Trevor Ariza exit interview
June 19, 2008 | 11:34
pm
Like Chris Mihm, Ariza lost a lot of time this season to injury, and like Mihm, he'll be exercising his player option to stick around another year. Ariza expresses a couple of times how much he loves playing in L.A. in front of friends and family. In other news:
- He'll be getting another MRI on his foot, just to make sure everything is truly fine. He's feeling no pain -- definitely important to note -- so this would qualify as precautionary more than anything. No need to worry.
- The process of picking up the offense.
- What he can bring to the team, in terms of his skill set.
- What he learned from the process of getting to, then losing in, the Finals.
BK
Click below for the video.
In case anyone forgot...
Champion: noun; a person who fights for or defends another person or cause.
Champion: verb; to defend, support, or advocate a cause.
Luke bashing wasn't so popular when he was lighting up the Nougettes. Practically a coach's son type of player. A good 'glue' guy that all winning programs need to have.
Lamar didn't have the greatest Finals ever, but he did just come off the best three months of his career. His versitility makes him an ideal 6th man (anyone remember Roy Tarpley? Or Detlaf Schrempf? Or Derrick McKey? Or Thurl Bailey? Or Cliff Robinson's first few years?)
Vlade is a first year starter, still well to the low side of thirty, and has two things going for him that can't really be taught - height and a legit 3-point stroke with a high, quick release. The rest of it can be taught. He didn't have a great series, but he still has tremendous upside. He's no stopper, but still a valuable piece of the puzzle, can play 2 positions.
Home court advantage is big, and to win it, a team needs versatility and depth.
If I was Mitch, I'm keeping this group together. All-Star teams don't do that well - just look at Denver: 2 overall #1 picks, a #3, a #6 - lottery picks everywhere, but very little glue.
We don't need any more 'stars.' We just need this group to continue maturing and gelling into a unit...
Posted by: karyanr | June 20, 2008 at 01:31 AM
We need to let the bidders come to us with Odom trade proposals. No need to rush at all. The closer we get to the trade deadline the more valuable that expiring 14 million dollar contract is going to be.
Plus, we'd be crazy not to give the Tri Tower experiment a go, even if it's just half a season.
How about nicknames for them next year. The Homie Trinity?
Catchy...
Wes
Posted by: | June 20, 2008 at 01:59 AM
ariza!!!! :D
i love this kid, and i think, if he can stay injury free, he could be up for MIP next year, as long as he gets enough playing time. .
. . i really hope he does
Posted by: joninjapan(incanada) | June 20, 2008 at 02:17 AM
The Trade Machine likes this deal:
This Trade Succeeded! Go back to adjust your trade or start over.
Los Angeles Lakers
Incoming Players
Charlie Villanueva
Salary: $2,715,000 Years Remaining: 2
PTS: 11.7 REB: 6.1 AST: 1.0 PER: 14.99
Michael Redd
Salary: $14,520,000 Years Remaining: 4
PTS: 22.7 REB: 4.3 AST: 3.4 PER: 18.90
Outgoing Players: Jordan Farmar, Luke Walton, Lamar Odom
Milwaukee Bucks
Incoming Players
Jordan Farmar
Salary: $1,009,560 Years Remaining: 2
PTS: 9.1 REB: 2.2 AST: 2.7 PER: 15.43
Luke Walton
Salary: $4,000,000 Years Remaining: 6
PTS: 7.2 REB: 3.9 AST: 2.9 PER: 12.37
Lamar Odom
Salary: $13,248,596 Years Remaining: 2
PTS: 14.2 REB: 10.6 AST: 3.5 PER: 16.94
Too much to give away?
Wes
Posted by: | June 20, 2008 at 02:26 AM
If we're going to make a serious Championship push next season we're going to have to cash in some of these young players for tough, battle tested, smart vets to put beside Kobe, Bynum and Pau.
