Get off Trevor Ariza’s back
Trevor Ariza (photo. L.A. Times
I don’t have to go into the historic and societal depths of why, when it comes to the NBA Draft, NBA free agency or college basketball recruiting — or any other time high-profile, talented Black men are making high-profile decisions — us f*cking people in the news media suddenly turn into everybody’s parents. He needs to stay in school … He needs to go to school … He needs to shut up and accept whoever drafts him … He should sign with them … He shouldn’t sign with them … He should’ve taken less money and gone for a ring … He needs to hurry up and pick a college … If he’s smart, he’ll go to that college …
You know how it goes. And it’s not just The Media. I’ve always fought against the myth that The Media is some covert-ops group of 15 people holding secret meetings to decide how the world will be covered — I try to remind those I know that The Media is made up of real people. If anything, we’re just a reflection of the society we cover. That’s why The Media wants to be every athlete’s advisor, because that’s how our society works; we all think we know what’s best for everybody.
Yesterday, after Ron Artest agreed to sign with the Lakers and Trevor Ariza subsequently went to the Rockets, a wave of criticism came crashing on Ariza out of nowhere. Yahoo!Sports‘ Adrian Wojnarownski best reflected the tone of that criticism in a column where he went at Ariza and agent David Lee:
No, this wasn’t about the money, nor [Lee's] client’s needs. This was a failed power play, an embarrassment of the highest order. Looking back, Ariza will rue the day. He’s a good player, but he’ll never be a star elsewhere. He’ll just be another player on another team.
“He was way too emotional about this,” said a league executive who had talked to Lee in recent days.
Yet, you can be a star without being a star with the Lakers. When L.A. is winning championships, the role players become commodities. They get endorsements. They get television careers. Ask Rick Fox. Or Derek Fisher. Ariza was an L.A. kid living a dream, 24 years old, a gifted, young talent on the defending champion, and his agent’s bluff backfired.
Notice how the 24-year-old now becomes a “kid.” Notice how we’re using corny movie-villain lines like “rue the day.” (It’s more effective if you say it with an eye patch and a hook on your left hand.)
Is it really that serious? Ariza didn’t sign away his NBA career yesterday. He’s going to start for the Rockets, where he’ll be a key contributor for a team that will regularly be in the playoff mix. (If not this year, then next year, when they’ve got a full season with whoever they trade T-Mac’s contract for at the 2010 deadline, and after they’ve signed Chris Bosh.)
Because these sports contract disputes involve millions of dollars, it’s easy for the rest of us to take the, “Take whatever they’re offering and shut up” mindset. But you have to take the money out of it and bring it down to a human scale. In a way, Ariza’s agent is right. It is about respect. Whether you make $2.3 million or $23,000 at your job, if you played a big role in your team/company reaching a peak, you want to be rewarded. You want to make more than those you feel you’re better than. You want respect.
Besides, Trevor Ariza made himself $33 million yesterday; I don’t know anybody who considers that a bad day at the office.
July 3rd, 2009 at 3:18 pm
knock knock says:
Yeah trevor was a great player, and was huge in critical moments of the playoffs. You could say trevor was the james posey of the lakers championship team with his steals, defense, and 3 point shooting. What happened to posey? took more money to play elsewhere.
- only difference is that the lakers received a better player in ron artest, and the celtics received nothing. Going for 2 championships back to back just became a little bit easier.
July 3rd, 2009 at 3:19 pm
Scott says:
The interesting part is, it wasn’t ‘really’ Ariza who fucked up here.
His agent played hard, expecting it to produce results WITH the Lakers. Instead he got his client out of their desires, and in turn he gets a great paycheck, on a lousy team, but on one of the better Franchises.
At least he picked a quality Franchise, no wonder no one goes to the Cavs, their Franchise is horrid.
Now, could you guys do a write up on Hedo and Marion’s offers? Please? lol.
July 3rd, 2009 at 3:22 pm
BRUCE says:
Thank You, Trevor. I hope you kept that Lakers uniform as memories. I helped Kobe win #4.
You can’t blame Trevor either, he got a family to feed.
