Comments on: NBA Playoffs, Lakers v. Suns Game 2: Ron Artest still fighting the ghost of Trevor Ariza

By: geo59

geo59 — Fri, 21 May 2010 13:21:24 +0000

I don’t mean to be disrespectful (well…, maybe I do) but this is one of the dumbest articles I’ve read in a long time. No one who knows anything about the NBA would compare Ron Artest to Trevor Ariza. Artest is a proven commodity, well respected across the league, and a defensive player of the year award winner. His career ppg average is 16 and he averaged almost 25 ppg one year. He is a solid all-star level player offensively and a hall of fame level player defensively. Writing an article that even attempts to compare Trevor Ariza (a good young player) to Ron Artest is like comparing Kobe Bryant to Nate Robinson. Writing this article indicates that the author knows next to nothing about professional basketball. Just because Artest took Ariza’s spot doesn’t mean they can be compared. Who wrote this article, one of the LA cheerleaders? Ridiculous!

By: Omnius

Omnius — Fri, 21 May 2010 12:22:00 +0000

Trevor Ariza was a good fit for the Lakers last year beating the Magic, this year Ron Artest is a much better fit for playing the Celtics. Trevor Ariza made some amazing defensive plays in last year’s playoffs but he just didn’t have the defensive muscle that is going to be needed to beat the Celtics, he proved that in 2008. Ron Artest just has to ignore the lame media hypes who are trying to get under his skin with their lame comparisons to Trevor Ariza. Lakers will win another championship next month and gain revenge on Gang Green!

By: blaze

blaze — Thu, 20 May 2010 21:07:21 +0000

Artest is overated and he has not shown his worth in these playoffs. His best defensive days are behind him and he will be a liability when they play the Celtics. The problem is the lakers are playing creampuffs and they have been for the last 2 rounds. The Jazz were never a match for the Lakers dating back almost 5 years ago and the Suns dont have the intensity and the committment to defense. Guess who has both?? The Celtics…if Artest wants repsect match their physicality without getting flusterred and making foolish errors. My bet is he will though…

By: dn7

dn7 — Thu, 20 May 2010 21:05:58 +0000

there are three types of nba players I don’t like.

By: Blaze

Blaze — Thu, 20 May 2010 21:05:28 +0000

By: Mark

Mark — Thu, 20 May 2010 19:53:19 +0000

First of all, I am a Laker fan and am a fan of Ariza. However, I get a little tired of people saying that Artest is an “Erratic” shooter and Ariza isn’t. That simply is not true..Check their stats.
Ariza had an unbelievable run in the playoffs hitting 3 pointers, but that was what it was, a run. If you look at their season averages, Artest is the better 3 point shooter.
Two years ago, Sasha was on a run shooting 3 pointers…funny how I don’t hear people saying that he is the best 3 point shooter around.
Artest over Ariza. Period. (For now!)

By: Drew

Drew — Thu, 20 May 2010 19:27:12 +0000

Actually, I think it’s debatable whether Artest is an upgrade over Ariza. Yeah, he’s a tougher on-the-ball defender and brings some much needed toughness to a finesse team, but his shooting is more erratic and Ariza was much more effective moving without the ball and cutting through the lane for baskets. He fit well into the system and also hit big timely shots.
When it’s all said and done, if the Lakers win a ring this year, obviously Artest will have worked out for them, so who cares? The proof is in the pudding.

By: nivek

nivek — Thu, 20 May 2010 19:06:01 +0000

Artest is a defensive machine thats what he does.
when he scores it’s a bonus. Lakers sealed this years championship by picking him up. Ariza good but not a Artest.

By: paul.aka.paul

paul.aka.paul — Thu, 20 May 2010 18:57:14 +0000

Who exactly has been talking about Ariza all year? I live in the LA television market. I follow the team. This article’s writer, Rob Mahoney, appears to just be reaching for some unique angle to write about. Oooh, lets compare Bynam to Shaq. Someone must have said something to compare them since the season began in late October.

