OT -- Ariza to the Houston Rockets Artest to the Lakers

by Class of 66 on Jul 3, 2009 4:56 AM PDT Comment 35 comments

The Houston Chronicle is reporting the trade.

Until last year, I could not have cared less about the Lakers; I lost interest during the Kobe/Shaq squabbles. I don't like drama and particularly not teenage drama. Kobe and Shaq were less mature than my very own teenager. I wouldn't pay attention to NYC Prep, so why watch these spoiled grown men? But, with the two Bruins on the roster, I rekindled my early allegiance to the Lakers and enjoyed last season. I really liked getting to know our one-and-done Ariza. Now it looks like I'll get a chance to get to know him better. Add another Bruin or two to the Rockets roster and, who knows, I may become a Rockets fan.

The online Chronicle Article I posted is different from the hard copy I have in front of me, written by the same reporter, Jonathan Feigin. Here are some interesting points:

1. Although not the Rocket's first choice, they were attracted to Ariza because of his "first rate" defense. Sound familiar?

2. That explains why Houston wanted Ariza. What I can't understand is why Ariza was willing to leave the Lakers. Money? Not according to Feigin: The deal Ariza took was less than he was offered by the Lakers.

Ariza told the Lakers and other teams it wasn't going to be about the money, but that's what people say. He apparently meant it, however, one source estimates he left $9 million on the table to join the Rockets.

So, what was it about? Ariza is joining a team with a hole at center. Recent reports here are that Yao's injury may end his career.

3. The article describes an extremely talented Artest whose inconsistency and instability made him expendable. That said, he was on his best behavior in Houston -- but even that did not appear good enough for the Rockets. Apparently, the straw that pushed the balance toward not resigning Artest was the fact that he constantly yelled at the Rocket's young guards -- even when asked not to -- and the Rockets will be a young team next year. And, it makes clear that he is not a thug but, rather " ... a thoughtful man with a charitable heart and a winning smile."

I can understand why Artest would jump at the Laker's offer.

But, I cannot understand why Ariza would open the door by refusing it. But, hey, I live in Houston where it's been over 100 and humid for a month. I'm not sure why anyone lives here.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of BruinsNation's (BN) editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of BN's editors.

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the deals were about even

the lakers have a bad taste in their mouth from Trevor’s agent, who negotiated Bynum’s contract in the media, and he already started the same with Trevor, complaining to the press that the Lakers weren’t offering enough money and saying Trevor was going to shop.

The lakers said fine, found a better option, and moved on. Trevor needs a new agent because he did him no favors in this negotiation

"when you've seen how big the world is, how can you make due with this?"

by silverlakebruin on Jul 3, 2009 6:44 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I agree with silver

I also think that Trevor got his ring so there wasn’t as much incentive to stay on a team likely to contend again for the championship. Houston is a good team but I don’t see them competing for the title next year, especially with Yao’s status.

Artest is a reformed thug. He is very talented and was not thuggish last year and business and business as far as the Lakers are concerned. LA had a chance to get him so they did and Artest is saying all the right things about playing for Kobe, Phil & Co. And now he has a chance for a ring next year while I don’t think Trevor does.

Ariza’s agent’s first comments during the negotiations were extremely obnoxious and I think the Lakers just said forget it. I am sorry to see Trevor go. He had a great season and seems to be a team player who is just now reaching his potential. But this whole event seems to be all about the dinero which is not unusual in the NBA.

by Barnes2JJ on Jul 3, 2009 7:09 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

David Lee is an Ass

by Tydides on Jul 3, 2009 9:59 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Forget the money. The same money will go further in Texas. What Ariza is really hurting is his next contract – he’s not going to have the type of players around him as he did in the Lakers, and he’s not going to shine quite like he did. And as a result, he’ll be less valuable at the end of his stint with the Rockets. Unless they trade him to somewhere with a comparable talent level as the Lakers.

by Harsha on Jul 3, 2009 10:50 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Too Bad

Sorry to hear that an agent messed things up.

