It’s Game Day LA!

—-Tony Moustakelis

David Lee? Wait are we talking about the New York Knicks player that led the league in double doubles last year? A player that you would think would be talked about this off season because of his free agency? That’s not the case, seems the other David Lee is getting more attention. A man who has made himself notorious with many, especially in the eyes of beloved Lakers fans when he tried to pull a Scott Boras with the most historic franchise in all of basketball.

The question now is, did he do the Lakers a favor by his little stunt? In some eyes yes he did, because in turn the Lakers got a proven winner in Ron Artest.

A player who has shown that he is a brilliant player with an amazing skill set that goes beyond his famous defensive ability in which he is so known for. A player that can not only lock down the team’s top player, but that can score when called upon. I’m not just talking about just a spot up shooter (see Vladamir Radmonovic). But a player that can create his own shot. He can wear you down with his big 6 7’ frame by posting you up and pounding it in the inside. He can spot up and shoot the three, contested or not. Go off the dribble and shoot. Though again known for his defensive ability, that is only one aspect, one mere dimension of his all around game. His rebounding is exceptional, and it will be welcomed with an already strong front line of Andrew Bynum, and Pau Gasol.

The defense will be the gem in this whole acquisition. It helps out more then just what you see on paper, or a stat sheet. Artest’s defense ability will help Kobe Bryant in the present as well as in the future. Instead of Kobe having to guard the opposing teams best player night in night out, that duty now can be passed on to Artest. Think of it, Kobe Bryant in the 2010 NBA Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Lakers can have Artest on Lebron the whole time with Kobe there to switch over. What a two headed nightmare for the opposing team.  The wear and tear on Kobe can be minimal with him having to carry less of a load. Therefore in the end it leads to him performing better and more efficiently on the offensive end.

Losing Ariza will hurt the Lakers because he had the speed and the quickness added with the youth for the long run. But when you sink it all in, Ariza went to a team where he won’t hurt you too much, and you won’t have to face him much at all. He went to a Houston team that seems to be going only down hill. With your two franchise corner stones in question, there isn’t much to look forward to.

Not taking anything away from Ariza as a player, but he wont shine as much as he did in Los Angeles. The wide open three pointers that were given to him in the playoffs as a result from the double teams on Kobe will not be present. He will have to work to create his own shot on the perimeter which he has proven he can not do night in night out. Especially on a team where he is going to be one of the main focal points of offensive production.

Artest going to a championship team, where he gets to live in one of the most beautiful cities, with the most marketable team. Ariza goes to a Houston team with no bright road ahead. A lost opportunity for a man that could have been such a marketable figure. He is losing more then just another shot at a ring here. It should paint an interesting picture. But having Artest on a team and being able to say he is the 4^th best player on the roster? That is unheard of, but wait this is Lakerland, when we thought we seen it all, we are again proven wrong. Welcome to LA # 37.

Tonymoustakelis@gmail.com