Ron Artest in purple and gold
July 8, 2009 | 6:27
pm
Not a bad look.
Plenty of copy and video to come, but here's one line that essentially sums up Artest's attitude in joining the Lakers: "I gotta have (a ring). I need one. Bad... I really don't even care if I score, I just want to win. I don't have a problem with deferring if it's working. I don't have a problem with not scoring and winning." Obviously these are easy things to say than do, but for people carrying varying degrees of concern about Artest's ability to cede some of his traditional roles on the offensive end to fit in with LA's system and vast scoring arsenal, the words are encouraging.
BK
(Photo: AFP)
Not a bad look indeed and some encouraging words (his planned deferment) to go with it.
Posted by: joneric | July 08, 2009 at 06:47 PM
Cuz this is Thriller....
Posted by: Tim-4-Show | July 08, 2009 at 06:49 PM
Caption?
William: Where's TMZ?
Posted by: ChicNstu | July 08, 2009 at 06:55 PM
RON “LOOKS” LIKE A LAKER…
Ever the optimist, I think, in his own way, Ron is going to have as big an impact on the Lakers as Pau did when we added him. We now have a pair of All-Star forwards that can hold their own against any team, including the Boston Celtics and KG and Pierce. The thing that stands out to me in addition to being younger is that both of the Lakers forwards can play multiple positions at both ends of the court. That versatility gives Phil a powerful array of weapons to deploy on offense and defense.
But gone are the days when all you needed to compete for an NBA crown was one or two superstars. We are now entering the era of the superteams, where a half dozen teams stock up with three or four superstars and totally dominate the rest of the NBA. While the Lakers, Cavs, Celtics, Spurs, and Magic will probably sell out, what will happen to Memphis, Charlotte, New Orleans, and all those cities whose teams are going to become fodder for the league’s superteams? I hope the NBA has been vigilant in making sure that new owners had the wherewithal to weather the storm.
And the rough economy is hitting hard at the group of players who made between $6M and $10M. Those guys are now lucky to get the MLE. There was an article I remember recently that was predicting a possible $50M salary cap for 2010/11 due to the expected drop in league revenues worldwide. I can’t imagine the havoc a decline in revenues like that might create or how the negotiations for the next CBA, which I believe will expire in 2011/12, would be impacted. A whole new ball game financially is not impossible.
One thing for sure, you’re going to see a lot of max contracts signed next summer as teams try to beat the next CBA to the punch, fully expecting the players to have to give up a lot in consideration of the economy. The NBA has been the most innovative of all the professional sports leagues in my opinion, with the rookie scale, the rule advantages to enable teams to keep their own free agents, and soft cap and luxury taxes. Hopefully, they will continue the tradition and come up with now innovations to better the game.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | July 08, 2009 at 06:55 PM
How sweet is that! I absolutely can't wait for the season to start. I admit I wasn't a big fan of Artest- liked him until the Indiana mess then completely lost interest.
So far: what' not to like?
Seems he has really matured- great comments, sense of humour, wants to be a Laker and WIN!
Seems to get it that money isn't everything- especially when you are making that kind of money.
Also can't wait to see how he pushes (in a good way, of course) some of the guys on the team. I don't think we'll be having too many blog discussions this year concerning the team's lack of effort against weaker teams. Artest brings a fierceness ...let's get started...oh and LO- just sign the contract, would you.
Posted by: ghlaker | July 08, 2009 at 07:01 PM
we're gonna love this guy. I give justamambafan about two more interviews. BTW, what's with the champagne toasts and shower meetings? Not that there's anything wrong with that, but this isn't 'When Harry met Sally.'
Posted by: phred | July 08, 2009 at 07:05 PM
"This makes us a solid team in the event that Kobe gets hurt. Where would we get any kind of consistent scoring if Kobe tore up his knee, broke a bone or if the scoreboard fell on him and he strained an elbow lifting it off his body...by himself.
Posted by: Jamie Sweet | July 08, 2009 at 05:47 PM
Don’t make Kobe angry…You don’t want to see Kobe when he’s angry.