I think Ariza fit the Lakers well. And, I think Kobe was sincere when he said, right after the celebration, that the Lakers needed to lock Ariza down.

There are many good agents — but there are some who put themselves and their egos before the needs of their clients.

One of my favorite characters on TV is Ari of Entourage. He is a composite of so many agents I’ve known — except, unlike many, behind it all he has an incredible heart and truly loves Vinny.

I can’t see how Trevor’s agent could “love” him and do what he did. I’m not knocking the Rockets. They have a great coach and a good team. And, for all my complaining about living in Exile, Houston is a very good place to live.

But, Trevor is going from a team on which he finally found his place to a team that will struggle to develop a personality wihout Yao.

sjh

by Class of 66 on Jul 3, 2009 8:46 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

P.S. 9 days until the Entourage season premiere

Maybe I’m a little excited?

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Jul 3, 2009 10:54 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh really!

Excellent! I need a distraction from this Artest/Ariza scene. What a bummer. :(

by uclafan11 on Jul 3, 2009 11:10 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

ha! What a bummer is right.

I hate that show.

by Seanny Rotten on Jul 4, 2009 11:21 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

David Lee

looked at himself and saw Scott Boras. Unfortunately, the rest of the world saw him as, well, David Lee. According to what I read, David Lee ran his mouth off before the negotiations began saying, the Lakers will not be getting any “hometown discount” and expecting the Lakers to throw 7 million at Trevor when there was no other team willing to spend that kind of cash. So Mitch Kupchak called his bluff, told him go find your best offer and we’ll take it from there. Problem was, David Lee had no offers because he made them all up! And then just like that, Ron is available, and here we are now.

I highly doubt Trevor wanted to leave L.A. and I blame his agent for the most part. However, keep in mind, the Lakers ran into this same problem last year with Andrew Bynum and his agent, who also happens to be…DAVID LEE. And Bynum eventually told David to just get it done with L.A. even if that meant taking less than the minimum which Lee first scoffed at. So I guess my point is, Ariza could’ve told his agent to shut his trap and that he would take the 5-6 million a year (which would still be a hefty raise). But he didn’t, and now he’s stuck playing in Houston for essentially the same amount he could’ve had in L.A.

Ariza’s camp should not have been playing the “disrespected” card. It goes both ways. The Lakers took him out of a bad situation in Orlando, stuck with him in his first injury plagued year, and eventually Ariza got himself a championship ring. This really should’ve been an easy signing since both sides wanted the same thing…instead, Lee tried to play hardball and got burned.

by LavinRuinedCollege on Jul 3, 2009 9:35 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

The article below pretty much sums up how I feel about the whole thing

No, this wasn’t about the money, nor his client’s needs. This was a failed power play, an embarrassment of the highest order. Looking back, Ariza will rue the day.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=aw-artestkobe070309&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

I say again: David Lee is an Ass.

by Tydides on Jul 3, 2009 10:21 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

we know how this goes...

ariza left ucla earlier than we all anticipated and rather abruptly. who were we to expect anything different while he was a laker? he’s a great player and i hope it works out for him. but in any case, i guess we shoulda seen it coming. trevor was a rolling stone…

Across The Face

by rb bruin on Jul 3, 2009 11:33 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

All of these posts are spot on

I think both the Lakers and Trevor would’ve loved for him to stay in L.A., but with Trevor’s agent’s hardball tactics and miscalculations of the Lakers lure to a solid veteran like Artest, the rest is history. A not-so-subtle message to agents in the future: Don’t screw with Kupchak and the Lakers.

I also think it is funny that the elite teams (Lakers, Spurs, Cavs, and Magic) are all getting stronger by picking up proven veterans in free agency, while all the perennial doormats are hedging on the unproven, immature one and dones.

by godblesstyus95 on Jul 3, 2009 3:42 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Terrible agent

Ariza’s agent not only negotiated through the media with his whining, but completely misjudged the market if he thought Ariza should have gotten $8-9 million/season. The Lakers were presented with an opportunity to nab a former All-Star and Defensive Player of the Year for the MLE, exactly what they had budgeted for Ariza. The Lakers didn’t want to waste time negotiating with Ariza’s agent and possibly lose out on Artest. This was just another case of the agent trying to make a name for himself. Second year in a row he negotiated through the media instead of doing things privately with the Lakers.

