Last year, the Lake-Show swept the Cavs. This year? 0-2 and LeBron was unstoppable.
It's not that Ariza shut these stars down last year, but it seemed like he played a lot harder and got the job done most of the nights, right?
I mean he always made the clutch steals and 3's from the corner in very crucial moments. He helped the Lakers get a ring and I expected, as many Laker fans did, that he'd be back to fight for another.
Who wouldn't think that he'd be back? He didn't do anything in the first 6 years of his career. He comes to the Lakers in a trade and wins a ring his second year on the team.
However, Ariza thought, because of how he came through in the playoffs, that he should be paid a lot more. That was a questionable call for Mitch Kupchak because they're already are paying Kobe, Gasol, Bynum, and Odom a lot of money. I was upset with Ariza for asking for some more money, but he had a point.
Although, it shouldn't be about money, unfortunately it is for most athletes whether we like it or not. It's definitely a business. Every athlete should get paid on how they perform and most of the time it works out that way.
Anyway, obviously we got Artest: a guy who has proved throughout his career that he is one of the best defenders in the game and that he can beat people up on and off the court. He's a clown for sure, but a guy who I thought would fit because the Lakers need a tough guy on this team other than Kobe.
Artest is the guy for this. Right now he's averaging 11 pts, 3.4 ast, and 4.8 reb, but I could care less about his points per game average. It's all about playing defense and hitting big shots when needed.
He hasn't done much of that this year, even though he's had his moments. He needs to be more consistent and actually come up big in big games. So far, the Lakers have not come up big and won these big games, especially on the road. It's not all Artest's fault, but he did not shutdown the big stars of the team like we all expect him to. Don't get me wrong its tough to stop a Lebron James and a Carmelo Anthony, but we expect them to be contained.
I heard the issue come up today on ESPN radio and I thought I would talk about it. For all you Laker fans, we will be alright. Playoffs is when it really matters. We just have to believe in the guy because he's shut down stars his whole career. If he can stay healthy, and out of trouble, it's all gravy for the Lake Show.
So no, I'm not upset about having Artest instead of Ariza. Besides, it's only been half of the season. Artest is only going to improve and get used to playing with these Lakers. He will step up when it counts, and if he does, expect a ring come June!
Blatz out!
4 comments:
im not worried yet i think artest still needs more time to settle in the lakers have been hurt all season and artest has had few games with everyone healthy so if he could just start to find out were he fits and pick up the d before playoffs we will be ok
Yea and last year we got SWEPT by the Orlando Magic and how'd that end up for us? Personally LeBum and the Cavs need to worry about getting to the finals first. Come playoff time the Lake Show will be running like Usain Bolt...I think you get the picture!
Artest is a much a better player than Ariza. However, I believe it was certain intangibles that Ariza brought, like energy and enthusiasm, that seems to be missing from this Laker team.
i agree that this laker team is missing some energy and enthusiasm but this team is a little older and reminds me of the spurs teams that were wining they sort of just cruise till playoffs so the energy should pick up come playoff time
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