the better defender? artest vs. ariza

[TruSkool]

artest or ariza?

artest is still a superb defender...he is more of a 'hackler' on defense...always putting pressure on the ball, and not letting his man get an easy shot...

but ariza's defense does it for me...he's more of the clutch defensive specialist...getting the right stops at the right times, gettin it done when his team needs it the most..

let me put out a couple of scenarios n tell me who ya got---

scenario 1---
its game 1 of a 7 game playoff series, and artest/ariza have to guard the pierce's/melo's/lebron's/turkoglu's/lewis' of the other team-----who would wear out the opponent more? ariza or artest?

my pick-artest


scenario 2---
its game 7, there's 5 seconds left in the game, tied at 90-90 and the opposing small forward is about to get the ball in his hands---who ya got?

my pick-ariza

[dockingsched]

i'll take the guy that is better for 47:55,


artest's man defense is going to extend kobe's career.

[TruSkool]

those 2 key steals by ariza vs the nuggs are still in my precious dreams

[dockingsched]

so are fisher's 2 threes in the finals, but that doesn't mean i would take him over a clearly superior player just for those last 5 seconds.

[That Nicka]

Artest.

[TruSkool]

so are fisher's 2 threes in the finals, but that doesn't mean i would take him over a clearly superior player just for those last 5 seconds.

i probably would, if its the last 5 seconds, and its upto a proven clutch player such as fisher

[TruSkool]

thats why most probably, like if im depending on a big defensive player, whatever the play may be...and its upto artest and ariza...id most likely take ariza...but thats me

[snaquille oatmeal]

so are fisher's 2 threes in the finals, but that doesn't mean i would take him over a clearly superior player just for those last 5 seconds.

i probably would, if its the last 5 seconds, and its upto a proven clutch player such as fisher

wouldn't by definition a better player not put you in a situation where you needed a player that gets paid five million for five seconds of play a year?

[CodyB]

That's the mentality that is possibly holding this team back. Kobe gets a free pass for the whole game because he occasionally hits a game winner, Fish gets big time minutes just because he is composed in pressure situations. Artest has played every game hard this season. He hasn't hit any game winners or gone off for 30 points or more, but his defense has anchored our team which has been one of the best this season. Our defense wouldn't be nearly as strong with Ariza.

[LAKESHOW]

artest. cause the other guy doesnt want to be here. and of course, wanna play defense for this team.

[Tee212]

easily artest, he brings more to the team.

[Sofa King]

lol ask the Rockets board the same question.

Artest is better even when he's hurt right now.

Ariza is great against the passing lanes but seriously he got torched by Melo in that series. I miss Ariza, but not going to kid myself, Artest is better.

[LAKESHOW]

on offense, it seems that artest is a natural shooter. not that he'll torch teams for 50. but it does seem as if ariza is still developing his shot. anyhow, i just miss the chemistry we had with ariza. and would like to see ariza developing even more his shot into something truly consistent throughout the year.

ariza had his some big shots for us, especially during the finals. just think if had the opportunity to take that to another level this year. i think it wouldve been great.

artest though seems like it naturally all lines up when he shoots. while many a time last year, i had seen ariza pause . . . gather himself . . . line up his shot then take it.

[iamworthy]

http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2009/07/09/breaking-down-37/

[TruSkool]

artest needs to find his shot, nobody knows where he misplaced it...
maybe MJ can give him a box, there might be a jump shot in there.

[TylersLakers]

Artest.

Ariza's actually a terrible defender when it comes to playing bigger small forwards who just abuse him. He's a really good off the ball defender, getting in passing lanes, etc. and that's where he made his mark the most. His quickness and ability to jump passing lanes and take it the other way is the best in the league.

But one on one.. I'm taking Artest everyday of the week and twice on Sundays.

[brmlaw]

Apples and Oranges. Artest may be the best on ball defender in the league. Ariza may be the best off ball defenders. Pick em.

[brmlaw]

Apples and Oranges. Artest may be the best on ball defender in the league. Ariza may be the best off ball defenders. Pick em.

[AceFresh]

so are fisher's 2 threes in the finals, but that doesn't mean i would take him over a clearly superior player just for those last 5 seconds.

i probably would, if its the last 5 seconds, and its upto a proven clutch player such as fisher

The thing is if maybe we had a superior player at that position, we wouldn't need a clutch shot for the last 5 seconds because we would of taken care of business before-hand.

[DubaLakers]

Apples and Oranges. Artest may be the best on ball defender in the league. Ariza may be the best off ball defenders. Pick em.

+1

Also Ariza is uber athletisism, Artest is strength and physicality

Personally Ariza was like family flourished internally like Shanny Brown, Artest feels like a gun for hire. Man I am still not over Ariza loved that kid, perect fit.