L.A. Lakers Say Hello to Ron Artest – and Good-Bye to Trevor Ariza

There is an old sports adage – “what have you done lately?“. In the case of Trevor Ariza, the answer would be very simple – “help win a NBA Championship just a few weeks ago“. The appreciation for that effort is that essentially the L.A. Lakers and the Houston Rockets swapped players. It was Ron Artest for Trevor Ariza.

Perhaps the Lakers were not happy with the team chemistry that won a professional championship for them. And, incidentally, Trevor Ariza shot over forty seven percent (47.6%) from three point territory during the playoffs.

The L.A. Lakers gave up someone who is young and still developing his game for someone who has a less than stellar reputation throughout the league. Phil Jackson was able to manage such colorful personalities such as Dennis Rodman and contend for championships. He will have to polish up his zen-charm for dealing with Ron Artest.

For the sports scribes in Los Angeles, this is an absolute wind-fall. From a Trevor Ariza who did not demand the ball, the sports writers now have someone who believe he is close to Kobe Bryant as an offensive scoring threat. Ron Artest will demand the ball. If Pau Gasol was curious as to why the ball was not going into the post more, now he has another team-mate who need the ball.

From a Trevor Ariza who was content to play off the bench, the Lakers have a Ron Artest who demands attention. It will be instant copy for the sports writers. There will not be any need to search out approaches to story lines. Ron Artest will have that covered.

The L.A. Lakers have swapped youthful potential for experience. Ron Artest, at the moment, is twenty nine. He has a birthday in November. Trevor Ariza is twenty four. If the Lakers do not win the next NBA championship, many loyal fans will look upon the non-signing of Trevor Ariza as the management decision that traded away the future.

Catherine Forsythe