What the heck is it with my favorite Lakers ending up in Texas? First Robert Horry (and I wonder if the Lakers watched in chagrin as he collected two more NBA rings with the Spurs?), now Trevor Ariza. Criminy. And for Ariza we get Ron Artest?! Really???

Photos lifted from news.about-knowledge.com
and the Online Gargoyle

I am not a fan of Ron Artest. To me, his sportsmanship is suspect, to say the least. He’s constantly fighting with members of the other team (one of the photos being used a lot now on this story is the one of him trying to get in Kobe’s face during the Lakers-Rockets series during the playoffs), fighting with the fans and…I guess I just don’t like the look of him. I’m no fan of Artest’s, but he better pony up that defense for my Lakers.

I really think Ariza should have stayed, but at the same time, I don’t think this was the Lakers fault. I’ll be like Trinity and Bill Plaschke and totally blame his greedy agent DAVID LEE. That’s right, I’m totally blaming him. Why in the world would you lock such a young, talented player into a team that’s lost its star to a potentially career-threatening injury into such a long contract after winning a championship? And could keep winning championships for a few years down the road?

I liked Ariza for so many reasons. He appears to be humble (well, maybe at not this point), wasn’t a spotlight hound and was ready to help where ever he could. He was spectacularly fun to watch, especially when you didn’t know whether he was going to follow the play or break for a steal. At the same time, I don’t think he could have become such a great player without ending up with the Lakers. Nobody knew who he was until he became a Laker.

Ariza is a fool for listening to his agent and being so focused on the money. Ariza, sweetheart, we’re in a recession, and the Lakers are cycling down several long contracts. You should’ve at least asked for a temporary deal for when the money gets better in a few years. Why in the world would you leave the Lakers – the LAKERS! – and Kobe Bryant for the Yao-less Houston Rockets? And don’t you know that staying with the Lakers gives you so many more opportunities to become a visible fan favorite alongside Kobe Bryant, endless opportunities for endorsements and visibility in Hollywood? You’ve just exiled yourself, sweetheart.