Trading Places: Lake Show Antes Up With Artest Over Ariza

The day started just like any other in the world of NBA free agency. Marc Stein had his rumor mill brewing, J.A. Adande was spouting off Laker plaudits as if they were going out of style and players were being courted. Hell, Shaquille O'Neal, The Big ______ was introduced as the newest member of the Cleveland Cavaliers. And he used his smile and his unique marketing tool to make some calls. As a guest on SportsCenter, O'Neal addressed two free agents in particular. "Hello, Ron, Hello, Trevor." he said sheepishly toward two of the marquee free agents. "Come join me." He repeated the offer a couple more times; after all, as much as the Diesel likes to say that the Cavs were a "damn good" team last season, they need a lot more help than a 37-year-old Aristotle. It was Artest and it was Ariza. And The Big ______ came away empty-handed. So did The King. While Cleveland was courting both Artest and Ariza to join yet another new-found home of O'Neal's, someone else and more importantly, ... (link)