Plus, I don’t know how real the Toronto offer was. They could have been leveraging that offer to get Marion to re-sign at a more reasonable contract. Too bad Ariza put so much trust in a guy that didn’t have his best interests in mind. Now everyone knows who David Lee is.

by UCLA4Life on Jul 3, 2009 6:34 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

You mentioned the other factor at work here

This is the same guy that represents Bynum. It’s perfectly logical that the Lakers’ front office was simply sick of this guy’s shtick after he pulled a lot of the same crap on them last year when they were negotiating Drew’s extension.

by Tydides on Jul 4, 2009 1:18 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agree

I hate losing Trevor, a talented young player, and I’m not a huge fan of Artest the person, but we can’t deny Artest brings a lot of needed toughness to the team along with legitimate skills. And the Lakers don’t have to deal with an agent who negotiates through the press.

Trevor should put up nice numbers in Houston but I don’t see another championship in his immediate future. The agents are focused on bucks and not rings and maybe that is just how it is.

by Barnes2JJ on Jul 4, 2009 1:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wow, Artest and Kobe together

These guys are two of the more intense leaders in the NBA. There’s gonna be no screwin’ around on that team next year, just pure focus and intensity….reminds me a little of Ben-ball. :)

by bornagainbruin on Jul 4, 2009 12:19 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Whaaa??

Kobe: No screwin’ around? I guess we aren’t counting hotel rooms.

Artest…focused….until he snaps.

This team may very well win another ring. But I’m gonna feel cheap and dirty if I find myself cheering for them (Farmar, excepted of course).

by insomniacslounge on Jul 4, 2009 11:05 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm sorry

exactly what was Kobe convicted of?

Adultery? If you won’t root for an adulterer, I suggest you turn off the NBA because their won’t be any teams you can follow.

"when you've seen how big the world is, how can you make due with this?"

by silverlakebruin on Jul 6, 2009 9:16 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Along with most of professional sports

by Tydides on Jul 6, 2009 9:25 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Kobe essentially admitted his guilt

He said in his apology that he could see how the encounter could have been seen as not being consensual.

by insomniacslounge on Jul 8, 2009 12:10 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Paying your way out of a conviction is not the same as being innocent.

by insomniacslounge on Jul 8, 2009 12:12 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree with the Insomniac here

No one will ever know if Bryant would have been convicted if the criminal case had gone to trial. When the victim said she wouldn’t testify, that put an end to that. Bryant’s statement made it clear that the issue in the criminal trial was not whether the act took place, but whether there was consent. That’s not the same as “I didn’t do it.”

In one respect, Bryant is certainly no different from many other players and from everyone else on earth, in that he succumbed to temptation. What I don’t quite understand is how this whole incident has been swept from the memories of the world, and Bryant is adulated not just as a great basketball player, but as being a great leader and all that. I’ll give him the great basketball player business, but I will take Afflalo or Collison and lots of others as leaders over Bryant. “Leaders” in this context means people who have demonstrated leadership in life, not just in sports.

Now Insomniac, that was a rant. I don’t think a one-liner can qualify as a rant.

by Fox 71 on Jul 8, 2009 4:28 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

I agree that both players are intense

It was the comparison to Howland’s players- who by and large demonstrate tremendous character off the court as well as on- that got under my skin a bit.

by insomniacslounge on Jul 8, 2009 12:22 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Technically true

But that “apology” was definitely written by his lawyers after, I am 99.9% positive, long negotiations between both camps (his accuser and Kobe’s legal team).