July 3rd, 2009 at 3:34 pm
LB says:
Hopefully the Artest signing will make it easier for the Lakers to resign Odom because of the whole Queens connection between Ron Ron and LO
July 3rd, 2009 at 3:39 pm
mamba says:
Blame his agent David Lee who also happens to be Bynums agent…he convinced the Lakers to pay Bynum a ridiculous amount so they cant afford to sign Ariza…then Ron comes knocking for less money and what can you do? It’s a business and Jerry Bus is a smart businessman…I know Trevor wishes he took the MLE with the Lakers and regrets his agent’s bluff.
July 3rd, 2009 at 3:41 pm
Steve says:
Let’s see here…Trevor leaves the newly crowned NBA Champs with his nice new ring to go to a team that won’t be getting a whiff of anything beyond a first round exit for years to come and does it all for the same money. Sounds like he should have taken a couple of more business classes at UCLA during his short tenure there.
We loved having Trevor here but for him and his agent to scream disrespect and go stomping away like a three year old is a simple and plain case of overplaying one’s hand.
Trevor had a great season not just because he is an improving player but also becasue he wasn’t a focus of the other team’s defense. That will all change now and come next Christmas, Trevor will probably be regretting his decision and will have a new agent in place.
From HoopsWorld: “LA’s ceiling might have been a $6 million starting salary for $36 million over five but before negotiations progressed after 9:00pm Pacific on Tuesday night, the source says that Ariza’s agent, David Lee, took a confrontational approach with Kupchak.
Lee wanted a deal in the $50 million range and took offense to the team’s stance that Trevor should test the market first for that level of compensation.”
Someone screwed the pooch here and it appears to be David Lee.
July 3rd, 2009 at 3:43 pm
K says:
Sucks though, sucks alot. Here in LA, we love him we don’t wanna see Trevor go…especially for Artest.
July 3rd, 2009 at 3:43 pm
sh!tfaced says:
not only does the media know whats best for everybody, they tell you how to live your dreams too…
July 3rd, 2009 at 3:46 pm
K Dizzle says:
About time you got an article right, Austin.
I agree with what BRUCE says.
I woke up this morning to read all this shit from “Laker fans” talkin recklessly. I heard of short memories, but some of you “Laker fans” are phuck’n ridiculous.
POINT BLANK: No Ariza, no chip this past june. Stop bein ignorant. Only thing is we got LUCKY that Ron willin to take 3-4 MILLION PER below market value to come get what Ariza just got. I’m ok with Laker haters spittin on dude, but “Laker fans” spittin on dude are an embarrassment. Dude gotta take a paycut to play in LA? Phuck that. He’s 24 and Lakers used him just liked he used them. Dude got an oppurtunity from the team, took advantage of it, helped bring home the O’Brien, now he’s lookin to get paid. Nothin wrong with that.
Stop hatin…
July 3rd, 2009 at 3:49 pm
j diddy says:
David Lee was just upset that Trevor wasn’t offered more than the MLE, but he needed to realize that the Lakers still needed to sign Odom again, so the MLE was about all that they were going to offer…anyone…even Ron Artest, which is about what he signed for. Lee didn’t have to use the media to talk sh*t about the Laker’s offer. It’s the same crap he pulled in Andrew Bynum’s negotiations, but he didn’t understand the economic difference right now. He said it was about respect, but you know Lee told Trevor to sign the same offer from Houston just to save face. Now I’m sure Trevor is bummed, he was the hometown hero on a Championship team, now he’s just another average starter on team with the prospect of losing their star center for the year. I feel bad for him. I wish him luck. I know agents are supposed to get what they can and work for a player, but David Lee did him wrong. He was a d-bag to the Laker’s front office and got schooled. He thought he had a royal flush, but all he got was flushed.
July 3rd, 2009 at 3:51 pm
Steve says:
K Dizzle says:
“Dude gotta take a paycut to play in LA? Phuck that.”
Exactly what paycut are you referring to? He signed for the same amount the Lakers were going to give him.
July 3rd, 2009 at 4:07 pm
wanabballer says:
But why Houston? I mean if it was emotional, why don’t you sign with a team that contends and should be able to get to the championship game and hurt the Lakers the most?
