Lets say your theory is correct in regards to chase starting at the 3, do you think battier starting right now is going to help this team win a ring this year? I dont think so and i will get back to your/rockets theory, if thats the case, why not just start chase? If he is the future at the 3 spot, just like adelman did in sacramento with corliss vs peja, why not trade battier and start chase towards an eye on the future? Thats my point about the whole thing in regards to what the rockets are trying to accomplish this year. Again, I like lee alot, but he's basically a 2. He cant guard anything but sg's because he's smallish. He's not going to defend bigger guys in the post from the wing, but right now, he is great depth with martin's injury history. If martin stays healthy, which i doubt, then he will come in and avg 12 pts a game. He's a solid player and thats cool because thats what ariza was. People on this board would tell you he's an upgrade and i dont see it because now shane is back in the lineup.
He was a bench player that started what, only 20 games for them? Come on, he parlayed a decent run in the playoffs into a large contract. One in which he could not live up to, because he is just not that good. Even Phil Jackson said they wanted Ron because he was a 30mpg player and Ariza wasn't. DD
Ariza started 23 games in the playoffs for the Lakers and averaged 31.4 mpg. Adelman also played him more than 30 mpg. So, yes, he is a 30 mpg player. I like Courtney Lee better though.
Ariza is a better SF than Lee; Lee is a better SG than Ariza. Defensively, they are both good, but Ariza didn't use his length to his advantage and also took too many chances on steals. Lee knows how to stay with his guy and gets in better position on defense. Given Lee's quickness, maturity and good handles, I'd give the nod to Lee. He hustles much better and guess what, he doesn't get pouty and selfish - we came out way better on this deal. I've always wanted Lee to play for the Rockets.
DD, they lakers went out and did what they do and thats why they have way more rings than the rockets. They upgrade and they get players who can make an impact vs wondering if a guy who fits in. Ron artest is an all star caliber player and the lakers saw the chance to get him. They won a title because artest shut down pierce and played big in the final 2 games in the finals. Again, a guy who you said didnt fit, was a ball hog and overstepped his play. When he left, he took the toughness with him. I guess he rode kobe's coattails also right? I dont mind this discussion even if you have a one sided view of it. The first year against boston, ariza got hurt and pierce allen/pierce combo abused the kobe whoever combo. The next year after working into the lineup, the lakers took off after ariza started at the 3 spot. Without the big plays against denver, they dont beat denver. Without the 13 rd qt points on the road,they dont beat orlando in a a pivotal game. Its easy for you to minimize what a guy has done in a crucial situation on the road,but what rocket during the yao-tracy era performed that well in the same situation? Yep, nobody. If its so easy to do, why didnt one of your favorites, jamison not do the same? What about those guys who played with dream before horry,cassell,maxwell, step up and ride coattails? I will tell you why. They're scared of the moment.It takes alot more than a play or playing within a frame to make plays on a high level during crunchtime.
The Lakers got lucky in the draft with Kobe Bryant. Yes they trade Divac for him, but it was a risk. The only thing they have done after that was get Pau Gasol.... There is no LAKER Magic....it is the luck of the draw. If the Rockets drafted Bryant, we would be sitting on multiple championships, same as the Bulls with Jordan.....Portland gift wrapped Jordan to them by taking Bowie and they won 6 rings. Just stop with the weaksauce argument about the Lakers going out and getting someone to make them a championship contender, it just is not true. Sometimes teams get lucky and get an all time player: Lakers - Bryant Spurs - Duncan etc..etc..etc....very few teams build through trades like Boston did.....most of them have a superstar already..... DD
^This Acting like the Lakers are somehow a better run organization than the Rockets is just plain stupid. Kobe didnt want to play anywhere but LA so he got traded there for nothing Gasol got sent there in a ridiculous trade when other teams had better offers. "The Lakers went out and did what they do" - laughable
The ONLY thing the Lakers have going for them is that they are in a very desirable city. Otherwise their front office is no better than others, in fact, I would think the Rockets front office is better at this point. DD
