Basically only one move hurt the Lakers Ariza for Artest

[picc]

Artest helped us more than Trevor would have last year.

Going forward, from this year past year 2011 into the future, I would rather have Trevor.

[semi-sentient]

I'm in agreement with Shamizy.

People seem to forget that Ariza had trouble guarding 3's with size (like Melo, Pierce, LeBron, etc.), so much so that Kobe would have to switch on to his man for long stretches.

Anyway, the problem with Artest is not his defense -- it's his inability to consistently hit open shots. Defensively he's done a great job for us and shut down some big time players (Durant and Pierce, namely).

[LApwnd]

man OP you sound like the other's who cry's about missing sasha/farmar .....always revisionist with some, try rewatching Den/LA wcf again if you think Ariza was the solution to all our problems. If it was for Kobe and Melo getting injured after gm 3, Ariza would've looked alot worse. People seems to always point out his 3pt efficiency during that run but fail to acknowledge his horrible fg% the last 2 yrs between hou/noh, even with one of the best PG in the league feeding him his fg% has declined at a horrid pace, worse then Artest. IMO I do not think the need needed ANY of the players that have been let go over the years, maybe a smidge for Farmar as he would've at least attacked the basket unlike Blake who just pass the ball inside and stand and watch.

[That Nicka]

I'll agree that the deal is too long -- he's going to look really bad those final two years -- but otherwise Shamizy is right.

Absolutely no way we beat the Celtics in '10 with Ariza at SF. Not only did Artest limit Pierce to a mediocre series, he outscored him each of the final two games. If that's what it took to push us over the top, then it was more than worth it.

Besides, what exactly has Ariza done since leaving? Shoot like crap, and play sub-par basketball. So it's not like we're missing much.