The talk on the radio this morning was that the Lakers need to get younger and more athletic. Presumably, less crazy, too.

Seems like Ariza would have added that younger, more athletic element to them.

Now they still have 3y/20mm left of Artest.

Ariza was coming off a solid playoffs in 2009 and his agent was asking for more money. The Lakers got Artest for a lower price (and the 2010 title thanks a lot in part to how well he played in Game 7 against the Celtics). The Lakers traded youth and a tad more athleticism for a bigger body, more experience and a whole lot of crazy.

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The Lakers got Artest for a lower price

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Both Ariza and Artest signed for the full MLE. Both are getting paid the exact same contract.

They won a title with both, so it is hard to debate the past. Looking forward, Ariza looks like the better option.

lakers don't win the title last year without artest. simple as that.

I remember there being much ado about getting a payday. If he came out of the gate just wanting the MLE, I highly doubt they wouldn't have signed him on the spot.

You also have to remember how well Artest played in that 7 game set for the Rockets against L.A. that year. Without him, that series would have been a whole lot different.

The other thing I'm sure the Lakers were eying is that Ariza could not guard LeBron well because of his lack of strength. The Cavs already had a finals appearance and were racking up great regular season records at that point in time. Artest would have been the much better defender in that situation than Ariza because of his bigger size.

I'd love to still have Ariza, but I can't blame the Lakers for making that move.

[This message has been edited by Look Out Below (edited 5/9/2011 3:36p).]

Ariza > Artest

Locker room chemistry makes a huge difference, and Ariza is a better teammate. Plus he doesn't miss a lot of dunks.

I think it was a huge mistake. Ariza and the Lakers were playing chicken and the Lakers blinked. Not saying Ariza is stellar, but he's a better fit for the Lakers.

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lakers don't win the title last year without artest. simple as that.

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I don't think it is that simple. It would be interesting to see how Ariza would have developed as an accessory player with the Lakers. I think he would have been every bit as good as Artest in last year's playoffs, if not better.

you can't substitute something that did happen for something that, i agree, might've happened, and it expect it to prove your point. if anything, it works in favor of what did happen.

artest was a huge part of winning last year. huge. huge shots in the finals. huge putback to win over phoenix. stellar defense. he brought a toughness that allowed the lakers to stand up to boston.

And Ariza played a huge role in the title of 2009.

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it works in favor of what did happen

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What DID happen was the Lakers were 1-1 winning championships with Artest and had one of the worst playoff meltdowns of any former champ this year.

Not saying it is Artest's fault, but guys like him are useless in the locker room in the face of defeat.

agree, but not as big a role. (the steals against denver, yes). and because of that....ariza was clearly aiming to become more of a force on the offensive end, and wanted to be a go to player.

artest clearly came in with the mindset of being a role player, and actually did a really good job of it. ariza probably wouldn't have been willing to fill that role. and he wasn't exactly amazing with Houston as a go to guy.

Ariza wouldn't have done a damn thing to change the outcome of the lakers this year. the problems started and ended with Pau freaking Gasol.

If you say so.

Didn't realize you were in the locker room.

IMO they traded offense for defense with the Ariza-Artest swap, and as a Rockets fan I enjoyed having Artest here a lot more than Ariza. Every team needs a thug (some have more than one).

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Not saying it is Artest's fault, but guys like him are useless in the locker room in the face of defeat.

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Guessing that you aren't aware that there was a lot of talk that Ariza was a locker room ahole in Houston last season.

Have to agree with Simple on the Gasol statement. All-star my ass. Guy was beyond terrible.