Line Of The Week

[garnett_21]

Straight from the August 17, 2009 issue of Sports Illustrated:

Retired NBA executive and Hall of Famer Jerry West talked about the Lakers signing forward Ron Artest, who will replace departed free agent Trevor Ariza: "Will (Artest) fit into what they're doing? Trevor Ariza was a nice fit for them. Ariza's not as talented as Artest, but sometimes talent gets in the way of people being able to play well together."

My reason for posting this? Don't assume the 2010 title is yours just because you got Artest, Laker fans. Jerry West has a good point here, and I think he knows what he's talking about.

Also, I'm not bashing the Lakers or their fans...just posting what I thought was an interesting comment by Jerry West.

[#50 Tyler Hansbrough]

very good post Nathan. I agree!!!!!

[selby56]

I don't think the Lakers have to worry about Artest being in the way, but I think they have other things to worry about. Artest is an improvement over Ariza, but that is really all they did this off-season. The Cavs obviously added Shaq and have a stronger bench, the Spurs added Jefferson and have a stronger bench, and the Celtics have added Sheed and a stronger bench. If I were a Lakers fan, I'd be more worried about those improved line-ups than if Artest is going to fit in.

[jeebus86]

There really is no reason to think that Artest won't be a good fit for the Lakers. I mean, unlike Ariza, the guy took less money to try and win a championship. So I'm sure he's gonna do everything he can to fit into the Lakers system.

Also, you guys have to understand; Artest needs the Lakers a whole lot more then the Lakers need Artest. The Lakers already proved that they could win a championship without a Ron Artest, so he really has no other choice but to fit in, since his reputation is riding on it.

I don't think the Lakers have to worry about Artest being in the way, but I think they have other things to worry about. Artest is an improvement over Ariza, but that is really all they did this off-season. The Cavs obviously added Shaq and have a stronger bench, the Spurs added Jefferson and have a stronger bench, and the Celtics have added Sheed and a stronger bench. If I were a Lakers fan, I'd be more worried about those improved line-ups than if Artest is going to fit in.

Yeah, and all those teams upgraded so they could catch up with the Lakers. Remember, the Lakers are already the Champions, they really had no need to upgrade, but yet they did with the acquisition of Ron Artest.

[jeebus86]

Also, i have a strong feeling that the main reason why Jerry West made this comment was so it would motivate the Lakers and Ron Artest a lot more. Much like the comments he made when he said Lebron took Kobes place as the best player in the nba. What did Kobe do afterwards? He won himself a championship. This is all for motivation, nothing more.

[selby56]

Yeah, and all those teams upgraded so they could catch up with the Lakers. Remember, the Lakers are already the Champions, they really had no need to upgrade, but yet they did with the acquisition of Ron Artest.

Of course the other teams upgraded so they could contend...that is kinda the point. And I don't know about the Lakers being Champions meaning that they don't need to upgrade, like you said, other teams are going to get better, the Lakers have a target on their backs now, and every team has a weakness or an area that they can improve on, same goes for the defending Champions. Artest is an improvement over Ariza, but that was your big off-season move, and Artest isn't dramatically that much better than Ariza I don't think.

[jeebus86]

Of course the other teams upgraded so they could contend...that is kinda the point. And I don't know about the Lakers being Champions meaning that they don't need to upgrade, like you said, other teams are going to get better, the Lakers have a target on their backs now, and every team has a weakness or an area that they can improve on, same goes for the defending Champions. Artest is an improvement over Ariza, but that was your big off-season move, and Artest isn't dramatically that much better than Ariza I don't think.

Okay, who can the lakers possibly add that would make them even better? We're already stacked up as it is, so why do the lakers want to add more players, if it's gonna take away the minutes of our star players like Kobe, Gasol, Artest, Odom, and Bynum? It doesn't make sense to add more players, just for the sake of adding a player. You add a player if he is able to make a huge contribution, and i don't think there's any other player the Lakers could add that would make that kind of contribution.

And besides, yeah other teams have made some nice acquisitions, but i still don't think they match up against with what the Lakers have.

[garnett_21]

You add a player if he is able to make a huge contribution

How'd that work out with Adam Morrison?

[jeebus86]

How'd that work out with Adam Morrison?

That trade was for Shannon Brown.

....and to free up cap space, but I have a feeling Adam is gonna be really good for us this year.

[garnett_21]

That trade was for Shannon Brown.

....and to free up cap space, but I have a feeling Adam is gonna be really good for us this year.

lol

I hope he does do well...I've liked him since his days at Gonzaga...was really hoping he'd do well, but his career has never taken off...maybe this year will be different for him!