I don’t think Ariza can handle the responsibilites of being the focus of an NBA team…
July 3rd, 2009 at 4:11 pm
K Dizzle says:
@ Steve
I meant in general. And if you missed it, we always expect players to take a paycut to stay in LA. Lamar was talkin about takin a paycut before the season was over. That’s great that Houston gave him the full MLE after his agent phuck’d him, but it was EXPECTED that he would take less money to stay with the franchise. That would be a paycut. Let’s be real for a second. Lakers could pay Lamar and Trevor 8-10 million a season for 5-7 years, be WAAAAAYYYY over the cap, and Buss would STILL make money
July 3rd, 2009 at 4:15 pm
Claw says:
Laker fans already drinking the kool-aid, Artest a much better player? Maybe back in the day but he still has lost a step and throws up terrible shots, Ariza is a better wing defender and is younger and going to get better.
We’ll see how it plays out, thought Joe Johnson was an idiot for going to Atlanta since the contracts weren’t off that much and he could play for a contendor with the Suns, probably glad where he is at right now.
July 3rd, 2009 at 4:19 pm
-SEIZ- says:
The fact is he didn’t get “paid” he took even less money 33 million for 5 years from Houston instead of the 35 million for 5 years from LA. Lee screwed Ariza by playing hardball with the Lakers. This deal was most definately not about getting paid.. it was about saving face…
July 3rd, 2009 at 4:26 pm
smoove chips says:
You on some EPMD shyt today Austin
On point like a mafluckin’ needle !!!
July 3rd, 2009 at 4:31 pm
hansosword says:
Respect? Saving face? Are you kidding?? Ariza was a great ROLE PLAYER on the lakers. Its easy to play with Kobe and Lamar and Pau and Derek… Ariza is going to fade into obscurity in Houston. Sure, he was a fan favorite, but the Lakers knew he was ultimately expendable. The Yahoo sports guy hit the nail on the head: The only real loser in all this is Trevor.
July 3rd, 2009 at 4:42 pm
. says:
Its not about Ariza its about his dumb agent.
July 3rd, 2009 at 4:59 pm
flegman says:
I just created a pro-sport cliché: Championship starts with ownership. I don’t know about salary cap, luxury tax but owners make much more than they invest in salaries. Otherwise there wouldn’t be owners… So an owner has to pay if he wants to keep his champion roster intact and more if he wants to upgrade it. btw signing ronron in the place of Travel isn’t a bad move. And Travel had to cash in, too. He can come back and “do a Derek Fisher”, the Lakers won’t decline (much) earlier than like 5 years from now, I think.
July 3rd, 2009 at 5:19 pm
POPPI GEE says:
What is funny to me is Laker fans acting like Ron is the end all and the answer to all their troubles.
I am just going to sit back and watch the show, cause sure Ron has a lot of wonderful qualities but it ain’t like he is the super duper up-grade from the help and key plays that Ariza gave during the playoffs.
I think if it ain’t broke don’t fix it really applies.
As far as Ariza well I have already stated that the Lakers were determined to get Ron a long time ago, and Ariza just happens to be the Lamb to slaughter.
Still to jump on a dude for leaving after he helped you win the trophy is crazy.
He did what he felt was in his best interest and he has a ring so why not go where you want to and that is the bottom line.
You can’t knock a dude for doing what he wants to do especially if it ain’t hurting nobody. Why not wish the dude well and hope he has some type of glory in Houston. All this he won’t be a star and he will regret it stuff is lame. He has made a nice mark for himself, he is a champion. He may not do as well in Houston but even if he doesn’t is it really that big of a deal?
If haters ain’t got nothing to hate on, they will create something. Dang.
July 3rd, 2009 at 5:37 pm
tp says:
alright this article is half on point.
if YOU were a GM and you had ron ron at mid level for 3 years, or trevor at mid level for 5 years.. who would you sign?!?!?
the lakers CHOSE ron ron over trevor.. this had nothing to do with trevor!
does he have a right to feel disrespected? HELL YES. he hit some HUGE shots, played some amazing defense, and knew his freakin role. the lakers essentially said “thanks for your time, we found someone else to better fill your role for the same price”.
so yes, he got disrespected. do i blame the lakers for making this move? not at all, its risky but there is potential for high reward. am i going to miss trevor? you bet, he was my favorite laker. so there it is folks.. stop blaming trevor.
