008, they didn't replace key role player James Posey when he left in free agency, and they didn't even get back to the conference final. After San Antonio won the title in 2007, they returned the same cast of characters, then lost to the Lakers in the conference final.

The Miami Heat were the ultimate one-year wonder when they won in 2006, then didn't even get past the first round the following year because they got considerably worse. The Spurs didn't add much after their 2005 title, either, and didn't get out of the second round a year later. The Detroit Pistons won in 2004, then swapped Corliss Williamson for Antonio McDyess, which was mostly a wash.

There is a lesson in recent NBA history. If you're not improving, you're going backward because other contenders are usually getting better.

The Magic, who lost to the Lakers, traded for All-Star Vince Carter, essentially letting go of free agent Hedo Turkoglu in exchange. The Cavaliers got superstar Shaquille O'Neal for nothing from Phoenix. The Spurs, hoping to contend again in the West, also grabbed a key piece in Richard Jefferson. The Celtics, learning their lesson from last summer, are hoping to add veteran Rasheed Wallace.

The allure of being close to the top has pushed the serious contenders to gladly accept the fact they will have to pay more, venturing or staying in luxury tax territory. It's the championship chase that is so appealing.

The Lakers were masterful in their response, trading (not literally) an average player like Ariza for a star in Artest. Ariza, a role playing reserve for most of his career, has used a strong finish on a great team into making people believe he is better than he actually is.

Artest, conversely, is the real deal, averaging 16.1 points in his 12-year career. Ariza has averaged 6.9 points, maybe the most over-rated free agent in the market this summer. The Lakers hit the jackpot, a rarity as a champion that will come back better the following season.

Latest NBA Images

Baron Davis, a basketball player for Los Angeles Clippers team of the National Basketball Association (NBA), looks at Indian children play basketball during a basketball awareness event in Mumbai July 3, 2009. Davis inaugurated 'NBA Jam', a seven-week promotional event in Indian cities, organised by NBA and the Basketball Federation of India. REUTERS/Arko Datta (INDIA SPORT BASKETBALL)

Reuters

Baron Davis, a basketball player for Los Angeles Clippers team of the National Basketball Association (NBA), balances basketballs during a basketball awareness event in Mumbai July 3, 2009. Davis inaugurated 'NBA Jam', a seven-week promotional event in Indian cities, organised by NBA and the Basketball Federation of India. REUTERS/Arko Datta (INDIA SPORT BASKETBALL)

Reuters

Baron Davis, a basketball player for Los Angeles Clippers team of the National Basketball Association (NBA), helps an Indian boy to put a basketball into the hoop during a basketball awareness event in Mumbai July 3, 2009. Davis inaugurated 'NBA Jam', a seven-week promotional event in Indian cities, organised by NBA and the Basketball Federation of India. REUTERS/Arko Datta (INDIA SPORT BASKETBALL SOCIETY)

Reuters

Baron Davis, a basketball player for Los Angeles Clippers team of the National Basketball Association (NBA), helps an Indian boy to put a basketball into the hoop during a basketball awareness event in Mumbai July 3, 2009. Davis inaugurated "NBA Jam", a seven-week promotional event in Indian cities, organised by NBA and the Basketball Federation of India. REUTERS/Arko Datta (INDIA SPORT BASKETBALL)

Reuters

Newest member of the Cleveland Cavaliers Shaquille O'Neal holds up his new jersey, accompanied by two young fans, during a press conference at the Cleveland Clinic Courts in Independence, Ohio, Thursday, July 2, 2009. (Mike Cardew/Akron Beacon Journal/MCT)

MCT

Cleveland Cavaliers' General Manager Danny Ferry, left, and owner Dan Gilbert, center, present new Cavaliers member Shaquille O'Neal with a pair of winter boots during an introductory press conference at the Cleveland Clinic Courts in Independence, Ohio, Thursday, July 2, 2009. (Mike Cardew/Akron Beacon Journal/MCT)