Posted by: phred | July 08, 2009 at 07:05 PM
I like Ron Artest. He's "Our Guy" and we have entrusted him with our future. Kobe (in who I trust) has also placed his trust in Ron Ron.
I am feeling that defensively, The Lakers will have their best defensive team EVER. I have been watching our guys religiously for 29 years and I have NEVER seen this kind of fortitude. Cooper was a great defender as was Ariza. Fox was a great enforcer and Shaq was not a guy to mess with. But THIS, This is something we have never seen.
Think on it. Artest, Kobe, Bynum in the middle down low and guarding the hoop.... is that sick? WOW! When a guy was eating us up, we always had to put Kobe on him. NO MORE! Ron Ron gives us Kobe AND a full partner who has a "No quarter given" mentality.
I believe in Shannon Brown and I think he will buy into the "Defense first" attitude that is possible. Shannon has the energy and the talent to do it and I believe he will!
Who does that leave? Oh yeah, Gasol. Huh, let's ask Dwight Howard for a reference on Gasol's defensive capabilities. LOL...OMGAWD, it's an embarrasement of riches.
All these guys are YOUNG and have the energy to commit to a Team Defense philosophy. Phil Jackson LOVES good defense. I do not think Phil will need to be sold on his current roster. (See current Phil response to "Are you coming back full time? YES!!!!).
Wouldn't it be great if Lamar wants to join the party? Gawd, I love that guy. I know I know, he's inconsistant but GAWD, he sure is a nice guy to have around when you need him. How about Sasha? Anybody think he will go a second year stinking up the place? I dunno, if he adds anything...."Katie bar the door!".
Walton, he's one of the good guys. He gives us minutes and stability when we are hurt and tired. I dunno about the finals (though he did fine this year) but he can help us through a LONG year of mundane games and nagging injuries.
I LOVE our Team. Lamar, come back man. I love you and LA loves you. Star in a 3 muskateers add along with Atrtest and his Snickers adds (if you feel like a nut....). You can make some extra money and be a Laker for LIFE! Ask Rick Fox and Michael Cooper how that feels eh?
Gawd I'm stoked about 2009/2010. The only thing that could make this perfect is if we can finally protect Fisher's minutes until the playoffs. If Shannon Brown and Jordan Farmar can live up to ANY of their potential, then forget it. A fresh Derrick Fischer in the finals and a happening Shannon and/or Farmar....lol it gets stupid. It's almost too good to imagine.
So...Lamar... I love you man..... I appreciate what you have done for us......I want you to come back and in some respects, it wouldn't be the same without you. Please keep in mind, we don't NEED you like we have in the past. However, we WANT you like never before. Come with us man. You're our guy and .....you belong here.
Posted by: JohnnyV | July 08, 2009 at 07:10 PM
Crazy? nope
Pragmatic? totally
We can trust in him to be a key piece from now on.
Welcome again, Ron!!
GO LAKERS!!!
Posted by: MrNano | July 08, 2009 at 07:13 PM
He looks good...
Off topic....So Marion gets 40mill for 5 years...So do we now know what Odom is worth?......
Posted by: Thirty2 | July 08, 2009 at 07:16 PM
Finally!
Couldn't remember when I saw anyone as giddy as Ron Artest then it hit me. My daughter was just like that when she unexpectedly ran into David Cook at a store. Took her a week to remove her smile and stop telling everyone she said "Hello, David" and he smiled and said hello too.
Posted by: p ang | July 08, 2009 at 07:18 PM
Ron Artest will be a great addition to the Lakers and will help our team win that next championship. Love him or Hate him, Ron Artest is a competitor (at par with Kobe). Hardworking and hungry for a ring. He will be a great team mate in and out of the locker room. I see him contributing to the team goals rather than being a detriment.
Laker Fans should rejoice that we finally have a thug to love!
Posted by: LakerThug | July 08, 2009 at 07:18 PM
SIGN LAMAR ODOM.