By: Da Real

Da Real — Thu, 20 May 2010 18:00:54 +0000

The Lakers made the right move for one reason – the Boston Celtics. He is going to shut down Paul Pierce.
Aside from that, it was a bad move.

By: johnny

johnny — Thu, 20 May 2010 17:04:33 +0000

rob, stop smoking crack. you really gonna compare ron artest to trevor ariza?

By: DCLAKERFAN

DCLAKERFAN — Thu, 20 May 2010 16:56:55 +0000

please excuse me for asking you this, but WHERE IN THE H$LL DO YOU GET THESE STUPID!!!! EXCUSES TO WRITE AN ARTILCE. ARIZA IS A GOOD(BUT YOUNG)PLAYER THAT OVER TIME WILL DEVELOPE INTO A RON ARTEST TYPE PLAYER BUT HE IS NO WHERE NEAR IT YET. CHECK GOOD HOUSEKEEPING THEY MAY NEED SOME STORIES ABOUT TABLECLOTHES YOU CAN WRITE ABOUT BECAUSE YOU AREN’T DOING A GOOD JOB ON SPORTS!!!!

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 20 May 2010 16:49:01 +0000

Ariza is not even on the same level as Artest. Artest is the one that earned defensive player of the year!!

By: Vince

Vince — Thu, 20 May 2010 16:43:01 +0000

If Ariza was here instead of Artest, the Lakers would not make this far. Artest is super on defense and can score a lot of points when needed

By: Lion Woods

Lion Woods — Thu, 20 May 2010 15:42:51 +0000

Trevor Ariza made a name for himself last season without a doubt. The moment I heard that Ron Artest was going to sign on as a Laker I knew we would not take a drop in productivity or defensive strategy at the small forward position. Ron Artest is a perfect fit into Phil’s system and compliments Gasol, Kobe & Company like a glove. Ariza who? Lakers over the Celtics in 7.

By: Lakertime Fan

Lakertime Fan — Thu, 20 May 2010 15:42:41 +0000

Oh that’s right. Ariza. Shame on me for forgetting. Watching Artest help the Lakers get this far in the playoffs made me forget.

By: dan

dan — Thu, 20 May 2010 15:41:57 +0000

Ron Artest is an upgrade. Ron Artest is an upgrade. Ron Artest is an upgrade. Ron Artest is an upgrade.
Not sure how many times it has to be said, but there, I threw in four more. Eventually, people will get it.

By: [a] proxy

[a] proxy — Thu, 20 May 2010 14:53:36 +0000

When Lakers acquired Artest at the beginning of the season, I was very skeptical that he would fit into Phil’s triangle. During the course of the season, Artest changed my mind about him. I give Artest all the credit in the world for learning or continuing to learn the triangle and playing great defense. He has truly helped the Lakers to be where they are right now. And now, that he’s coming alive behind the 3-point line, ooh wee, Lakers have another weapon to use. LET’S GO LAKERS!!!

By: Jeffrey

Jeffrey — Thu, 20 May 2010 14:49:54 +0000

great read – also check porkchopfactory.com

By: DB

DB — Thu, 20 May 2010 14:39:35 +0000

Artest was there for one reason, guard Lebron in the finals. Just turns out they didn’t need to worry about that yet.

By: soma

soma — Thu, 20 May 2010 14:37:02 +0000

Lakers would not have survived the Thunders series without Artest guarding Durant. Ariza would have no chance againts Durant. Ariza is not a great one on one defender like Artest. Though he is quicker and fill up the passing lane better. In the final against Celtic, Ariza will not be able to handle Pierce but Artest will shut him down. Laker will have better match up againts Celtic because of Artest’s presence. He adds physical strength to this tall lineups especially Bynum can only give 15-20 quality mins. It’s too bad he cannot jump (due to overweight).

By: DYi

DYi — Thu, 20 May 2010 14:17:29 +0000

Artest will get his “Ariza redemption” against the Celtics when he accomplishes his final task: stop Paul Pierce. Once that is done, I hope that quashes this subject.