Farmar may have to go. He's good and he probably will stay good for a lot of years, but he also has a lot of trade value right now and teamed up with another player or two could really land us some skilled, hard-nosed soldiers for the next round against the Celtics.
If we land Artest with the mid level then we can really think about dealing Odom. Deal Odom and Farmar to the Bucks for Redd and someone else and we have a back court of Kobe and Redd along side Artest, Gasol and Bynum. Fisher becomes our back up PG, spot shooter.
Just a thought.
Wes
Posted by: | June 20, 2008 at 02:50 AM
bk,
I saw what you wrote about Lamar.
If I've heard you write, you're saying that being
the secondary scorer on the team interfered
with Lamar's rebounding to the tune of ~ 5
rebounds per game. Is that correct?
To highlight my point, before Gasol arrived
Lamar had a career average of ~ 10 boards.
per game. During the playoffs he averaged
averaged 10 boards a game, via espn. During
the end of the regular season, post Gasol, he
was averaging ~ 15 boards per game. If playing
with Gasol freed Lamar, I would have expected
his boards to stay ~ 15. They didn't.
BTW, I am not saying that Lamar doesn't hustle sometimes
nor am I saying that he's a scrub. I'm saying that the
Lakers are going to need a psychological "edge" to
their game to compete for a championship in the NBA
based upon upcoming rule changes [ flopping ] and that
whipping the Celtics just served up.
I do believe that Lamar can guard some SF's in the league.
It would *SUCK* to have Lamar at SF, make it into the
playoffs, only to find out that he can't guard *ANY* of
the SF's on championship caliber teams. It would also
*SUCK* to lose a series that we could/should have
won and we didn't because Lamar wouldn't
*CONSISTENTLY* take advantage of his mis-match.
re: the 20 rebounds as a measure. It is my understanding
that rebounds are based upon 2 things. Hustle/desire and
position. He's a vet. He knows how to play the game.
He got out hustled. He got out played. For the #3 scorer
on the team, there should not have been anything keeping
him from hustling and getting rebounds. Yet, his playoff
rebounding was in keeping with his career average.
That would indicate that he was playing about the way
that he's played his entire career, right? Even though
he's playing on the best team he's ever played on. Even
though his level of responsibility has dropped from
the #2 scorer to the #3 scorer.
Posted by: hobbitmage | June 20, 2008 at 05:50 AM
While the bad taste of Game 6 (a game that will go down in infamy) still lingers, I want Mamba 24 to put me down as the leader and driver of the Don't Do Anything But Get Everyone Healthy Bandwagon!
Seriously, the fact that we got to Game 6 of the NBA playoffs this year WITHOUT Bynum or healthy, well-conditioned Ariza is absolutely unbelievable. Our guys sqeezed every bit of juice possible out of what we had to work with and we STILL almost won it all. In fact, if we hadn't blown Game 5, I would have put money on us to win.
It was also a GREAT testimony of Phil Jackson's coaching ability. Definitely his best ever, to maneuver this squad through all the injuries to the Finals. I don't want to hear any yapping from the basement ankle biters about Phil Jackson. He's getting Ring 10 next season. With THIS squad all healthy.
Posted by: CornerJ | June 20, 2008 at 06:18 AM
Wes: Trade is too risky. You'd be better off doing Sasha in a sign & trade. Jordan Farmar is our heir apparent PG. I expect breakout numbers from him next season. Besides, if he goes, who's gonna back up D-Fish? Coby Karl?
LO's exit interview today will let me know, once and for all, if it's worth holding on for one more year. I'm sorry - with all his stats and double doubles and what not (and Mama Banner Holder cosigned on this), the dude buckles under pressure. We cannot afford 82 games of anguish wondering which LO will suit up that night!
Posted by: utzworld THE BANNER HOLDER | June 20, 2008 at 08:16 AM
Wes,
Micahel Redd is redundant with Kobe and your trade leaves
the Lakers with only one true PG.
Why don't you trade Pau for Joe Johnson while you're at it.