July 3rd, 2009 at 5:38 pm
tp says:
@poppi gee
“Still to jump on a dude for leaving after he helped you win the trophy is crazy.”
that is right.. shame on all these fake ass fans
July 3rd, 2009 at 5:42 pm
tp says:
one last point.. the two people to blame are david lee and mitch kupchak.
david lee for WAY overplaying his hand, and for getting bynum OVERPAID
mitch kupchak for signing bynum to that salary (which may or may not be justified in these next two or three years, so jury is still out on that)
hey have you guys see the contracts sasha and luke walton have? try offering trevor less than them and see how that tastes
July 3rd, 2009 at 5:42 pm
knock knock says:
lmao to the people who are obviously not lakers fans saying that “artest is barely a step up” and what not. ARTEST IS A BETTER PLAYER THAN ODOM is. I mean, which three would you rather have??? kobe, pau, odom or kobe, pau, artest. Obviously the latter as he brings much more defense to the table. Anybody who says anything else didn’t watch the houston series where artest would beast through people into the lane. PAU gasol, a seven footer, couldn’t even hold him.
- POPPI GEE, im sure your one of the people who think shaqs an end all cure for the cavs too huh??
July 3rd, 2009 at 5:45 pm
tp says:
@knock knock
artest is obviously a better player than ariza.. its just a matter of “fit” (mostly with regards to offense)
i’m on the boat of the optimists right now.. if all he has to do is post up little guys and shoot WIDE open 3’s, then the bulls need to worry about their record getting broken.
of course we gotta resign LO first (he and ron ron are buddies, its gonna happen)
July 3rd, 2009 at 5:53 pm
flegman says:
check Adam Morrison’s salary. 5 mill next season and almost 7 mill in 10/11 for nothing (so far) – that’s not his fault… but come on.
July 3rd, 2009 at 6:10 pm
POPPI GEE says:
knock knock
- POPPI GEE, im sure your one of the people who think shaqs an end all cure for the cavs too huh??
I don’t really know how to respond to that lol or even a harder time figuring out where that statement comes from? To answer though no I don’t think Shaq is the end all for the cavs.
Weird.
Anyway in me saying Artest is “not” the end all or saying he isn’t a super upgrade from Trevor is not saying he is not a really good player.
It’s more saying that Artest is good yes but as any player he has some things about his game that hurt more than help.
To physical at times and commits silly fouls, ignores other players to “create his own shot” lol and will get three happy and commence to shooting like it’s all-star weekend and he is in the 3 point competition.
Better than Odom, hmmmm I can agree with that, but Odom brings different qualities and their games so different. Anyway I didn’t say he was barely an upgrade I said he wasn’t a super duper upgrade.
It ain’t like you get rid of Stromile Swift and you bringing in Duncan that is a super duper up-grade.
Ron is no doubt an upgrade but all this talk of 3 peats and talk like no other team can contest them just because of Ron is a lot bit pre-mature.
Trevor gave the Lakers what they needed, it’s going to be interesting to see if Ron gives the Lakers more than they want.
July 3rd, 2009 at 6:28 pm
QQ says:
Feeling cold on these so called LA fans trashing Ariza.
IMO, yall dont have a chip right now, without him. He was more valuable than Odom on your run.
This is human nature. Yall hel a team win a fucking championship, but you’ll learn that same team chose someone else you. The obvious reaction is to lash out, and show them what you are worth.
On the Lakers side though, the lure of a big name player is too much. All teams will behave like that.
July 3rd, 2009 at 6:30 pm
dk says:
@ Austin I fucking really cant believe you pulled out the black card. Un fucking believable. If I was black, I would smack they guy that pulled that everytime. What an ignorant whiny thing to say..
July 3rd, 2009 at 6:32 pm
dk says:
I believe people were talking about the Polish guy, the Turkish guy, and the New Yorker, but in your eyes the media is picking on the black. I hope you wrote that for rise because if not your foolissh
July 3rd, 2009 at 6:36 pm
dk says:
Furthermore everyone knows in the NBA that Adrian was right and it come from exec league sources. I think it was a bad move IMO time will prove that and maturity but it had nothing to do with pigment.