MCT

Cleveland Cavaliers' General Manager Danny Ferry, left, laughs as new Cavaliers member Shaquille O'Neal holds a photo of the two in a game during an introductory press conference at the Cleveland Clinic Courts in Independence, Ohio, Thursday, July 2, 2009. (Mike Cardew/Akron Beacon Journal/MCT)

MCT

Cleveland Cavaliers center Shaquille O'Neal arrives at his introductory news conference at the Cavaliers practice facility in Independence, Ohio, Thursday, July 2, 2009. O'Neal was acquired by the Cavs from the Phoenix Suns in a June 25 trade. (AP Photo/Phil Long)

Cleveland Cavaliers center Shaquille O'Neal answers a question at the O'Neal introductory news conference at the Cavaliers practice facility in Independence, Ohio, Thursday, July 2, 2009. O'Neal was acquired by the Cavs from the Phoenix Suns in a June 25 trade. (AP Photo/Phil Long)

Cleveland Cavaliers center Shaquille O'Neal, center, laughs along with Cavs general manager Danny Ferry, foreground and head coach Mike Brown at the O'Neal introductory news conference at the Cavaliers practice facility in Independence, Ohio, Thursday, July 2, 2009. O'Neal was acquired by the Cavs from the Phoenix Suns in a June 25 trade. (AP Photo/Phil Long)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

7-03-2009 @ 12:05PM

Michael gifford said...

Ariza and his agent were both naive in their client's value...it's not that he wouldn't get a little more money somewhere else but his stats were deceptive. They didn't take into account the team he was playing on, the system he played in, the coach he had and the star he shared the court with. ALL of which contributed to looking more of a force than he is. Yes, he does have some wonderful skills but like Marion, Bell, and others who have left good teams only to have those teams find that their performance didn't necessarily translate to the level it looked like with their previous team. We may well see the same with Turkoglu although he looks real, we'll see whether he thrived in the system or has it going on regardless of where he goes...he certainly didn't show that at Spurs...so Ariza...take the little extra money from the rockets, feel "wanted" and know that you won't get near a ring for the rest of your career...unless of course the Cavs take you...

7-03-2009 @ 1:37PM

xcelentbiz said...

Ariza did not get more money, but rather got a longer contract, 5 years vs lakers offer of 3. You are right in most of your observation. Ariza or his agent's contention that it was never the money is pure B.S. Since it was the same money offered but shorter term. So then what was it? I like Ariza, but I believed he got duped by his agent, who by the way reprent also Bynum. I think the lakers learned their lesson from the Bynum signing. Offer a shorter contract, to reduced loss in case of an unexpected injury like that with Bynum. Ariza's numbers may improve with the Rockets since he will be the only legitimate scoring option they will have. But he will never win a another ring from them. According to LA times chronology of event, Magic Johnson started the courting of Artest, then continued with Phil Jackson, then was directed to Jerry Bush. These guys only want players that want to be in purple and gold, not the money. So, Ariza and his agent could have tried to over leverage the lakers, and when the lakers did not blink, they wanted to save face, and yes they signed up with Houston. This is like the previous deal with Elton Brand, but the Clips were fortunate that Brand got injured and became useless with the Phillies. And now they got a number one draft picked.

7-03-2009 @ 12:08PM

on the other hand, I've never been a big fan of Artest and the redemption tour continues...he IS a competitor though and I expect that PJ wouldn't have given the go ahead if he didn't think he could handle him...he did after all wrangle Rodman in his career so the "new" Artest should be okay...plus he works hard and that's a big plus...he's got great defensive skills and can score on his own which makes him very dangerous...should be interesting for Lakers chemistry, question is..."how fast can he learn the triangle?"

7-03-2009 @ 12:44PM

claytor said...

I hope while Lakers fans have a hardon that they recall the last time the team tried to load up on All Stars. The result? A virtual asskicking at the hands of the team concept influenced Pistons.