I like Villanueva (and Redd for all that matters), but it's an
imbalanced trade for both teams.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | June 20, 2008 at 08:31 AM
Wes,
>>>If we're going to make a serious Championship push next
>>>season we're going to have to cash in some of these
>>>young players for tough, battle tested, smart vets to put
>>>beside Kobe, Bynum and Pau.
Serious champsionship push? Are you joking?
12 points. With 12 more points between games 2 & 4, the
Lakers would have beat the Celtics in 5 games. Maybe less,
because with even 8 points, they wouldn't have been fouling
at the ends of games to try to catch up.
8 points from a championship. How is that not serious?
You're reading too much into game 6 and not seeing the
whole series for what it was. The Lakers were very close
to a championship playing without their strongest post defender.
If you want to add a couple of grizzled veterans, fine. Let
MBenga and Newble go and offer some or all of the MLE to
someone to ADD to the core set of Lakers. But don't go
trading off Farmar or Lamar or Luke because those players
all contributed to GETTING THE TEAM TO THE FINALS AND
WINNING TWO GAMES!
In 1999, the Lakers lost in the playoffs but they didn't go
trading off the young talent (i.e. Kobe &/or Fish) to add
grizzled veterans... they KEPT the core players and added
to them. It should be the same thing here.
If they can lure Posey away from Chicago or get Artest to
opt out and sign for the MLE or something like that, that's
great... but when you go rebuilding the team that got you
within reach of the championship you don't do wholesale
changes.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | June 20, 2008 at 08:49 AM
Hobbitmage-
As I mentioned before, the difference in rebounding pre and post Gasol was a under two a night. Not sure where you're getting the idea he averaged 15 boards a game with Gasol. Where LO really improved was in scoring and field goal percentage. The one thing that has remained pretty consistent over his time in LA has been rebounding. That's never been a problem.
I also don't think your analogy to 20 boards a night works. So many other things- the opponent, the matchup, the number of missed shots, where they're taken, etc go into a guy's rebounding total beyond simply hustle and position. To expect a guy to crank up his production throughout the playoffs by 50, 60, or even 100% in your case (10.6 boards a night to 20 on some, or 15 every day) is akin to picking on Kobe for not scoring 45 a night when he averages 30 a game during the regular season.
As for the defense, yeah, I'm sure there are matchups that won't play to Odom's strengths. A) there's no rule that says he has to be the only SF on the team, and B) you'll find that out long before the playoffs start. It's not like they'd get to the playoffs after 82 games then suddenly realize LO can't guard threes. Also, keep in mind the matchups in which having LO gives the Lakers a big advantage (Dirk, for example, who Odom marks as well as anyone in the league).
Again, all of this isn't designed to say that Odom is a perfect player, because obviously he isn't, nor that problems couldn't arise with LO down the road. It might not work, there's no question. My point is that, especially with Odom, people (I think including you, but certainly not exclusive to you) focus on his shortcomings, often move the bar (expecting him to ramp up his rebounding to 15 or 16 a night in the playoffs), and equate a difference in results with a difference in effort (Lamar plays as hard as anyone on the team, if not harder, and internalizes failure as much if not more than anyone on the team- doesn't mean he always plays well, but he's not a guy who cruises through his court time). Meanwhile, little focus is given to what he does well, and how both his skill set and attitude mesh with what is becoming an increasingly star-heavy team. The more A quality talents you put on a team, the harder it becomes to manage and keep everyone happy. There are only so many shots, and on this team, there's only one alpha dog, and for the time being, I don't see 24 relinquishing that role. Odom is a very talented player who is quite content to go about his business without looking to score all the time. He won't complain if he doesn't "get his," as many other talented players do. This is bad if you actually want Odom to shoot, but on next year's team he would likely be a 3/4 scorer.