July 3rd, 2009 at 6:39 pm
dk says:
Sorry i didnt trash Hedo more but I dont give a fuck about the Magic dismantling a Finals team. And Hedos been around long enough to that magical run is done. OMFG I seen the black card on Dime go fig
July 3rd, 2009 at 6:41 pm
dk says:
Austin, maybe you should turn off the ESPN, alot of media, and people of light skein voted in a black man to be president of the nation. Can we get past the opression! You have a shot just like all of
July 3rd, 2009 at 6:59 pm
Irv says:
Austin you are so wrong it’s not even funny. as much as I loved Trevor’s contribution to #15, I wonder if Joe Johnson would have thrown such a hissy fit if he knew the levels of mediocrity he would have to endure in ATL as opposed to playing with Steve Nash? Or Posey in leaving Boston to play with a NO team that has no future? You see it time and time again, stupid NBA players taking money and ruining their careers on a team with no championship potential when they have the option to get paid AND play for a contender. Yea, Ariza got $33mil … so what? You think Ariza gets those wide open shots with Battier and Landry spacing the floor for him? Yao is done. even with CB4 on the floor, Kobe and Pau demand more defensive attention than CB4 does. I understand that Trevor feels slighted by LA, but his reaction proves why LA wanted to let him walk. At least sign for Cleveland. Or Miami. Houston is going nowhere. It was a dumb decision on his part and his agent’s part. All the money in the world doesn’t mean anything when you’re on a lottery team.
July 3rd, 2009 at 7:31 pm
Dagomar says:
Great, great article. I like this line: “the media wants to be every athlete’s advisor, because that’s how our society works; we all think we know what’s best for everybody.” We live in a society where everyone even slightly famous believes they can write a book, where everyone thinks they can run a country, where people are convinced they know the facts about climate better than scientists. Is that because specialist knowledge is no longer as respected, because everyone is raised to believe their opinion always matters, because low-level information is now so readily attainable, or are there deeper reasons?
Wojnarownski, by the way, is one of the worst sports journalists out there. Each of his articles overflows with melodrama; many are just shrill hit pieces (his diatribes on Shaq and Lebron this year were classic examples of simplistic, populist crap).
July 3rd, 2009 at 7:46 pm
knock knock says:
POPPI GEEE-
I’m saying when that when the kings added artest it took them to the playoffs and made them competitive. This talk of artest being less than his old self are true, but this makes LA have a top FOUR now. Artest was also a much bigger piece to Houston when they took LA to seven games. The most competitive series of the whole playoffs. Besides point guard, this team has by far the best team in the league.
July 3rd, 2009 at 8:04 pm
SWAT says:
@dk dog u never cease 2 amaze me. Do u think or proof read ur blog before u post? Imo this is one of austins best articles, period. The hate tht ariza is rcving now is crazy. Tht was the bottom line, the hate and the fact tht the media always knows best for these athletes. Tht was the point of the article.
Wht up gee? Me personally I think ariza has a bigger upside thn artest at this point in his career. I got wht u were sayin even if knock knock didnt
July 3rd, 2009 at 8:12 pm
SWAT says:
@ knock artest has lost a step n can no longer stay in front of his guy. In htown he had battier, who all he knows is d, odom and kobe only play d on occassion. The problem is his jacking shots…I wanna see how or if he doesn’t kick it to kobe how tht plays out. Dude would pull up just across the timeline. I hvnt ckd stats but I wanna say ariza was hittin from behind the arc more thn artest.
July 3rd, 2009 at 8:21 pm
Elvis says:
@26 I highly doubt the Lakers are going to extend a qualifying offer for Morrison for ‘10-’11 season so he is essentially an expiring contract.
And if my Magics don’t make a move and sign Wallace, we would have essentially traded Rafer, Lee, Gortat, and Hedo for Vinsanity and the team will be worst for it.
July 3rd, 2009 at 8:28 pm
Matt says:
Amen Austin
July 3rd, 2009 at 9:15 pm
dapro says:
It’s not the end of the world, his agent played hardball and lost
The bigger question is how they sign Ron Artest to 18 mil???
