DANGEROUS!!!!!!!! Ron Artest to sign with Lakers July 2, 2009 · Filed Under Cleveland Cavaliers, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, News By Jeff Lenchiner, editor of InsideHoops.com Houston Rockets free agent forward Ron Artest is going to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers, according to Ken Berger (CBS) as well as the Los Angeles Times and other media outlets. The negotiation period for NBA free agents began July 1. Actual signings can take place starting July 8. According to Chris Broussard of ESPN, the deal may be for three years and around $18 million. As the Lakers add Artest it appears they will be losing energy hustle guy Trevor Ariza, who is reportedly going to sign with the Houston Rockets. The addition of Artest to the current NBA champions is interesting. He helps in some ways, but doesn’t in others. He won’t replace the hectic, frantic, fill-in-the-blanks, complimentary, fast break style of Ariza, but is a better halfcourt defender. Artest is also much stronger than Ariza and can easily play power forward for long stretches. Overall, Ron is definitely better than Trevor. I question how well Artest will fit into the triangle offense of the Lakers, however. He can do it, but it’s not the most natural fit. Ariza last season averaged just 8.9 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game, shooting 46% but just 31.9% from three-point range. Though, in the playoffs he suddenly became an assassin from outside, nailing 47.6% of his threes. Artest last season for the Rockets put up 17.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.5 steals per game, though he shot an awful 40.1%. He was nice from three-point range, though, hitting 39.9%. Overall, adding Artest while losing Ariza is an upgrade for the Lakers, though I’ll still keep my eye on how well Artest fits in with their offense. And, key Lakers forward Lamar Odom is currently a free agent. The team needs to keep Odom, and a source says the team feels they’ll be able to re-sign him. Read basketball fan reaction and discuss your own opinion in this forum topic. Tags:
Ridiculous signing for the Lakers. They have to be considered favorites again. Hopefully San Antonio signs Wallace if Boston doesn't, so at least they'll have just as equally stacked of a team as the Lakers do.
I don't understand what happened with Ariza. He's leaving the Lakers to go to Houston where he'll only be accepting the midlevel exception. The Lakers also offered him the midlevel, but he turned it down. Makes no sense whatsoever. Anyway, Artest is a superior player to Ariza in every way, shape or form, but Ariza fit PERFECTLY into the Lakers offense. His skills were made for the triangle. How will Artest fit in there? Who knows. I'm kinda hoping that he starts chucking shots like he usually does, and taking all the shot attempts away from Kobe.