Meanwhile, I think people tend not to look at the negatives of other players they might bring in to theoretically replace him. Ron Artest (who may not require a trade to bring to LA, but for the sake of argument...) for example, is a) Crazy and always ends up causing trouble wherever he goes, b) can get shot happy (he averaged 17 a game last season, and chafed when Reggie Theus tried to make Kevin Martin the focus), and c) is historically (and this is tough to track because of all the things that have kept him off the floor) a lower percentage shooter taking more perimeter shots.
I'm coming around to the idea of making a run at him because of what he can bring on the other side of the ball, but with Artest or any other player, people have to remember that for all the positive things they might bring, they bring negatives, too. It's important to consider the entire package.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | June 20, 2008 at 08:52 AM
Good for Kobe. Keep it positive, keep it together, keep everyone hungry -- and make them hungrier.
The Ks aren't wimping out when they refrain from bashing players or urging reckless trades no matter what most know-nothings insist about Laker personnel..
Because many of those know-nothings are the SAME know-nothings who were SURE Bryant was right about (trading) Drew, SURE Bryant was right to sulk, SURE Bryant was right to demand a trade BEFORE the Lakers commenced a season playing .640 ball PRE-Gasol.
That's why drastic trades following a failed Final though otherwise successful season are about as wise as marrying the first bar guy/girl you meet following a split.
Consider Ron Artest aka Con Artest.
Fact: the season (2005-06) BEFORE Artest arrived, SAC finished 44-38 (.540)
On April 26, 2006, days after SAC acquired Artest, one Sacbee "expert" Mark Kreidler declared:
"Let's answer the first question first: Ron Artest makes exactly this much difference. He absolutely does. He's the difference between a loser and a winner. It's not even an issue to discuss."
One year later WITH Artest? SAC finishes 33-49 (.400).
Two years later, still WITH Artest? 38-44 (.460).
Con Ar-test -- contra Kreidler -- is *not* "the difference."
Con Ar-test -- pace reality -- IS a bad decisionmaking, bad shot-taking, selfish, self-obsessed "teammate" whose ONLY sub-100 (DRtg) season came when he had guys like a healthy JOneal and Jeff Foster to defend the post -- which suggest Artest's defensive magic really IS smoke and mirrors reflecting the substance of defensive bigs.
Finals culprits? Start, end with Phil & staff, who gameplanned the Cs like it was still 2001-02.
Or read Randy Hill's mostly lucid autopsy at [ msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/8258306/Jackson-didn't-make-right-moves-vs.-Celtics].
Hill tries to have it both ways -- (wrongly) asserting Pierce "outplayed" Kobe while insisting Rivers/Thibodeaux outcoached PJax -- but does make a hanful of valid points -- especially LALs effective though UNDERUTILIZED use of high screen rolls and sticking Gasol on Garnett defensively without making a point of attacking Garnett, the soul of BOS' defense, on the other.
Posted by: latopia | June 20, 2008 at 09:02 AM
*______________________________*
Don't Do Anything But Get Everyone
Healthy BANDWAGON
*_____________________________*
(01) CORNER J. - Driver
(02) MAMBA24 - Riding Shotgun!
Posted by: Mamba24 | June 20, 2008 at 09:13 AM
Wes,
No way we trade Farmar. He's only 21. Next year he'll be the same age Rondo was this year. Farmar will add weight and shooting skills over the summer. He's come a long way, and will continue to grow as a Laker.
Posted by: Rick Friedman | June 20, 2008 at 09:14 AM
*______________________________*
Don't Do Anything (Trade) But Get
Everyone Healthy BANDWAGON
*_____________________________*
(01) CORNER J. - Driver
(02) MAMBA24 - Riding Shotgun!
(03) KARYANR - We don't need any more 'stars.' We just need
this group to continue maturing and gelling into a unit...
Posted by: Mamba24 | June 20, 2008 at 09:32 AM
BK,
I think the Lakers only bring in Ron Artest if he will accept the role of defensive stopper and rebounder, with occasional scorer in a rotational role.