July 3rd, 2009 at 9:50 pm
heartbreaker85 says:
trevor ariza did what every player wants to do. be a major part of a title team.
now he’s getting the paycheck to back it up– with another team that might not contend anytime soon. what good is another ring when you’re not getting paid for the work you put in?
it’s the reverse kind for the old timers. old timers take huge paycuts to get a ring. ariza needed a big contract to complement his.
all this talk about “rings are more important than money” yeah that works, if you’re at the end of your career.
get yo money homie!
too bad though that he wont be as effective since he wont be playing off a great SG anymore (just ask James Posey when he left Wade/Allen/Pierce’s side) defenses wont leave him alone anymore as much as they did in LA.
July 3rd, 2009 at 10:13 pm
Steve says:
heartbreaker85 says:
>>>trevor ariza did what every player wants to do. be a major part of a title team.
now he’s getting the paycheck to back it up<<<
Do you mean the same sized paycheck the Lakers offered him and his agent promptly and indignantly rejected?
Granted the Lakers may have only offered him 3 years as opposed to 5 but if he’s as good as everyone thinks he is, after a 3 year deal then he could have made some serious bank.
July 3rd, 2009 at 10:49 pm
POPPI GEE says:
Knock Knock i can agree with all that you said. But like SWAT said Artest has this thing, a mode if you will, when he jacks shots like crazy ignoring everyone else.
I also want to see how it plays out if he goes into this mode. Great possibility he won’t but if he does. Ut oh.
heartbreaker85 you are right about him playing with a great sg. I think that will be a key difference for Ariza unless something happens where one Houston’s sg can get buckets.
Knock Knock if Sheed goes to Boston won’t they have a big four too?
July 3rd, 2009 at 11:14 pm
rangerjohn (cap and tax LMAO oops) says:
i am just trying to figure out where the need to point out that he is black come from. i mean there was no comments or even undertones yet austin you procede to make the color of his skin the very 1st point on your post.
this IMO is a huge reason why there is so much race relation issues or racism still today. leave this article at he is another role player or a “kid” (24 is still a kid to a lot of people including myself) but why do we need the “talented black athlete” thrown in? just for good measure or what?
and i agree he will be a piece (not as effective on the rockets) of some ok teams in houston. i also agree it was a failed power play to get more money which IMO he is not worth, not worth what he got for that mater.
July 4th, 2009 at 1:05 am
padoods says:
im sad to see trevor leave the lakers and wish he couldve stayed. he was crucial part in getting the championship. i’d even dare say that if not for his clutch O and D we wouldnt have won.
good luck to him with his new team and i hope he continues to get better
July 4th, 2009 at 2:12 am
Colton says:
i think ariza should have stayed a laker. but thats my opinion. and someone said hes got a family to feed. … i guarantee he can feed his family on his salary now. seriously. i hate when sports people use that analogy BOOO! but im not hatin on ariza. do your thing bOOOYYYYY!
July 4th, 2009 at 8:56 am
thomasmmm says:
no more cookie talk between kobe and ron-ron?
July 4th, 2009 at 8:59 am
Flip says:
WOW………
“…talented Black men…”
Tell me again how the color of his skin matters in any of this… Last time I checked, people were doing the same stuff with Ricky Rubio, too.
July 4th, 2009 at 10:59 am
knock knock says:
i dont wanna hear that battier is actually a better defender than artest. ALL SHANE DOES is put a hand in your face. A HAND!!! on the playground to an inside court, doesn’t matter if a hands in your face, your going to know where the basket is. period.
