Ariza is a very good player. Plugging him in for Batum would help this team a lot right now. I'm not sure that, for Portland, it would make sense to spend a big chunk (more-than-MLE) of money to sign him, though, and there's no way that the Lakers trade him. Ed O.
Not a video that shows his all around skill...but sick Grant Hill's boogeyman in his dreams is Ariza <object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/1v6OIFNme6w&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/1v6OIFNme6w&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>
If we brought in Ariza, how would we ever get the stench of Laker out of the lockerroom? That smell tends to linger. barfo
Since he was from Portland before he went to the Lakers, he had immunity. He didn't pick up the stench. barfo
Technically not RIGHT NOW - he's got a concussion. Ariza is a very nice player - a top-level role player. He's a big part of the Lakers' improved D and he has a mean streak to him. He's actually kind of Kersey-esque, right down to the nasty streak and great hops. But he also has a three point shot. However, also like Kersey, he has limited skills otherwise. Doesn't appear to have great handles or passing ability. He's perfect for the Lakers (who, you will note, have two other SFs whose skills make up for his lacks and who get about equal time [of the three I like Walton best because we don't have a passer like that at SF]), but Batum has his skills and more and is younger. That's not to say that Batum is better, or even that he will be, because Ariza's toughness and all-out play are things Batum could stand to develop. But I think he will, and by the time he's Ariza's age, he'll be better. So why bow ourselves over to acquire Ariza when it might stunt the growth of a player we already have who looks likely to be better? PLUS: Ariza has had injury issues. Let's see him last a full season before we get carried away. I think we have greater needs at PG or even backup PF. We don't have a banger and our PGs all lack something important. SF is probably the least important, most easily-filled position and we have three young'uns there. If we DO get a SF, let it be a veteran who can help develop our young players and have a leadership role rather than get in their way and potentially drive them away.
He doesn't look to score often. Right now we know he has a streaky corner 3 pointer and is excellent in transition or cutting to the basket. He is very gifted athletically and he just turned 20 years old. He's still wet behind the ears, give him a couple years to get acclimated to the NBA game and the language barriers and he'll be a solid, solid player. I'm not saying superstar or anything, but solid player. Not everythings about right now.