A lot is being made of Ron's mercurial nature, but Rodman was way way way way way worse than him. Way worse. Think about all of the crap that Rodman pulled during the years he played with the Bulls:
Kicking the camera guy in the cajones
Sitting on the baseline with his shoes off every time he left the court
Various technical fouls and ejections
Dressing up like a lady for book signings
Coloring his hair bright frieking green, then yellow, then red (WTF?)
Getting in fights with Charles Oakley, Anthony Mason, ZO, name another NBA PF in the late '90s
Phil Jackson has plenty of experience with a guy like that. If you get Ron to accept a role on this team and give Ron the chance to win a title with probably the best young team in the NBA over the next 5 seasons, I think he'll be okay.
Don't forget the Bison Dele mess too. PJ works wonders with strange personalities. They got it done on the court.
Posted by: "Pig" Miller | June 20, 2008 at 09:37 AM
Pig-
No question, Rodman was an odd duck, and in many ways a more disruptive force than Artest. I agree, it could work, and between PJ's ability to work with guys like that and Artest's friendship with Kobe/LO, there are checks there. I'd find it extremely tempting, and especially since he might end up in San Antonio if he opts out and says he's willing to take someone's MLE, it would be hard to let him go.
He's not necessarily a bad guy, just a weird one, prone to doing strange things. My big point to hobbitmage is that when you look at FAs, trade propositions, etc., you have to take in the whole picture. Artest's personality is perhaps less a problem than whether or not he'd be content taking 10 shots a night. He might be, he might not. I think it could work. Also, is he a consistent enough shooter from deep? Does he stretch the floor? His history says he's not that high percentage a shooter.
Again, not trying to make a case against him, and what he brings defensively to me at least outweighs that concern. But whether it's getting rid of players off the current roster or bringing them in, the entire balance needs to be seen. Good and bad.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | June 20, 2008 at 09:49 AM
It was also a GREAT testimony of Phil Jackson's coaching ability. Definitely his best ever, to maneuver this squad through all the injuries to the Finals. I don't want to hear any yapping from the basement ankle biters about Phil Jackson. He's getting Ring 10 next season. With THIS squad all healthy.
Posted by: CornerJ | June 20, 2008 at 06:18 AM
I don't care what you want to hear but you will hear it and I am no basement ankle biter.
The truth be told and PJ did not and can not coach. He is agreat coach whose time has come and gone. Yes he is a dinosaur. Time to use him to make oil.
He has had the last 3-4 years with the best player on the planet and has failed to win his 10th championship. I see him if still here coaching as sticking to his usual do nothing and put coaching and running team squarely on Kobe's shoulders. If the players do win a championship it will be in spite of him not because of him.
Drink some coffee and wake up as you are dreaming if you think PJ is the answer. Ouch and quit biting my ankles.
Posted by: JustaLakerFan | June 20, 2008 at 11:59 AM
*______________________________*
Don't Do Anything (Trade) But Get
Everyone Healthy BANDWAGON
*_____________________________*
(01) CORNER J. - Driver
(02) MAMBA24 - Riding Shotgun!
(03) KARYANR - We don't need any more 'stars.' We just need
this group to continue maturing and gelling into a unit...
(04) JON K. - Just say "NO!" to crazy trade scenarios.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | June 20, 2008 at 12:27 PM
Wes -
That proposal is WAY out of line. Just throwing in my two cents.
Posted by: Caliphilosopher | June 20, 2008 at 02:23 PM
Wes,
Great idea but do you really think the Bucks are going to give up their Star play and Villanueva?
For a journey man sub with a long contract. A pt. guard that will become very solid but not a star. And an expiring $14 million contract. You would have to throw in a couple 1st round picks and maybe the kid from China. But remember they gave up those 1st rounders in the Pau trade.
Oh by the way maybe we can go to the Heat and get Wade and their 1st round pick for Lamar, Jordan, Walton and lets throw in Radman.
What are you smoking Wes? It must be good, can I have some?
Posted by: aw | June 21, 2008 at 08:38 AM