Thoughts about the Artest-Ariza swapout
July 3rd, 2009by John
So Ron Artest is gone and Trevor Ariza is coming to Houston. I’m okay with that.
Ariza reminds me of a more athletic Robert Horry, and we all know how he helped the Rockets win a couple of rings. Both have shown they can hit big shots in the clutch, something the Rockets have needed.
If it turns out Yao is going to be hurt for all of next season, then the Rockets can’t build around Artest. He’s not a cornerstone player, and he’s not getting any younger. And as much as I liked him as a player, I was very disappointed how he never learned how to stop being a ballhog and jack up terrible shots. He is what he is.
Although Artest is going to sign for the mid-level exception with the Lakers for around $5-$6 million per year for 3 years, he would have cost a lot more to the Rockets (maybe $9 million/year for 3 years, if not more).
The Rockets can’t tie up that kind of money for an offensive liability as they try to retool for the future. Not for a 40% shooter. I actually think Artest is going to disrupt the offensive chemistry on the Lakers, as this Yahoo article points out, but that’s their problem. Regardless, it will be interesting to see how it all plays out in LA-LA land.
Hopefully what we’ll see this coming season, if Yao is out, is that this is a “David Robinson year” for the Rockets. You may remember about 12 years ago the Spurs were a decent team, but then Robinson got hurt for almost the entire year, they ended up in the lottery, and got Tim Duncan. Robinson came back, and that’s when the championships ultimately ensued.
In the meantime, I don’t think the Rockets are going to tank too bad this season. They’ve got good players like Ariza, Brooks, Landry, Lowry, and Scola, and that’s not even taking into account their draft picks. They aren’t chopped liver, they are still going to be fun to watch under an Adelman offensive system that won’t be disrupted by Artest’s ball-stopping, and they could still sign a serviceable center. And don’t forget that Joey Dorsey could evolve into being a defensive presence they need down low. They are definitely going to be more athletic, and that’s always fun to watch.
Finally, if Yao can come back during the season, the Ariza acquisition may end up being a nice compliment to the Rockets, Horry-style.
July 3rd, 2009 at 9:55 am
I think Ariza is a more athletic Battier rather than Robert Horry, much younger, better offense. If he comes, Battier is going to be traded soon, which is a heartbeat to me ….
I think we don't need to be depressed, the only thing we need to do is to find a center, after that, we are still a good team who can win a lot of games.
p.s. T-MAC, we are counting on you this time!
July 3rd, 2009 at 11:12 pm
Genius! We took a step up with this move. Glad to see Artest gone. He's now LA's curse.
July 4th, 2009 at 12:29 am
Ariza is far beow the level of Artest.
The only advantage is his age, only 24, which is good for the future.
Poor Rockets are rebuilding all the time. Better build for the lottery this time.
July 4th, 2009 at 6:44 am
It's great to land Ariza, but I think the “next” most important thing is to find a replacement/back-up for Yao.
July 6th, 2009 at 7:05 am
And who would be our Tim Duncan?
BTW, the Rockets won't be lottery-bounded - that's the curse of an always over-achieving, fighting bunch like them, and that's why we love them anyway.
The couple of last seasons we were in the already in the similar situation (without our stars).
Anyway, I'm gonna visiting Houston in September and October, anyone could recommend a good Steakhouse? I'll definitely go to Yao's Restaurant which got some good ratings on Google.
Go Rockets, go Yao. I have a good feeling for the foot.
July 6th, 2009 at 8:31 am
Hopefully our Tim Duncan emerges in college this coming NCAA season.
You're right about our overachieving bunch. Hopefully we'll defy the
odds if we just slide into the lottery and somehow get the #1 pick, or
at least top 5.
As far as steakhouses in Houston go, Pappas Strakhouse is good and is
a Houston-based restaurant, unlike Fleming's or Ruth's Chris.
Truluck's is good, too.
July 7th, 2009 at 7:40 pm
I think that Ariza is a bad trade. 33 million for a guy who averaged 8 points and 4 rebounds last year when you are playing along a playmaker like Kobe Bryant.
I take Ron Artest over Ariza any day. Artest does have a tendency to throw up bad shot, but overall he is way better player than Ariza.
July 8th, 2009 at 2:40 am
I think that Ariza is a bad trade. 33 million for a guy who averaged 8 points and 4 rebounds last year when you are playing along a playmaker like Kobe Bryant.
I take Ron Artest over Ariza any day. Artest does have a tendency to throw up bad shot, but overall he is way better player than Ariza.