Hey, Trevor Ariza…How Does My ARTEST Taste?

As a Lakers fan, I want to extend my deepest gratitude to Trevor Ariza for two reasons: 1) He played a significant role in the Lakers winning the NBA Championship, and 2) He just played an even more significant role in better positioning the Lakers for a repeat in 2010. For all intents and puposes, Ariza just traded himself to Houston in exchange for Ron Artest. Okay, so it was twin free agent moves and not a trade, but it worked out the same way. Ariza balked at the $5.6 million mid-level exception offer to stay with the Lakers. Then, “Mr Insulted” agrees to sign with the Rockets for $5.8 million per year…HUH???. In doing so, he allowed Ron Artest to happily step in and take essentially the same deal (actually it’s $6 Mil/year, but what’s a few hundred grand among NBA friends?). THANK YOU, TREVOR…for playing hard ball with Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak! Ariza, very all of a sudden, became a good, versatile, starting role player at the 3-spot, ... (link)