Ariza Commits to Rockets

So, Houston & LA esentially traded Small Forwards. Houston got the bad end of the deal, but Ariza is a great young talent. No salary details yet.

4 months ago Tim C. 46 comments 0 recs |

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Rumor has it Ariza for 5 years, 33 million.

by shoothoop on Jul 2, 2009 9:37 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

So everyone so far has signed for more than the MLE? Interesting how much money is being spent considering teams are supposedly clearing space for next summer.

My people call it "sarcasm." - Lauri

by CapHill on Jul 2, 2009 9:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The article’s been updated, and now says that Ariza got the MLE. Also,

Rockets general manager Daryl Morey immediately flew to Las Vegas to recruit Ariza face-to-face and convinced him to join the Rockets over the Cleveland Cavaliers, who had strong interest in both Ariza and Artest and must now keep searching for a small forward on the open market such as Linas Kleiza or Anthony Parker.

Uhh, why does Cleveland need a SF? They have Lebron. There’s no need for an Ariza/Artest/Kleiza type who can start elsewhere.

Bring back Bruce, and free James Gist!
Pounding the Rock - where RJ happens.

by Tim C. on Jul 2, 2009 9:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

cuz LeBrick doesn’t want to play defense against small forwards I think. He rather just help out, from the weak side since it’s easier for him to get blocks that way.

by the little o on Jul 2, 2009 10:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

If Ariza only got the MLE I wonder why he decided on Hou. Also, he was supposedly looking for the 7-8 mill he “deserved”, said his agent earlier today.

by joe20 on Jul 2, 2009 10:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The Lakers were going to let the market decide his contract

Obviously, no team was interested in giving him more than the mid-level.

I believe the Lakers were going to simply outbid Ariza’s suitors by a couple of hundred grand. Now he’s probably got a starting job in Houston, but without the guarantee of an inside presence to give him open looks. It’s a better situation than CLE, but he might not be able to showcase all of his talent with the Rockets if there’s no Yao Ming down on the block.

I don’t know, i think he kind of messed up.

"I've hacked into your brain. You're throwing a party and no one's showing up."

by ignign*kt on Jul 2, 2009 10:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wings are wings. Artest/Lebron combo would have been killer. I really wish Artest didn’t go to the Lakers.

Just call me The Profit

by Manuwar on Jul 2, 2009 10:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hmm,. Artest with the Lakers is a bit troublesome

Thats going to be a tough match up, if it wasnt already

Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.

by bren on Jul 2, 2009 10:08 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

It will be much harder for us to score, but i’m hoping that it will be easier for us to defend, since he’s a ball stopper, right?

"He's Manu Ginobili"

by the little o on Jul 2, 2009 10:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

And when he’s hot, he’s Kobe minus. Kinda.

Straight from the No-Stat Zone to your computer!
Dunkin' Cheerleaders

by LatinD on Jul 3, 2009 12:52 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

i don't think it will be

artest is the epitome of the offensive flow killer

" Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes, that way when you criticize them, you're a mile away and you have their shoes. "

by Bushka on Jul 2, 2009 10:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was on the fence before

But I think we really need Sheed

Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.

by bren on Jul 2, 2009 10:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thats what I’m thinking too bren. Anyway I try to cut it Artest is an upgrade over Ariza for the Lakers. This is terrible.

Just call me The Profit

by Manuwar on Jul 2, 2009 10:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think that one good thing about this is that Ariza played really good defense on Parker and was often asked to guard him. I don’t think Artest is as quick or long enough to guard Parker, he’ll probably guard manu I think. That means Kobe would have to guard Parker, and finally, we should be able to exploit Fisher guarding Jefferson. Of course, this is all speculation on my part. They probably just bring Farmar off the bench to replace fisher in order to have a more conventional defensive line up.

"He's Manu Ginobili"

by the little o on Jul 2, 2009 10:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

i honestly don't think Artest is an upgrade.

He doesnt have Ariza’s length or speed. He also doesnt have the upside.

He has terrible shot selection. Which kills the triangle. Who would you rather have playing your SF slot in a ball movement system? Odom? Or Artest? Did no one else here see his one step off the dribble three point attmept brickathon vs portland in the first playoffs?

In any 10 people on a basketball court at one time Ron Ron is quiet literally the hands down favorite to go postal.

Finally the rockets know how to target quality players that then produce. If they were willing to swap Ariza out for Ron Ron it says volumes of their confidence or lack thereof in either player.

" Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes, that way when you criticize them, you're a mile away and you have their shoes. "

by Bushka on Jul 2, 2009 11:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

i think you’re correct on Ariza having more length, speed, and upside, heck, I know you’re correct about his terrible shot selection, which is why I don’t think the Lakers would be better with him on the offensive end. However, Ron is better at guarding bigger stronger guys (think Carmelo, and Lebron). Ariza, though long, wasn’t good at guarding them since they would just muscle him out of the way. This would often result in kobe having to guard Anthony and Lebron since he’s deceptively strong (and would usually prefer guarding them instead of Ariza). You’ve got to at least agree that this makes the Lakers better equipped to guard those kinds of players (they lose the ability to guard quicker players with Ariza gone, but Kobe can do that), and they also gain much more toughness and grit, specially to a team that has those qualities questioned.

"He's Manu Ginobili"

by the little o on Jul 2, 2009 11:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

true

would be better at guarding lebron and carmello
worse at guarding everyone else

i think its an absolutely terrible move heh but all over the place i see ppl keen on it.

" Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes, that way when you criticize them, you're a mile away and you have their shoes. "

by Bushka on Jul 2, 2009 11:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’ll tell you this, they won’t be putting Artest on Tony the way they did with Ariza.

We specialize in misinformation around here. Facts and stats just get in the way.

by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Jul 3, 2009 12:23 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

bingo. I was just about to mention that.

Bring back Bruce, and free James Gist!
Pounding the Rock - where RJ happens.

by Tim C. on Jul 3, 2009 12:24 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Damn you guys! I mentioned that first. I demand that you reply bingo to my comment too rikiddo! jk. It’s somewhere up there, but I am not yet accustomed enough to this site, or most internet blogs/threads to know how to quote it. Oh well.

Anyways, i’m glad about that too.

"He's Manu Ginobili"

by the little o on Jul 3, 2009 12:34 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Just click on the icon that looks like a quotation mark ("). You’ll see [blockquote] tags – just copy what you want to quote there.

If you want to link to your comment, use the icon that looks like a chain link, and copy in the box that appears the URL from the date/time information of any comment (right next to your nickname).

Straight from the No-Stat Zone to your computer!
Dunkin' Cheerleaders

by LatinD on Jul 3, 2009 12:55 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks LatinD

"He's Manu Ginobili"

by the little o on Jul 3, 2009 1:09 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

testing

i’m new here too

by FreshmakerDTM on Jul 3, 2009 1:12 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I hope it works

"He's Manu Ginobili"

by the little o on Jul 3, 2009 1:11 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

"He's Manu Ginobili"

by the little o on Jul 3, 2009 1:17 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

dammit!

"He's Manu Ginobili"

by the little o on Jul 3, 2009 1:12 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

i think i’m ready for the test. Can’t wait for the next lesson on centering pictures from some of the comments that i’ve read, but all in due time i guess. i’ll be a patient young grasshopper.

"He's Manu Ginobili"

by the little o on Jul 3, 2009 1:22 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

There’s a FAQ I wrote some time ago. It’s not that great, but it’s got some stuff you might find useful. Here it is.

Straight from the No-Stat Zone to your computer!
Dunkin' Cheerleaders

by LatinD on Jul 3, 2009 9:36 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks once again LatinD

"He's Manu Ginobili"

by the little o on Jul 3, 2009 12:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Anytime.

Straight from the No-Stat Zone to your computer!
Dunkin' Cheerleaders

by LatinD on Jul 3, 2009 9:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

don’t worry, you’re getting quoted soon.

Bring back Bruce, and free James Gist!
Pounding the Rock - where RJ happens.

by Tim C. on Jul 3, 2009 1:11 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I would’ve loved having Ron Ron :(

AKA: Linix129

by sw12 on Jul 2, 2009 10:44 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

now kobe has much, much less work on defense for him to do. not to mention that crazy pills has given physical guys like lebroom tough games.

13 points in 39 seconds. Enough said.

by Duhoh on Jul 2, 2009 11:00 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Ron’s prowess defensively is based to a large degree on old Ron, not last years Ron. I think this is a horrible horrible move for the lakers.

" Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes, that way when you criticize them, you're a mile away and you have their shoes. "

by Bushka on Jul 2, 2009 11:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

If Oden is gone as well, then I don’t think this is an upgrade overall, but if Oden comes back then the Lakers should be tougher. Of course, Artest is crazy enough to screw things up by getting into a public feud with Kobe. Now that would be really fun to watch go down.

Anyone recall how well Artest defends RJ?

"The evolution has been good, and I am much more tranquil now in the face of what comes next,"--Manu Ginobili

by VWolf on Jul 2, 2009 11:43 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Meant to say Odom, obviously.

"The evolution has been good, and I am much more tranquil now in the face of what comes next,"--Manu Ginobili

by VWolf on Jul 2, 2009 11:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Anyone else excited about Artest going to the Lakers? Really, this can only be good for us.

Ariza, so far as anyone knows, isn’t a head case and had proved to be a valuable clutch shooter for them in the Finals.

Artest is on the down slope of his career, isn’t the defensive madman he was before, and has a style of play that interrupts the flow of the offense. And if he agrees to play under the triangle rules, he seems likely to take a dip in effectiveness, since he’s going to be doing something he isn’t used to doing. Also, he isn’t near the shooter that Ariza is, so on one of his bad nights you can help off him with impunity.

Not to mention the possibility of implosion.

This move seems as unlikely to succeed as Shaq to the Cavs, IMHO, and it’s reason to be optimistic as a Spurs fan…

"Give me chonchon."

by Slowpoke Rodriguez on Jul 2, 2009 11:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

100 % happy he went to L.A and they lost Ariza

I’ve been a fan of the spurs a long time but my 2nd team that i follow very closely not the least because tom ziller at sactownroyalty is an excellent writer, is the kings.

They were pretty damn happy to be rid of Ron. There was an avalanche of for and against posts about him when he was there, but the statistics didn’t back up the hype. He is not as great D wise as he was.

" Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes, that way when you criticize them, you're a mile away and you have their shoes. "

by Bushka on Jul 2, 2009 11:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’m glad some of you are optimistic about this, but I really don’t think this hurts the Lakers.

Although, I lived in Sac during the Artest era and they did seem very happy to get rid of him. And it sounds as if Houston didn’t even make an offer to retain him. Maybe you’re right, and my initial feeling of dread was misguided. Time will tell, I guess.

Bring back Bruce, and free James Gist!
Pounding the Rock - where RJ happens.

by Tim C. on Jul 2, 2009 11:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It’s possible, I guess, that it could work out. Who knows. I just think looking at it from the outside that the Lakers have made a bad bet.

"Give me chonchon."

by Slowpoke Rodriguez on Jul 3, 2009 12:05 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It’s an interesting gamble by the Lakers. They essentially paid the same money to Artest (occasionally better defender, better 3-shooter, and atrocious shot selection) who will be 30 over Ariza, 24, who has just started to come into his own as a defender and shooter. Artest’s was a 3-year deal, meaning there may not be much tread on the tires when this deal expires. Sounds like a wash to me for next year (no better, potential to be worse) and real potential for downside in years 2 and 3.

As for next year, I really have to wonder about the Lakers. Seemed to me that the position that needed an upgrade was PG, not SF. Fisher hit two big shots in one game, but was blown past by every PG he faced in the playoffs. Farmar is not the answer.

"Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect." - Mark Twain

by spurchief on Jul 3, 2009 12:20 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I agree with you in principle, but when you look at Phil Jackson’s teams, you see…

Craig Hodges
John Paxson
BJ Armstrong
old Ronny Harper
old Brian Shaw
Fisher

These are all essentially the same player, except for Harper who wasn’t as good at shooting the three as the other guys. One year Jackson had Gary Payton, with a completely different skillset that did not include shooting. That was the year they lost…

I don’t see how long they can keep running Fish out there. On the other hand, it seems to work for them.

"Give me chonchon."

by Slowpoke Rodriguez on Jul 3, 2009 12:27 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

shannon brown could be the answer… he’s been really good for them since he arrived. they resign him yet?

by FreshmakerDTM on Jul 3, 2009 12:29 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

they didn’t really use Shannon Brown to guard the fast point guards either. They used Farmar for that. Brown was used for big guards like Deron Williams and Billups more so than Farmar. but I think that Brown could be the answer, and when they have a fast point guard to go up against, Kobe could guard him, since Brown is big and athletic enough to guard some 2’s.

"He's Manu Ginobili"

by the little o on Jul 3, 2009 12:38 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs