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That team just got tougher and much more crazy. Colorado Kobe keeping Ron under control should be entertaining.

Just when i thought things were starting to fall apart with the Lakers, Ariza and Odom possibly not going back to LA, but now all of a sudden Ron Artest comes to the rescue..ugh another long season of Laker fame and everyone on their nuts like BSpn

Long term Ariza made more sense as a 23 year old.

Lakers just became much more of a half court team, but better defensively.

Houston signed Ariza for the MLE, they may have gotten quite a steal there.

I am one who thinks Ariza is incredibly overrated. His deal kind of reminds me of Luke Walton's a few years back. He is a nice complimentary piece, but he's not going to be creating his own offense any time soon.

Ariza is good but it would have been a huge mistake to give him the money he was after, especially since there was a superior player available for less money. Lakers really played David Lee (Ariza's agent) like a fiddle.

Yeah, Ariza is a nice player, but he's definitely getting over-hyped.

Dr.Krapinsky wrote:I am one who thinks Ariza is incredibly overrated. His deal kind of reminds me of Luke Walton's a few years back. He is a nice complimentary piece, but he's not going to be creating his own offense any time soon.

I guess Ariza is very overrated yes, but still way better than Luke Walton

Big Laker Fan (from MN, but live in OC) and I was disappointed to see Trevor go, but with SA adding Jefferson, CLE adding Shaq, and Celtics looking to add Wallace, the Lakers couldn't stand pat...adding Artest is risky to an extent, but it adds a missing dimension to the team, which is toughness and defensive presence at the wing position...gives Kobe a break on D, thereby saving him for the playoffs, and gives them legitimate post-up threat from 4 positions on the floor...they are going to be a nightmare to defend and score against late in games, as long as Ron stays within the team concept (which is where Phil's zen comes in)

Good luck in getting Artest to buy into the team concept, he will be jacking up ill advised 3's in no time. I see him and Kobe clashing a lot.

I love Ariza, I think MLE is perfect for him. Ariza/Battier is a super crazy lockdown combo. Kinda of scary (in a bad way) offensively though