Obviously. Yes and with Odom, you never have to worry about him screwing you over with "intensity." That was the big knock on Artest for his whole career. The point is that his overall production is tremendous. I think his "lack of intensity" is overrated by the numerous pop psychologists that follow basketball. He plays, he performs and he plays very good defense. Hence, he's a very good player. This micro analysis of his game doesn't translate into actual superior production. I do agree that he can "create shots" better than can Ariza. The problem is, he doesn't create high-quality shots. So while he can initiate his offense better, he ends up with a lower scoring efficiency. That might actually be okay for a team with no/few shot-creators...someone has to create a shot. That's not the case on LA. Kobe and Gasol (and Odom, if he returns) are far superior scorers, in terms of efficiency. Artest's lower efficiency shot-creation will take shots away from those superior options and hurt LA's offense. Ariza created less but scored more efficiently, which is a much better fit alongside Kobe/Gasol. Ironically, I think Artest is a better fit for Houston than Ariza, since Houston has no shot creators with Yao and McGrady hurt. And, as I said, Ariza is a better fit for LA. One of those lose-lose swaps. It was even more recently that LA brought in JR Rider, and it was viewed much the same way. It worked out like shit. Might want to keep in mind all of history. Jackson is a good people person, but he doesn't fix everyone.
I wouldnt necessarily agree with that. They made it without Bynum, so if like mentioned earlier, Bynum has a good season, then I think Artest>Ariza and a healthy consistent Bynum > Odom.
JR Rider was no where near the player that he was earlier in his career at that time. If you want to ride that horse, better get whippin it, because its your basketball rep on the line, not mine.
I have no idea what you're talking about. I'm not comparing Rider to anyone (even his old self) in terms of basketball ability. I'm saying that he was a difficult personality that Jackson couldn't tame. I'm simply pointing out that Jackson is not a magical cure-all for any tough attitude. He may succeed with Artest or he may not...he's had success (Rodman) and failure (Rider) in trying to "fix" oddballs.
Bynum is garbage. Yes, his hook is more fluid than Oden, but he seems like a soft twinkie when it comes to toughness and defense.
What's he shown? That the Lakers are actually better when he doesn't play? By the way, Lakers fans: go listen to the BS report on ESPN.com - long, and to me funny, discussion of Buss v. Odom.
I hope Odom stays with the Lakers . . . it will make knocking them out of the playoffs next year that much sweeter.
The difference being, the player you mentioned had no motivation and was smoking crack. Not many people can help folks who are smoking crack. Ron Artest on the other hand, has been nothing but a model citizen since being traded from Sacremento, and even before that has been on the up and up. Dennis Rodman may have been a bit crazy, but he wasn't smoking crack. Both Rodman and Artest had and or have motivation. JR Rider never had motivation. You wil note that when Artest was signed, it wasn't like they were even looking for anybody else. The same with Rodman. When Rider was signed, it was like "Well we have this roster spot, and we have nothing to lose."
I sort of agree with this. If Odom leaves, they'll have a ready excuse, sort of like they did when Boston killed them - "it was only because Bynum was injured!"
but then people will use the same thing here, but reversed. if we they beat us its "We would have beat them if they didnt have Odom"
Bynum has shown flashes for stretches including a 42 point monster. But we really can't know if a healthy Oden is >>>> then a healthy Bynum due to neither staying healthy long enough to tell! What's more hard to compare a what 4th year Bynum to a 1st year Oden. Lets watch this next season and see how it turns out. I have a bet with a friend for 09/10 that if Oden has 2 out of 3 higher out of Pts, Rebs, Blocks then Bynum's stats he owes me a pitcher of beer. I'm putting my money where my mouth is, or rather I'm going to be putting his money, converted into beer, where my mouth is
Getting your PF back for less than the previous offer: 9M or so in savings. Bumping a thread to quote yourself....priceless 'baggery.
