ARIZA = Artest skills without BAGGAGE / ATTITUDE

iml84myd8s · by **iml84myd8s** on Thu Jul 31, 2008 7:08 am

If Ariza’s foot does not have any lingering health issues, Ariza can provide everything Artest can provide on the court such as defense, energy, athletism, heart, toughness, and offense from the small forward position. However, based on Ariza’a time in the NBA, it is clear that Ariza provides additional benefits to a locker room as well as off the court!

Artest’s most recent comment is only a small sample of the plethora of ridiculous statements Artest has made over his NBA career. Laker fans should take joy in the fact Artest is a problem for another team. If not now, in time, all Laker fans will be take pleasure about Artest not becoming a Laker.

In time, Ariza will make everyone forget about the possibilities of Artest becoming one of the Lakers.

Ariza is a special player who is starting to become a special NBA player!!

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3512419

Yao expressed concerns about team chemistry to the Houston Chronicle and referenced Artest's involvement in the 2004 brawl with Pistons fans.

"Hopefully, he's not fighting anymore and going after a guy in the stands," Yao said, according to the Chronicle.

When asked about those comments, Artest said Yao had bought into "all the propaganda" about him, according to The Sacramento Bee.

"I understand what Yao said, but I'm still ghetto," Artest said, according to the report. "That's not going to change. I'm never going to change my culture. Yao has played with a lot of black players, but I don't think he's ever played with a black player that really represents his culture as much as I represent my culture. Once Yao Ming gets to know me, he'll understand what I'm about.

"If you go back to the brawl, that's a culture issue right there," Artest added, according to the report. "Somebody was disrespecting me, so he's got to understand where I'm coming from. People that know me know that Ron Artest never changed."

"We've still got to make sure there's still a commitment [from the Rockets]," Artest said, according to the Bee. "That's the main thing, is to make sure there's still a commitment. When I speak to the powers-that-be of the Houston Rockets' organization, we're going to find out how much they really want me there. We'll find out. I'm still waiting to find out if this is just a trade or if this is like a long-term commitment-type thing. I haven't spoken to anybody yet. I'm still waiting."

He also told said he's waiting for a phone call from Yao, according to the Bee.

"I guess once Yao Ming approves [the deal], I'll be a Houston Rocket," Artest said, according to the report. "[Yao] probably should've called me first. But at the same time, it's Yao Ming's team."

DNP · by **DNP** on Thu Jul 31, 2008 7:16 am

artest ftw any day.

.

UncLaker · by **UncLaker** on Thu Jul 31, 2008 7:16 am

Does Trevor have the same offensive game as Ron Ron???
Artest is a legit 3rd option IMO. ARIZA is not!!

Aonex · by **Aonex** on Thu Jul 31, 2008 7:16 am

He could bulk up a little bit though if we want him to guard some of the bigger small forwards that Artest would have been able to defend.

Kobe Bryant 8 · by **Kobe Bryant 8** on Thu Jul 31, 2008 7:18 am

Ariza doesn't have the size and power that Artest has. Artest can body some 4's, and Ariza STILL has some trouble taking on the elite SG's and SF's. Offensively, Artest is highly underrated as a playmaker, as well as coming off of screens at the high post.

Artest >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Ariza.

BDG · by **BDG** on Thu Jul 31, 2008 7:31 am

I'm high on Ariza as a future defensive stopper, but he has to develop a consistent jumper and ability to create off the dribble before we even consider comparing him to Artest.

His three point shot has improved since being traded here though, which is a positive sign.

In the longrun I think Trevor could become a more athletic version of Tayshaun Prince (assuming he fixes that jumper) rather than a physical player like Artest.

chug o nomics · by **chug o nomics** on Thu Jul 31, 2008 7:56 am

Artest >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Ariza at this point

Don't overrate Ariza right now, he hasn't even accomplished anything. Artest on the other hand is a premiere defensive player and is a legit 2nd option.

jjin28 · by **jjin28** on Thu Jul 31, 2008 8:00 am

all the posts disagree with the op regarding ariza, which is absolutely true. Sorry Artest is way way way way way better than ariza.

However, the op brings up another point which I totally agree with. Just read that article. Im glad Artest didnt come here. Already starting off on a bad foot. Im sure many black people will disagree that Ron Artest self proclaims that he represents black culture and what happened at the palace is "black culture"

And he's already demanding salary extension with a payday from the rockets. And he's calling out the franchise player. whats wrong with this guy? haha

the_Dude · by **the_Dude** on Thu Jul 31, 2008 8:22 am

Ariza isn't at Ron's level yet but you can already see that everyone on this forum likes Ariza and Ariza loves it here. I agree with everyone about his health, offense and about bulking up. Ron Ron might end up ruining this trade. Remember that there are still 2 weeks left for him to convince Yao and the Rockets that they are making a mistake.