Artest is a hustler, a hard worker, and while i admire his new outlook, the truth remains that hell want the ball. And not just a little bit. Hes been the leading scorer practically everywhere hes been, if not one of the top shooters, and the Lakers already have two top notch men in Gasol and Kobe. If they bring back Odom, hell want the rock for a bit as well. What made the Boston thing happen was the fact that Garnett is absolutely selfless, relying on getting his points via rebounding, Artest doesnt quite work in the same sense, and neither does Pau, both of whom arent, and prolly will never be on par with Garnett inside.

Anyway, i wont lie, it would be cool to see a guy whos once self destructive tendencies almost cost him his career finally win the big one, i just dont see it so easily. Ariza was a role player, something Ron might have trouble adapting to, and something Trevor already did.

One final note, when it comes crunch time, im curious to see how Kobe will react with that many guys on the floor itching to take a big game shot, and who arent on par with him in that particular skill...

7-03-2009 @ 1:01PM

jonathan said...

"I hope while Lakers fans have a hardon that they recall the last time the team tried to load up on All Stars. The result? A virtual asskicking at the hands of the team concept influenced Pistons."

Comparing the Lakers trade for past their primes Gary Payton and Karl Malone to the Artest aquisition is ridiculous. Artest is in his prime Patton and Malone were at the end of their careers.Artest is a much better player than Ariza. We don't know how good Ariza can be when he is used as the primary threat. It's easier to look good when teams are leaving you alone to double team Kobe Bryant.

7-03-2009 @ 1:09PM

Its not about whos in their prime, if thats the case Trevor has more upside than Ron does, being only 24. Its about gathering one too many egos in the same spot. I said on the other post that Ron took only 8 less shots than Pau did the entire season in 12 less games, has been used to being either the go to or the number two on his team for quite a few years now, and carries an insane amount of post blowup baggage which honestly? might kill your teams hopes in the playoffs when he starts nabbing game suspensions, sadly yet mostly for his past. Chicago did it with Rodman, because the guy didnt score at all, he just rebounded. And rebounded. ANDDDDDDDDDD rebounded. He left everyone else to provide points. Lol, do you really think Ron OR Pau will do that?

7-03-2009 @ 1:10PM

"...should be interesting for Lakers chemistry, question is..."how fast can he learn the triangle?"

As fast as everybody else who learned it. Artest has been in basketball for a long time and knows it better than anybody blogging here. Besides that, it's not like this is a mid season trade. He has the whole training camp and pre season games to adjust.

7-03-2009 @ 1:16PM

"Its not about whos in their prime, if thats the case Trevor has more upside than Ron does, being only 24. Its about gathering one too many egos in the same spot. I said on the other post that Ron took only 8 less shots than Pau did the entire season in 12 less games, has been used to being either the go to or the number two on his team for quite a few years now, and carries an insane amount of post blowup baggage which honestly? might kill your teams hopes in the playoffs when he starts nabbing game suspensions, sadly yet mostly for his past. Chicago did it with Rodman, because the guy didnt score at all, he just rebounded. And rebounded. ANDDDDDDDDDD rebounded. He left everyone else to provide points. Lol, do you really think Ron OR Pau will do that?"

The difference is Artest didn't have Kobe Bryant on the floor.Or Gasol. He didn't even have Yao on the floor. He HAD to take those shots. He's already taking a pay cut which shows his ego is not involved here. He wants to win a title and I'm sure he already knows his role here.

7-03-2009 @ 1:17PM

bigmick said...

Ariza had a great year, but artest is going to fit in very well, if he maintains his temper

7-03-2009 @ 1:47PM

If everyone thinks that Artest is an egoistic, selfish and a whacko, they have not seen what Rodman was before Phil Jackson started to mentor him. Rodman is by a mile much more whacko than Artest. For Phil to sign on in signing Artest, he knows exactly how to handle it. Plus of course, take the fact that Artest is obsessed to be a laker, so he won't end up like a Malone or Ewing. Excellnet players, but never had a ring. Artest has more incentive to behave! Plus, the lakers may repeat this next season, but the next season may not have the same pressure on them to push.