July 4th, 2009 at 12:50 pm
sadatkb says:
Trevor ariza is a bum his career average is 6.9 he was a bum on every team he ever played for i don’t even think you dummies even know basketball if he so good why nobody else payed him? pistons blazers raptors he was nobodys first or even second option. can he get his own shot no i’ll guess he;ll just wait for a double team to get open career 29 % 3 pt shooter now he’s reggie miller and forgot he starts to make shots in a contract year he’ll be a total bust for houston im willing to bet he’ll lose his starting job by the end of the year and wont average more than 12 pts with many nights checking in a 7 or 8 pts a game his role in the LAKER OFFENSE WAS GET TO THE OPEN spot big deal lets see if he can do what ron artest does every night 18 and 7 i”ll bet any one of you trevor lovers he want even come close. back to the bench scrub the lakers were right now you casual fans and low basketball iq people want to pay a bum on potential your break out season is 11 pts what comeback. upside please we thought 24 was old ask sam young and tyler hansborough now trevor is different cant dribbile or shoot time well prove you dummies wrong
July 4th, 2009 at 1:50 pm
Jordan says:
Without Trevor there to bail out kobe, the lakers wouldn’t have won it.
YES, BAIL OUT KOBE.
Remember game 3 when kobe choked away the game in the last 2 mins. Missed 4 shots, 2 turnovers on the most critical plays.
The next game they were down again in the second half, who dropped 13 pts in the 3rd to come back? Trevor… not kobe. kobe was shooting like crap again in the second half.
Add in the critical steals, offensive reb with 20secs left…. Ariza made more big plays than kobe through out the entire playoffs.
So yes it is about respect to a degree. You want to get paid of course. But there is also respect. No one wants to work for a company that doesn’t reward hardwork and good performance. The lakers will regret trading Ariza for “The Blackhole” that is RonRon. I want to see how the blackhole will play in the triangle. Ariza is ok with taking 7-9 shots a game. RonRon will want around 15. Thats going to come at the expense of other more efficient players like Pau Gasol. Do the lakers seriously rather have Ron take the shots or Pau? Anyone that has followed Ron, you would realize that he always dominates the ball and ends up forcing something.
July 4th, 2009 at 2:24 pm
dk says:
@ swat
my fingers are to big for my instinct asshole, and i dont care. your a fucking idiot if you dont think ariza has more upside, like duh… im a fan since before you ever heard his name dick…
July 4th, 2009 at 2:26 pm
dk says:
he will hate houston dick mouth, mark my words… and pulling the fucking race card was the most ignorant thing ive seen on this site outside of one of my opinions…
July 4th, 2009 at 2:27 pm
dk says:
@ jordan
and micheal jordan sucks it was all steve kerr and johnny paxson… fuck tard…
July 5th, 2009 at 5:09 am
keno says:
Well, it’s not like Lakers didn’t try to get Ariza before getting Artest. Lakers gave Trevor’s agent contract offer first, so if his agent played ‘hardball’ and rejected it, nobody should blame the Lakers for not trying. So, if Ariza’s pissed at Lakers then so be it. I’m not a big fan of breaking a championship team but what can you do if you can only spend so much and you did try to get Ariza to stay.Good luck Ariza! Thanks for everything! If you bitter about not being a Laker, then fire your agent!!
July 5th, 2009 at 5:31 am
cj says:
True Lakers fans did not come down hard on Ariza, we all came down hard on his agent David Lee. Lakers offered him what everyone else would have offered in this market. Lakers were not looking for homwtown discount. The agent is looking for Lakers to pay more than the market because Trevor was a hometown kid that did well. Most of Lakers fans were sad to see him go. Once all the other contenders started making moves, Lakers had no time to wait for Travor to look for that one team that would have paid him more than the MLE. Lakers new Lebron was talking to Artest and Ariza was having a meeting with a desparate GM in Houston. Lakers can not afford to lose both Ariza and Arest if they are to conted next year. You just don’t mess with Jerry, he is not afraid to cut ties (remember Shaq). Ariza’s agent overplayed his hands and got burned for it.
July 6th, 2009 at 9:15 pm
Smooooov says:
Gotta agree on this one that Ariza should have gotten a raise he was one of the talked about pieces in the L.A. cog the steals the 3’s the hustle why can’t dude get paid and in my opinion Adrian Wojnarownski should stop writing sports columns and start writing those cheesy romance novels dude always adding too much drama with his articles
July 10th, 2009 at 3:05 pm
SagJism says:
I am still tripping on Jordan thinking the reason the Lakers won was because of Ariza?
July 22nd, 2009 at 3:56 pm
eddie habba says:
David Lee sucks as an agent. Ariza should fire him pronto.