John3:16 · by **John3:16** on Thu Jul 31, 2008 8:53 am

Ariza is a REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, REALLY poor man's version of Artest.

Vincey · by **Vincey** on Thu Jul 31, 2008 8:59 am

Yeah I love Ariza but he doesn't compare to Ron offensively nor defensively.

gcclaker · by **gcclaker** on Thu Jul 31, 2008 9:29 am

Ariza can or could become the squad's BEST on-ball individual defender. He is rangy, fast with excellent anticipation. No slight to Bryant who has a tendency to chase the ball. I do see Ariza taking most of Walton's minutes this upcoming season.

OchoX3 · by **OchoX3** on Thu Jul 31, 2008 9:39 am

I love Ariza, and he's young, so POTENTIALLY he could become as good as Artest, but right now he's not close.

To say he's equal or better now, give some of what you got :smoker:

JSM · by **JSM** on Thu Jul 31, 2008 9:52 am

I'm a big Trevor supporter. He's one of my favorite players on the roster and I think he's the 3rd best defensive player on this roster.

That said, he's a homeless man's Artest at best.

The up shot is that Trevor is only 23, has a good work ethic, and will get much better than he is today.

SignPippenNow · by **SignPippenNow** on Thu Jul 31, 2008 9:56 am

Posts like this make it clear why people are called fans and that is short for fanatic. There is no way on this earth Trevor Ariza will make anyone forget Artest. I love both of them actually and I was jumping up and down when Ariza got traded here, but Ariza and Artest don't belong in the same sentence.

2Pacalypse · by **2Pacalypse** on Thu Jul 31, 2008 10:21 am

Artest is one of the best if not the best perimeter defender in the league... he can also give you 15 PPG.

nameant · by **nameant** on Thu Jul 31, 2008 10:27 am

C'mon now. We all love Trevor, but he's no Artest. :nono2:

D Nice · by **D Nice** on Thu Jul 31, 2008 10:32 am

Good joke topic. Oh wait...you were serious?

:man10:

revgen · by **revgen** on Thu Jul 31, 2008 10:32 am

Artest is far and ahead better than Ariza offensively.

Artest is way stronger than Ariza. I don't believe Ariza has the frame to match Artest strengthwise.

Ariza is just quicker. That's it.

JSM · by **JSM** on Thu Jul 31, 2008 10:47 am

revgen wrote:Ariza is just quicker. That's it.

And he has more hops. But that's it.

LakerFlyer · by **LakerFlyer** on Thu Jul 31, 2008 10:48 am

With Ariza, its about potential. IMHO, he has the potential to be a Michael Cooper type player, who for many of us, was one of our top 3 favorite Lakers in the day! He may never get to Coop's level, but he is that type of player. Remember, Coop didn't have a 3 pt shot early in his career either, but he sure developed oneA!

With Artest, its what you see is what you get. Superstar talent, along with sky high baggage - no thanks!

Punk-101 · by **Punk-101** on Thu Jul 31, 2008 11:05 am

The only thing Ariza has on Ron is hops.

Every facet of Ron's offensive game other than finishing with dunks is superior to Ariza's.

Artest is a freak of nature on defense. He is incredibly strong for his size and has the ability to hold his own against many Pf's; yet he is also quick enough to stick with Sg's on the perimeter. Thats a very rare combo.

As mentioned, Ariza is more of a Tayshaun in the making. (Which is very good in itself)

Alleyhoops · by **Alleyhoops** on Thu Jul 31, 2008 11:06 am

with all due respect, just a terrible comparison.

rock0100 · by **rock0100** on Thu Jul 31, 2008 11:11 am

I dont think Ariza is as good as Artest. Not even close.

That being said, Ariza is still a good player. I wouldn't mind trading Odom for Hinrich & Gooden and using Ariza as our starting SF.

dagreatkobe · by **dagreatkobe** on Thu Jul 31, 2008 11:23 am

Honestly Ariza right now is about as good as Devean George was in his better playing season's with the Lakers. They're both very effective against certain types of players and teams but they're not consistent on a game basis like Artest is. The great thing about Ariza is he WANTS to be here and has a great personality. Its always nice to see people in your hometown you grew up with make it somewhere. :jam2:

ARIZA = Artest skills without BAGGAGE / ATTITUDE

ARIZA = Artest skills without BAGGAGE / ATTITUDE

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