7-03-2009 @ 2:06PM

mcjesus666 said...

u forget the karl malone got hurt for the finals that year against the pistons. He was pivotal in them defeating the spurs and timberwolves by his defense and hustle. With a healthy karl malone the pistons would have nothing to show for all their "no stars". Injuries happen and they can effect the outcome of the season, so let's stop talking about the bad chemestry.....

7-03-2009 @ 2:39PM

dude, please no excuses...malone missed game five. the last game? thats the ENTIRE series, right?

if you want to play the injury card, perhaps you and the goof who wrote this blog can own up to garnetts absence DIRECTLY affecting the celtics eventual bowing out more than james posey being resigned. i mean cmon.

7-03-2009 @ 2:30PM

jdeezy said...

I am a little upset by Artest going to the Lakers. I know the Lakers snatched him up because they would not be able to beat Cleveland if they picked him up instead. I hope Artest understands the only reason he is a Laker is that he does the best job guarding Kobe although it is an immpossible task he caused problems for Kobe and could have the single reason Lakers would not have a definate back to back chance by artest going to Cleveland, Boston or Orlando. I have lost respect for Artest for accepting a role that will play down his talent.

7-03-2009 @ 2:34PM

To make it more simple. Artest has been given the status of one of the best defenders in the league is mostly due to the way he defended Kobe. So what now??? If the Lakers do not repeat Artest is FINISHED!!!!!!

7-03-2009 @ 2:36PM

Ariza is more mentaly stable than Artest. LMAO Rasheed Wallace is more stable than Artest.

Can you tell I am an upset Cleveland fan.

7-03-2009 @ 2:40PM

DO NOT BE SUPRISED IF THE 30TH DRAFT PICK RING BELLS BY THE END OF THE NEXT SEASON!!!!!!!!

7-03-2009 @ 3:49PM

not playing the injury card, bro. just saying it wasn't the chemestry. And ya, he missed game five but he was pretty worthless at the end of the twolves series. Did u c him play vs the pistons....pretty pathetic. looks like ur pulling the injury card for garnet, i said injuries happen all the time and it's part of the game. if "if's" were fiths we'd all be drunk...u'd still be a douche bag,...

7-03-2009 @ 4:46PM

Brian said...

As long as Ron Artest is willing to accept his role on the team and concentrate on basketball, the Lakers will reapeat as NBA Champions!

7-03-2009 @ 4:54PM

candyeman01 said...

On paper this might seem like good move, I liken this to baketball's equivalent to signing Milton Bradley! He also comes with the same caveat, "He's A Changed man" I believe this fellow will ruin the mood of the locker room, when he gets frustraded and starts stirring the stuff around ! I kind of got the impression he was jockeying for a Lakers spot, after seeing him at the Staples center during the finals!

7-03-2009 @ 5:51PM

FLOW said...

Lot of valid reasons expressed why this won't work, too many egos, Artest is a nut, Kobe has'nt grown up etc. But nobody really knows whats going to happen. As a Laker fan, if we sign Lamar and I love this deal. People always talk about the Lakers have too much talent. If the Celtics sign Rasheed, They will have six count'em six current or former all-stars. The lakers have three. Orlando has three or four present or former all-stars and San Antonio has four present or former all-stars. My opinion, the teams at the top even Cleveland which has three or four current or former all-stars, now are all loaded with talent. The reason teams like the Lakers, the Spurs and the Celtics repeatedly win has to do with attitude and will. Boston had a terrible injury plagued year but they fought through it because of their winning attitude. Ron Artest wants to play for a winner. Kobe likes to win. Last year Kobe deferred to his teammates all year because he wanted a ring. He's still hungry, and by the way, Kobe, Lamar and Phil convinced Artest to come to the Lakers. The great thing about this team is the egos are finally in check now that Shaq is gone. These guys love playing together and you may see a dynasty in the making. I really think Trevor by leaving made a mistake because the funny thing is, although Artest is better, he actually took less than Ariza was asking for. No disrespect to anybody, just talking basketball.

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