There’s no question Kobe cheated on his wife but I would bet anything that the precise wording of that apology—in particular, the part about whether his act could be seen as non-consensual—was carefully worked out between both sides prior to Kobe’s reading of it. I think most attorneys who have been involved in settlement negotiations know that statements of apology, and payments of money, do not always reflect reality nor the true feelings of the parties.

It is legitimate to question Kobe’s character. But I don’t think his apology means any more than what was agreed to by Kobe and his accuser, through their respective attorneys, as part of the settlement of a lawsuit.

by Barnes2JJ on Jul 8, 2009 8:30 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Last rant...

Also, the “everyone else does it, so it isn’t a big deal” doesn’t wash at all. If that’s the case, then why shouldn’t UCLA start paying high school kids and faking their SATs so we can get guys like Derrick Rose and OJ Mayo in Blue and Gold?

Just because there are fewer people measuring up to a set of standards doesn’t mean the solution is to get rid of the standards.

by insomniacslounge on Jul 8, 2009 12:25 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I wouldn't...

call Artest a leader. Excellent move though by the Lakers. Artest is a much more skilled player than Ariza.

by LavinRuinedCollege on Jul 7, 2009 1:06 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

and don't bother voting for any politicians either... =)

Across The Face

by rb bruin on Jul 6, 2009 9:45 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Artest

If Coach Jackson was able to figure out Dennis Rodman, I am not all that worried about him dealing with Artest. Too bad for Ariza. Looks like he was served really poorly by his agent. Good luck to him in Houston.

by Nestor on Jul 7, 2009 5:26 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Ariza's Mantra: I wanted to go where I was wanted.

A few days ago, Ariza told the Houston Chronicle that he wanted to be where he was wanted — and that he felt he was not wanted in LA and was wanted in Houston.

How in the world could Ariza think LA did not want him? After all, Kobe came right out and said that it was important that Ariza be signed.

Why didn’t this message get to Ariza?

I’ll put my money on the agent. I’ll bet he made Ariza feel insecure about LA and sent him to Houston to cover the fact that Laker management was not going along with the agent’s negotiating nonsense.

In both Hollywood and sports, the “stars” are often insecure and very much under the control of their agents.

That’s why it is critical to find the right representatives — and many fail in doing so.

I feel bad for Trevor. Houston has a lot of plusses, but he had a better situation in LA.

sjh

by Class of 66 on Jul 7, 2009 8:46 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

That's exactly what happened to me!

I wanted to stay at UCLA for med school but got wait listed. Baylor in Houston accepted me right away, and so I moved to Texas.

Well, maybe that’s not really the same thing.

greg in denver - UCLA guy for life

by gbruin on Jul 7, 2009 10:08 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

That's why I signed with Boras after I graduated

I left everything in his hands and he got me signed to a three year deal with University of San Diego Law. It had a no-trade clause (my option) contingent upon my making the team the second semester. You really need to get the right agent for grad school.

by Fox 71 on Jul 7, 2009 10:46 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

See? It's my fault.

Unless you are Steve Young, you should never try to represent yourself. Something about having a fool for a client, right?

It’s just that Leigh Steinberg was already tied up with some Aikman guy in Texas at the time…

greg in denver - UCLA guy for life

by gbruin on Jul 7, 2009 11:40 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

You Came Out OK

You went to a great medical school in a city that has a very strong medical presence.

Is that why you came back to help during Ike?

Best,

sjh

by Class of 66 on Jul 7, 2009 4:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

My side job...

I do medical support for the Colorado Urban Search & Rescue task force. We get deployed as a federal or state emergency response asset for hurricanes, tornadoes, structural collapse (World Trade Center, Ok City Fed Bldg), etc, to perform search and rescue missions. It’s great fun, kinda like the Nat’l Guard for disaster response – although it’s certainly better for everyone if we can stay at home.

So that’s why I was there. That, and I was hungry for the Ragin’ Cajun on Richmond!

And, true, the training at BCM, Ben Taub, and the rest of the TMC was incredible. It was definitely worth the summers.

greg in denver - UCLA guy for life

by gbruin on Jul 7, 2009 5:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs