Free Ariza

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Trevor Ariza, the former Magic forward traded to the L.A. Lakers Nov. 20 for Brian Cook and Maurice Evans, said he isn't bitter and realizes he simply didn't fit into Orlando's plans any longer.

"It's not that I asked for it [a trade]," he said. "I wasn't playing. They were looking for different pieces . . . that's what kind of happened.

"That's business, I guess. . . .They had a different style. I guess I just didn't fit. I don't take it personally or nothing. I mean, what value do I bring to a team if I'm not playing?"</p>

Heading into the game against his former teammates in which he did not play Sunday, Ariza had played just 16 minutes and scored six points in three games. He said sitting out again is tough.

"It's pretty hard, but I'm catching on little by little," Ariza said. "I haven't really had time to practice. Once we have more time to practice and I understand stuff . . . I'll probably play a little more."</div></p>

Source: Orlando Sentinel</p>

The Magic have already used Mo Evans and Brian Cook plenty since the trade. You have to wonder why the Lakers aren't getting Ariza more in game experience since we decided to trade for him?</p>

The Lakers are already dealing with some injury and fatigue problems, have only 14 man roster, and recently sent Coby Karl to the NBDL.</p>

I saw Brian Shaw spending a lot of time pointing things out to Ariza last night on the bench. Hopefully he gets more burn in the next game. Lakers desperately need some defensive help.</p>

 

Phil Jackson, as great of a coach as he is, is also a fucking idiot. Ariza can be a presence on defense, why the hell isn't he getting PT? Why the hell is Sasha seeing minutes with Ariza on the bench? Why isn't Crittenton getting any burn? I'll never understand Phil when it comes to playing time and substitutions.</p>