Looks like Artest is goin to LA....

[mpgraphix]

Originally Posted by spurs fan removed

this is an improvement over ariza. whoever gets ariza will be disappointed because he's a beneficiary of playing on a talented lakers team.

ariza really played this one poorly. did he think he was that irreplaceable?

maybe LO will play the idiot role and try go for the money also!

[Dr. Laker]

Originally Posted by mpgraphix

just sayin...unlike last year, we should be healthy and able to provide a real foe in the WCF this year. the statement seemed like an insult at RJ and the Spurs by saying he was brought in to play D against a guy in the east.

Artest could and should be a great pickup...if we get one of the big men we really need to play against you guys...it's on like donkey kong ;)

I posted in the RJ thread that if the Spurs get Sheed or another serviceable big (Odom), then Spurs are right there again.

[mpgraphix]

Originally Posted by Dr. Laker

I posted in the RJ thread that if the Spurs get Sheed or another serviceable big (Odom), then Spurs are right there again.

ahhhh

well, we hope so ... a spurs/lakers showdown would be great.

[theinswes]

Originally Posted by TimmyDthaWay2B

What's new.. Lakers getting another superstar.... Artest is a chump... One minute he hates Kobe, now he is all up in kobes jock....

Artest always said he and Kobe were friends though - never disrespected him in the media. they competed like animals on the court, but that's just what competitors do. and remember we had Finley come over to play for the Spurs - that's pretty much as bad as you can get considering the history w/ Bowen, and the Mavs rivalry.

Starters: Tony/Mason/RJ/Tim/Sheed vs Fisher/Kobe/Artest/Gasl/Bynum
6th men: Manu vs Odom

as noted before, we now need Rasheed in the worst way possible, because with him, it'll be an epic warzone against these guys... without him, we're outmatched (even w/ Blair and the high expectations ppl are placing on him)

[TRslick81]

Originally Posted by theinswes

Artest always said he and Kobe were friends though - never disrespected him in the media. they competed like animals on the court, but that's just what competitors do. and remember we had Finley come over to play for the Spurs - that's pretty much as bad as you can get considering the history w/ Bowen, and the Mavs rivalry.

Starters: Tony/Mason/RJ/Tim/Sheed vs Fisher/Kobe/Artest/Gasl/Bynum
6th men: Manu vs Odom

as noted before, we now need Rasheed in the worst way possible, because with him, it'll be an epic warzone against these guys... without him, we're outmatched (even w/ Blair and the high expectations ppl are placing on him)

imo without rasheed and if la keeps odom we dont stand a chance.Were better no doubt but with out some legit help upfront we cant beat la in a 7gameseries

[Big-POST-Bob]

[TheLadiesMike]

I don't think Artest is as good as he is made to be. I didn't see him slow Kobe and he was very offensively ineffective against the Lakers.

[mpgraphix]

Originally Posted by TheLadiesMike

I don't think Artest is as good as he is made to be. I didn't see him slow Kobe and he was very offensively ineffective against the Lakers.

i agree he had a rough series, but he was also the only star they had left. i dont think LA was worried about leaving von wafer open too much and others if they took ron ron out of it. that being said, it bit LA in a couple games...playing them too lightly

[Freakout]

Ron does struggle to check the quick 2's since the hand checking changes. However, against the physical big 3's that are becoming more and more popular he is a rock. In his match ups against Cleveland he held Lebron down.

[pessimist]

I'm not going to sit here and come up with 50 excuses why this isn't a good deal (chemistry, border-line psychopath . . . )

I'll sum it up like this:

Gasol + Bynum + Artest + Odom (pending) >>>> Duncan + Blair + Bonner (laugh)

[grizzly_bexar]

This definitely makes things interesting. He's an obvious upgrade over Ariza as long as he behaves.

Huge if there.

[maldoror]

Originally Posted by Freakout

Ron does struggle to check the quick 2's since the hand checking changes. However, against the physical big 3's that are becoming more and more popular he is a rock. In his match ups against Cleveland he held Lebron down.

That's why the Lakers got him. To cover those bigger 3s that play on the perimeter, guys like Lebron, Pierce and Carmelo. They have Kobe to cover the quicker 2's.

[kaji157]

I dont get it, artest said Houston that he wanted 13 millions, but now he doesn´t care about the money in LA?

[maldoror]

Originally Posted by kaji157

I dont get it, artest said Houston that he wanted 13 millions, but now he doesn´t care about the money in LA?

Houston only offered him a one year deal. An offer like that will sour anyone.

[one3]

this really sucks, fakers got a lot stronger. i just wish they lose Odom also.

[Grego]

Originally Posted by one3

this really sucks, fakers got a lot stronger. i just wish they lose Odom also.

If they lose Odom, then their upside isn't as high. However, if they retain him, they'll be tough if Artest fits in.

[Flipmode Master]

Originally Posted by Grego

If they lose Odom, then their upside isn't as high. However, if they retain him, they'll be tough if Artest fits in.

Are they even going to have any money left for Artest? Also its going to cut into Odoms playing time A LOT...so they may lose him.

[maurice13]

Is it too far fetched to think that maybe Artest signed with the Lakers so he can have more chances to give Kobe a beat down for elbowing him in the throat? Wait, what am I saying? This is Artest...nothing is too far fetched.

[dunkman]

The Lakers have improved at the wing, but there must be a reason why the Rockets didn't offered Artest more than 1 year.

[Dr. Laker]

Originally Posted by dunkman

The Lakers have improved at the wing, but there must be a reason why the Rockets didn't offered Artest more than 1 year.

Yao injury - Rox are blowing it up.