Ariza. This team needs some scoring and passing and Hedu is a better fit. I like Ariza, but not for anything over the MLE.
Knowing what I can guess about Roy it wouldn't bother him if the organization didn't (doesn't seem like that type at all) but from an org perspective it sends a LOUD and clear message to the player about their importance to the franchise IMO.
And to potential free agents that when you sign with Portland, Roy and LMA will be here for the entire time you are under contract.
Wheels bugs me some time, he's done this teaser stuff before where he says there's some "big announcement" and then he comes back with something really lame. I'd put good money on this "offer" being nothing more than extensions given to Brandon and LaMarcus.
ESPN.com says Ariza is unrestricted. ESPN Free Agent List So does StoryTellers Salary Page StoryTeller As does Draft Express: Draft Express Lakers Salary Page
What's the purpose of extending in advance. What if Roy goes down with a career ending injury next year, then we have another Darius Miles situation on our hands.
What if? The All-Star/franchise players get extended ASAP when the CBA allows. Are you saying you wouldn't sign any player until the end of their current contract?
Even if the Blazers do take some action tonight (beyond offering Roy an extension), what is the timeline for the fans actually being *told* about it? I have a bad feeling this is just a tease....and we will be in the dark for another couple of weeks.
Even if you waited, said player could go down with a career ending injury in game 1 of that new contract. But hey, we always have the medical retirement to fall back on...
Minus the part where Roy is a low character, lazy, pot smoking, Baskin-Robbins stuffing, douche bag. As for your question that he could have a career ending injury isn't that true with any free agent KP might sign or any other player he might extend; what's the sense in worrying about future potential injuries? Besides if you want him and want to keep him happy you might as well take care of him right away or it would be pretty easy for Brandon to get mixed messages about the franchises commitement to him sort of like what's happening with Ben Gordon in Chicago where there's the very real possibility he bolts for nothing.
I dunno if I believe Ariza 3pt shooting is terribly good, I think he might have just got very lucky these playoffs. Still getting him would both help our team and weaken our biggest obstacle. If we make him an offer yet he still signs with LA at least we would have raised his price, that could force them to forgo adding a future player. Not a bad plan.
You bring up a good point. As most know, I'm huge on Ariza, but you could go either way on his 3pt shooting. He never shot 3's until coming to the Lakers. His percentages appeared to climb up, and reach a very high level in the playoffs. The question is, was that from improvement, or just a lucky streak?
Please, please...please...let's stop taking cheap shots at Miles' expense. It was Ben & Jerry's, certainly not that low-life Baskin-Robbins crap.
