It pisses me off when you people bash the hell out of Ariza just because he is not good being one of the main offensive focuses on the team. 1. Ariza is new to this team, new to this style of offense, new to the players, the coach, etc. He is not going to immediately adjust to the team. You can't expect him to get in the flow this early on. It doesn't matter than he shot horrible percentages early on in the preseason. He will eventually find his role on the team. That's what preseason is for. 2. Ariza is young. His best years are way out ahead of him. He is still developing and playing on the Houston Rockets at this point, is probably the best way to do that. Don't expect higher numbers than last season while he was on the Lakers. 3. You people probably never saw Ariza play on the Lakers. He almost NEVER created his own shot while he was on the Lakers, rather he was spot-up shooting, or driving and finishing on fast breaks. Here are his strengths: - Drive. - Spot-up shooting. - Defense. Honestly, it's getting ridiculous. For those of us that have actually seen Ariza play on the Lakers last season, we know exactly what we are getting. He is NOT going to develop into a star player or a team leader that's for sure. His play-style puts him in more of a role-player type of position. If anything, the new offensive weapon of this team, that will do most of the work, will probably either be Aaron Brooks or Scola. That being said. Do any of you actually think Ariza is going to develop into something more than a role-player?
He is what he is. If he gets better, I don't expect him to get THAT much better. His potential to me is around a D hence the 2nd round tag.
Which would be perfectly fine for the price we're paying. That aside, I've liked what I've seen lately. He has a nice first step and has gotten around his man quite a few times in the last few games... not to mention the ball is going in the hole for him again. The first few games were largely unimpressive (and actually worrisome), but his play lately in the flow of the offense has given me more confidence.
For the record, calling for people to stop bashing a player basically directly invites them to do it more. It bothers me when people do this with McGrady. That being said, you make some good points. I think there's still a bit of sour grapes for giving up Artest simultaneously, and people expect more out of a guy with a ring. As long as he gives us 100% this year there's not much use in complaining, and I think he will.
What most people don't understand (especially that one guy that complaing that we got screwed) is that this was NOT a trade. Artest declined a resign, so he was signed as a free agent by the Lakers. Vice-versa with Ariza. You can't get screwed that way.
Not sure what you're trying to say here. Like Morey stated, his D alone makes him worth the contract he received. But he can def contribute offensively as well. He can slash, finish around the rim and is a great catch and shoot player.
I agree with the OP. People need to back off of Ariza. Its only PS, the bigger the game, the better he plays. When the Superstar of the team (TMac) comes back from injury, you'll see just how good Ariza is
Ariza has had to defer the ball so much, that I think now, that's how he plays best. When he has someone to defer to, or when he has another superstar that attracts all the defensive attention. Not to mention, now that Tracy is gone for a while, the other team's best defender will probably be defending Ariza about half the time.
id be a lot happier with him if he weren't trying to do things that are way outside of his abilities. that might be the coaching staff's fault but ariza simply is not good at creating his own shot or shots for others. as such, we should stop giving him the ball at the top of the key as if he were tmac; he isn't, and the sooner we stop expecting him to fill that role the better he'll perform and the better off the team will be.
That's how I felt after watching the first two or three games of the pre-season. He seemed to be forcing the whole "expand my game" thing and it looked out of sorts. However, lately, his game is under control and fitting in quite nicely.
He was a great signing after ron artest left, he doesn't have the offensive skills that ron had, but he is faster, smarter, and a better role player , plus ron was diminishing defensively.. no doubt ariza struggled first couple of games, but hes stepped it up the past couple of games, he will be a great fit, and i agree especially when Tmac is back.. Trevolution as i like to call him, will be a big part on why the Rockets do make the playoffs this year
It is hard to predict if he will be a star or team leader. The two are completely different, Battier is no star, but sure is a leader. I think Ariza could become a leader because he can set a good example with effort and defense. Time will tell, but I don't think he will be a Star
I'd rather bash the guy than set unreasonably high expectations for him. Jeff Van Gundy taught me that.
I don't recall anyone really bashing Ariza. There are folks that have high expectations for him an can feel disappointed to this point. The last game was his best performance so far. It's pre-season and he is making progress. I think the majority of us support Ariza and want him to do well for this organization. It'll be great to watch him grow.
For the money, I love the signing of Ariza. I think he is a guy who brings energy, a commitment to defense, and could end up being a leader. Will he be a star who can put a team on his back? Maybe or maybe not, but it is certainly too early to tell on that.
