Sports - Los Angeles Lakers #51: because the team that wins together, stays together - Page 14

**satisfy the crave** · 07-02-2009, 10:31 PM

So, this was a crazy night. I do think that Ron/LO on the same team will be HILARIOUS. So much good moments.

In terms of Ariza...I will miss him. He was such a cutie too!

Quote:

The divide between Trevor Ariza and the Los Angeles Lakers stemmed not merely from the notion that the Lakers were unwilling to pay him more than the midlevel exception (which will be approximately $5.8 million for the first season) but also from the fact that the Lakers did not make him an offer of any kind. When Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak spoke with Ariza's agent, David Lee, on Wednesday, Kupchak essentially told Lee to go get the best offer he could and bring it back to him, then perhaps L.A. would match it.

The Lakers' decision to treat Ariza like a restricted free agent disappointed and angered him greatly. He was expecting them to offer him something around $7 million, and their unwillingness to even make him an offer made him feel unwanted and as though he was not a priority to the team.

Some suggest L.A. wanted to see whether it could land Ron Artest with the midlevel exception and that's why it was reluctant to commit to Ariza. And indeed, it does appear that Artest will be Ariza's replacement.

The Lakers are not expected to play the same type of hardball with Lamar Odom, even though Odom's leverage is shrinking by the day. They believe he should be rewarded for being a good soldier and going to the bench without causing a distraction, so they probably will offer him a three-year deal worth about $8 million a year. Odom wants about $10 million, but he's not likely to get that anywhere else, so he probably will settle for what the Lakers give him.

As for Ron Artest, here are some positive thoughts.

Quote:

Listen, haven’t we learned that you cannot trust the media’s portrait of guys? Haven’t we learned from how they (in the past) treated Kobe? Selfish, bad team mate, hyped, etc. The media even turned one of the best performances of any player in any sport, in the history of sports, into a NEGATIVE when they turned Kobe’s 81 point game into a sign of his selfishness. Of course now most of the media is giving Kobe his due, but remember back 2-3 years ago.

This is the same ridiculous portrait they have painted of Artest. Let’s look at what he has done in the past that is so aweful. Everyone talks about the fight he had in the stands at Detroit with fans. But if one looks at that situation closer, the fans were the AGGRESSORS and Artest was PROTECTING himself and his teammates. That’s one thing Artest is known for –he is always there when you need him to back you up. He will put himself in harms way to protect team mates and/or friends.

Furthermore, this is one of the hardest working players in the game. Basketball is extremely IMPORTANT to Artest and winning is as well. Is he childish in this regard? Yes, i think he is. Usually this type of dedication to a sport is only there with kids. Usually this type of dedication to protecting team mates and backing up your friends is only their with kids.

I think that Artest is a hard working basketball player. He does the DIRTY work. He goes down low and throws elbows, rebounds and plays defense. This is dedication to the sport of basketball. Anyone would love to have this individual on his/her team!

Of course he also comes with faults. He is childish/immature so he has his stubborn streaks. But that’s why Phil is there as the zen master. That’s why Kobe and Fisher are there. They are the father and bigger brothers who will keep this guy on the right path.

Ask yourself a few questions:

1) Is Artest dedicated to winning? The answer is yes! He gave up a much bigger pay day to become a Laker. Why? Why did he take LESS than his worth while Ariza wanted MORE than his worth? Because more important to Artest is winning and competing.

2) Is Artest a hard worker? The answer is definetely YES. He will work his ass off. No doubt.

3) Is he a good teammate? If you were walking in a dark alley, who would you rather have by your side? This guy looks at his teammates and friends as brothers. He will sacrafice himself for his brothers.

4) Will he do the dirty work? Rebound, play defense and bruise down low? Of course the answers are yes to all of the above. Remember that this is a DEFENSIVE player of the year. When was the last time the lakers had a defensive player of the year on their team?

And then ask yourself that if you didn’t know the name of the guy described above, would you do everything to get him on your team?

His faults are obvious: immature and a not as smart as the average bear. But his positives more than make up for these faults.

**slowly fading** · 07-03-2009, 09:51 AM

for the love of everything, LAMAR BETTER SETTLE. He doesn't deserve 10 million

peanut99 · 07-03-2009, 11:03 AM

I hope his contract will be worked out soon enough, come back to us LO!

And it was pretty obvious he would be back, but now it is official

Quote:

After receiving results of medical tests, Lakers head coach Phil Jackson has announced he will return to coach the team for the 2009-10 season.

"After consulting with Lakers team internist Dr. John Moe, I feel confident that I can gainfully pursue an NBA season with another long playoff postseason. All things point to go!," said Jackson.

Jackson, who just completed his 9th season as head coach of the Lakers and 18th overall as an NBA head coach, concluded the 2008-09 season by leading the Lakers to the NBA championship. With his most recent title, Jackson won his 10th NBA championship, surpassing the late Red Auerbach for most in NBA history. In addition to his most recent title, Jackson won three consecutive championships in his first three seasons (2000-02) as head coach with the Lakers. The fastest coach to reach 1,000 career victories, Jackson's total of 1,041 wins ranks 6th all-time. His .705 winning percentage ranks 1st in league history.

A member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, Jackson served as head coach of the Chicago Bulls for nine seasons prior to joining the Lakers, leading the Bulls to championships in 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997 and 1998.

**slowly fading** · 07-03-2009, 04:47 PM

Hehe I knew he'd be back. So glad the tattoo of Phil's face on my back wasn't for nothing.

**satisfy the crave** · 07-03-2009, 05:45 PM

it's all good!

**slowly fading** · 07-04-2009, 04:00 PM

Definitely

miSStakentriSh · 07-04-2009, 05:27 PM

we're in dire need of a new thread, yo.

**slowly fading** · 07-04-2009, 06:05 PM

Well it'd help if people posted, yo.

**satisfy the crave** · 07-04-2009, 08:21 PM

I'm trying!

miSStakentriSh · 07-05-2009, 11:44 AM

i've been lazy.

**slowly fading** · 07-05-2009, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kingjames23 (View Post)

I'm trying!

yes you are

peanut99 · 07-05-2009, 12:22 PM

I have been lazy/busy

miSStakentriSh · 07-05-2009, 12:54 PM

waiting for lamar to sign is excruciating. meh.

peanut99 · 07-05-2009, 01:06 PM

it really is, I want it to all be over already.

**slowly fading** · 07-05-2009, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by miSStakentriSh (View Post)

waiting for lamar to sign is excruciating. meh.

i wish we had newssss