Is Dr. Buss really going to go into the season 21 million dollars over the luxury tax? The Lakers payroll, if they resign Odom, will be around 90 million. Buss will be paying about 111 million dollars for our roster due to the dollar for dollar luxury tax penalty.
I do not think the Lakers would resign Brown for 2 million a year, 4 million a year if you include the tax penalty, if they do not intend to explore packaging Farmar's expiring contract with either Vujacic, Walton, or Morrison, who has an expiring contract. It is just irrational to sign your fifth guard, third guard off the bench for 4 million.
Posted by: Tom | July 08, 2009 at 07:31 PM
Chicago Bulls guard Hinrich would be a good fit on this team. He is not a true point guard but he can shoot and plays exceptional defense. He held his own when defending Pierce in the playoffs. His contract, 9 mil per season with 3 more years left, will be hard to deal with though.
Posted by: Tom | July 08, 2009 at 07:33 PM
I'm a bit disappointed in Artest's recent interviews. Why isn't he referring to himself in the third person anymore? Every time he does, it's pure comic gold. I guess I will have to be patient.
Posted by: LAKER TRUTH | July 08, 2009 at 07:36 PM
I still think this is a mistake long term. Artest has definitely lost a step already and he is only 29! We give him a five year contract so how many more steps is he going to lose before his contract is upat 34 years old? I do think he will be on his best behavior this year but it is year 2-5 that concern me. He says "I dont mind deferring IF it is working." He should be saying "this is Kobe and Pau's team, I WILL defer to them no matter what. I hope I am wrong and it will be interesting to watch.
Posted by: Bopper | July 08, 2009 at 07:36 PM
I see a lot of Lakers walking away from the team in the future.
With the cap going down next year, saving money is going to be the topic of a lot of Laker meetings. Because the Lakers having a lot of expiring contracts and a lot of talent on the team, I see zero trades and a lot of letting guys leave. At the end of this year we can save about 8 million dollars just by letting 3 guys walk.
Farmar = 1.9 mil
Morrison 5.2
Sun .7
That's almost 8 million bucks. If Shannon has a breakout year, it'll probably mean Jordan walks without the Lakers getting any reimbursement. I'm OK with this so long as Shannon is as good as I think he is.
Next year we let:
Sasha 5 mil walk and save his money.
That's 13 million that you can bet will come off the books this and next year.
We can repeat as champs, if Lamar doesn't get greedy.
Wes
Posted by: wesjoenixon | July 08, 2009 at 07:44 PM
Dennis Rodman is probably rolling over in his grave right about now.
Posted by: JohnnyB | July 08, 2009 at 07:44 PM
"All this talk about "if Bynum is playing at his best for the entire year, we don't need Odom" has got to stop. Stop it, now.
Posted by: Otis | July 08, 2009 at 05:51 PM"
Agreed dude. For all the good Bynum does he is no LO. In fact LO stepped up in the playoffs while Bynum was sitting on the pine more.
LO is most important especially if Bynum DOESN'T play to his best. Sure Artest at even PF is okay at defense but doesn't give the rebounding, playmaking that LO gives at PF.
Posted by: KB Blitz | July 08, 2009 at 08:05 PM
They should freeze all transactions until august 31st because this team has me more anxious than anything. Believe that!
Posted by: freddyP | July 08, 2009 at 09:17 PM
Dennis Rodman is probably rolling over in his grave right about now.
Posted by: JohnnyB
You have to be DEAD to be rolling over in your grave, Rodman is still alive Johnny
and RELAX Laker Nation, Now that Marion just signed for 8 million a year, there is NO WAY Lamar's agent can demand more than 8 million, and that's what the Laker's are offering, he will sign in the next two weeks.
BANK ON IT !!!
Posted by: tomK | July 08, 2009 at 09:17 PM
Lets go Lamar resign baby. Ron Artest welcome to LaLaland from the #1 Laker fan in the home of basketball aka The413 aka Springfield owww lol.
Posted by: Blackmamba0824 | July 09, 2009 at 10:55 AM