<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>A lot of you are including Ariza in next years roster. I HIGHLY doubt you will see Ariza in a Lakers jersey after this season, id say theres a 90% chance he opts out especially with the fact that Phil will be coach and favors Walton over him. Im sure he would even settle making the same money elsewhere where he could get more minutes. Its a LONG shot that he will be a Laker next season.</div> http://www.clublakers.com/forums/whats-nex...,start,150.html Before you guys start saying stuff like, it's some dumb poster, etc...Gumby has been money all year. He broke the Ariza trade, he broke the Bynum injury news, and he broke a lot of other things that I can't think of right now. He has his shit straight. If this is true, I'm very disappointed about this, but I can see why. We've got two SF's who are locked into toxic contracts who have absolutely no market value.
It's speculation at this point and Ariza has to understand he didn't play much because of his injury. There's an enormous opportunity for him to secure the SF spot on this roster by outplaying Luke and Borat this summer. PJax said in the post game interview this team needs more defensive minded guys, and Ariza fits the description. The only concern for me is the fact Ariza hasn't played an 82 game season yet. If he opts for money I wouldn't blame him, but if he's leaving because he doesn't think PJax will give him a shot over Walton then I'd seriously question his confidence. Luke Walton was arguably our worst player on the post-season roster this season if you discount the series he had against Denver.
Phil Jackson really contradicted himself here. So he wants tougher players? He wants more defensive minded players? Then please explain why Trevor barely received any playing time in the Finals, and please explain why that pussy Luke Walton continues to see so many minutes on the floor even though he is a liability both offensively and defensively. Anyway, if Trevor does go I won't blame him. I'm not sure I would like playing under Phil Jackson either. His substitutions and his lineups just confuse me. One game, he decides to start Trevor out of nowhere, and the very next game, Trevor doesn't even get off the bench. Phil's horrible coaching was one of the reasons why we lost the Finals.
Now I kind of understand why Mamba wanted him to play 30 mpg. He is pretty athletic and brought a lot of energy, he seems to have length and got a couple of steals and played decent defense. He also grabbed some offensive boards and knocked down a 3
The Lakers traded 2 nice bench pieces for him, so I can't believe they dont have long term plans for the guy....Im sure he'd be welcome back in Orlando though if he gets loose....
I really hope that he stays because he has great Defense and that's what I think that the Lakers will need next year better Defense. Also I hope that he becomes the starter and have radman come off the bench. I hope that move will help radman play better.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Jumpman @ Jun 18 2008, 10:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I'm praying to god that Gumby finally gets a rumor wrong.</div> Looks like your prays were answered.
Gumby was wrong : ] Unless..he has some more information that he didn't disclose? Maybe Ariza will be involved in a trade for Ron Artest :]
It seemed more like his opinion than an actual fact. He did say it was a 90% chance. I'm sure Trevor probably did think about opting out, but instead chose to stay here for another season.
