Ariza is the true X-Factor

[MikeyMike]

Everyone has been talking about every single aspect of this series...rivalry, Boston's Defense, Kobe, Odom, Lakers' Bench, etc....

I am surprised no one has mentioned Ariza's name.

Why?

Because he is the one guy on the Lakers who can actually match up against Pierce on defense.

Was he even playing when the Lakers faced Boston twice in the regular season?

[Big Bird]

Yes, he started in the game in Staples.

He's not being mentioned, because he's played 10 minutes in the past 5 months, I suspect

I would love to see Phil pull him out of his sleeve when the going gets tough, though!

[tkb]

I have looked at Ariza's defense very carefully in a couple games, and he could be a real x-factor on defense, but more so against Garnett than Pierce.

When Orlando faced Boston earlier this season Ariza was on KG for about 11 minutes, and KG didn't score one point on him. In fact he had enough problems just getting the ball with Ariza fronting him. It was beautiful to watch from a defensive standpoint.

[7_ace_7]

ooo man, i honestly forgot about Ariza... %&#@ this team is good, i cant waint... that really does solve the problem on defence... but how is his conditionning?

[Erik Eleven]

I have looked at Ariza's defense very carefully in a couple games, and he could be a real x-factor on defense, but more so against Garnett than Pierce.

When Orlando faced Boston earlier this season Ariza was on KG for about 11 minutes, and KG didn't score one point on him. In fact he had enough problems just getting the ball with Ariza fronting him. It was beautiful to watch from a defensive standpoint.

I was trying to make the same point a few days back. This is why I'd like our starting five to be:

Fisher
Bryant
Ariza
Odom
Gasol

If Phil doesn't want to change his starting line-up, he should at least let Ariza get as many minutes as Radman. Ariza's assignment: shut down KG.

[EiRON]

If Ariza can shut down KG for 48 minutes then it's over.

[hermes]

how much do you think ariza will play, he probably won't be starting but will he come in with the second group?

[Erik Eleven]

If Ariza can shut down KG for 48 minutes then it's over.

If his conditioning is 100%, there's no doubt in my mind that he can do that. The question is, will the offense flow well enough for Phil, with Ariza on the floor?

Even if it doesn't, I'd still take my chances. It'll disrupt their offense immensely and lead to low percentage shots for the Celtics and fast break opportunities for the Lakers.

Do it, Phil!!!

[Lakers8]

Hate to say but its just stupid to expect ariza to defend kg, we definately need him on pierce tho. Hopefully Puke doesnt get a minute in the finals and Ariza is fit enough to take all his minutes.

[EiRON]

Luke has been playing well lately.

[islander009]

Luke has been playing pretty well and I really dont see anything wrong with Ariza playing some minutes on KG. I honestly dont see Ariza playing Kg for 48 mins yet. I think he can with his length and his speed. The only concern for me is that in the fourth Kg will get more physical if he still has Ariza on him. But I really would like to see the lakers switching defenders on the C's so that they cannot get comfortable in any set. I hope to see Ariza get more playing time but if radman does play well and defend decently against pierce or luke does the same then i am all for it. BUT ARIZA IS THE X-FACTOR.

[Gus McCrae]

I'm sure Phil has him in top condition scrimmaging everyday and he'll be good to go when we bring him out. If there's a series where he'll be needed it's this one.

Added: Can you imagine if he posterizes Pierce the way he posterized Grant Hill

[Erik Eleven]

Hate to say but its just stupid to expect ariza to defend kg, ...

What do you base that on?

[TylersLakers]

Hopefully Phil gives him some burn. We're gonna need his defense against not only Garnett, but Pierce as well.

[Slava]

It'd kill the spacing and might lead to more double teams on Kobe but still its worth the risk to play him for defensice purposes like E11 mentioned.

[Danny Darko]

I don't think his conditioning will be 100%, but he should be good to put in some quality minutes.

[Desiderium]

It'd kill the spacing and might lead to more double teams on Kobe but still its worth the risk to play him for defensice purposes like E11 mentioned.

isnt the number one rule of defense to never double team off the cutter? and what does ariza do? drive and slash towards the basket. in a sense, you cant leave anyone who's driving to basket in this league, same goes for ariza. i wouldnt worry about the offense as long as kb24 is on the court

[Dr Aki]

It'd kill the spacing and might lead to more double teams on Kobe but still its worth the risk to play him for defensice purposes like E11 mentioned.

+1

the reason phil keeps radman in the starting lineup is because the mere threat of vlad keeps the floor spaced

if ariza was there, sure, hes an extra cutter, but floor would shrink because ariza doesnt have that consistent outside shot

and expecting him to have one is way too much to expect from someone who has only played 10 minutes all playoffs

[iamworthy]

If Ariza can shut down KG for 48 minutes then it's over.

If Ariza can shut KG down for 48min then he is my pick for Finals MVP.

[Slava]

-= original quote snipped =-



isnt the number one rule of defense to never double team off the cutter? and what does ariza do? drive and slash towards the basket. in a sense, you cant leave anyone who's driving to basket in this league, same goes for ariza. i wouldnt worry about the offense as long as kb24 is on the court

I don't think they'd be blatanatly double teaming on anyone. Its more like a zone they set up which is pretty effective and Ariza's man can smartly sag off whenever they feel like Kobe is going to make the move.