Ron Artest Now a Laker: The New World Order Coming To LA

ESPN.com has reported that the New World Order, Ron Artest can officially call himself a former Houston Rocket. Artest has come to a three-year $18 million verbal agreement with the LA Lakers. The acquisition of Ron Artest sends the message to current Lakers' free agents PF Lamar Odom and SF Trevor Ariza that they are free to court themselves elsewhere because Artest is in Hollywood. This is a great move by Mitch Kupchak, GM of the Los Angles Lakers because they did not overpay for Artest like they would have had to do with Trevor Ariza or Lamar Odom. Simply, Artest is a better player than Odom and Ariza. Now looking at what has transpired in the Western Conference this offseason with the Spurs adding Richard Jefferson and the Portland Trailblazers possible looking to acquire Hedo, the Lakers really needed to make a move that would keep them up with the San Antonio Spurs. However the Lakers might have to make one more acquisition if the Spurs sign Rasheed Wallace. Kobe Bryant will  ... (link)