How is he overpaid? You're forgetting he's only 24 years old... he has a lot of time to develop into a good player if not a great player. I say that because he has a lot of potential with his athleticism. He doesn't have a great jump shot... but IMO 30 million over 5 years is well worth it...
This couldn't go in the official thread? And he's 24 Everybody trusts Morey, so, let's trust him here
isn't getting an all-star for the MLE considered a bargain? Ariza isn't an all-star but he's one of the best players that isn't an all-star. getting him for the MLE is just right imho.
Dude chill out ...its a cool; the rockets are making a youth movement, and 6 million per year isn't that much(Shane battier makes the same) the only difference is that Ariza turned 24 a couple days ago and he's also twice the athlete battier is
Somebody needs to explain all these people what Mid-Level Exception stands for. A MLE is the AVERAGE salary for a player in the NBA. So by saying Ariza is overpaid you mean you think he is worth less than the AVERAGE salary. At best Ariza is a moneyball player like Battier (another MLE) or at worse he is an AVERAGE guy who got paid AVERAGE money. For textbook definition of overpaid look up Ben Gordon.
We will not be under the cap anytime soon, so we could have either tied up money in Gortat and hope we get him or gotton ariza. I think Ariza is less a gamble than artest.
We're talking about a young, second round draft pick who's had to deal with injuries for 3 out of his first 5 seasons. That he hasn't gotten big minutes until recently isn't a real surprise. Per-minute, he's been pretty productive the last 3 seasons for a defense-oriented player that doesn't handle the ball a lot (16 PER).
I think a starting lineup of : Scola Landry Ariza Shane Brooks would be very fun to watch. 1. The middle would not be clogged up and Brooks would be free to be creative. 2. Also, this is a very high energy team and would hold their own on rebounding. Remember Landry at full strength in that final New Orleans game --right before he was shot. That was inspirational. 3. There are no ball-stoppers on the team like Ron and Wafer. 4. Everyone can hit an open shot.
I actually want to use Andrew Byumn as a textbook overpaid and overrated player Averaged 6.3 pts, 3.7 RPG and 0.9 BPG during the playoff and received a contract with 12.5 to 16 million in the next few years. Most importantly, to be projected as a all star starting C in 2009-2010 season.
Ariza just turned 24 one week ago and he was the 3rd scorer behind Kobe and Gasol on a championship team. In addition, he's a top flight wing defender with excellent height and length. No one can question his grit or toughness after this post season. At worst case, he's three point shooting dips back to mid 30% and we get a great wing defender that is extremely athletic and dynamic athletic scorer around the basket who is a beast in transition. At best case, like most players, his three point shooting improves and he builds on the confidence he gained with his phenomenal performance in the championship run. Also, he brings championship experience to a team without any. What do you want out of MLE money? I think that getting a young glue guy that doesn't need the ball, excellent defender and is already proven 3rd/4th starter on a championship team is about the best one's going to get for MLE money. I love you Dork Elvis!
??? How many years has Ariza been a starter? One, maybe 2? I think you are being a bit premature here, especially w/his numbers in the regular season.
t-mac lite??? wat hav u been smokin'??? ariza almost has no offensive game other than spot up 3's and fastbreak dunks while tmac is can do everything exceptionally well. I'd say Ariza is more like Battier-lite...or a clone of James Posey.. even the deals they signed are exactly the same...both full MLE contracts with "contending teams"
we offered wafer 3.5 mill and he had better stats then ariza damn we could of got wafer cheaper the nariza and signed somebody good
I agree completely. Full MLE is the market value for Ariza but he is definitely overpaid. Injury questions, shooting questions, cant create offensively, isn't a leader, still unproven IMO, not physical as a defender, he is athletic but doesn't utilize athleticism on offense, he doesn't deserve 35mil. I thought Morey didn't overpay but he sure did on this one. Part of the reason Id like to deal Ariza this year.
I love the smell of media bias in the morning! He could have been in LA but he went with HOUSTON! WAT AN IDIOT.
Laker and contract year doesn't sound all that exciting. Sasha and Walton looked good in their contract year, look what they have been since. Artest is a proven warrior playing all out every game.
