What you call "bashing", I call "saying exactly the same thing you're saying". Comparing Ariza to Shandon Anderson isn't really bashing him, it's just a statement that Ariza is a career role player. WHICH IS EXACTLY WHAT YOUR POST STATES. Let's be friends.
Ariza's last full year in Orlando -->8.9pts, 4.4rbs, 1stl, 54% shooting Does that look like a scrub? EDIT: those are his 2006-07 stats, in 07-08 he only had 5.5pts, 3.1rbs, on 51% shooting. I admit he wasn't too polished at 19 and 20, but how many players are? Still, he looks like a guy who makes the most of his time on the court.
didnt realize he was pretty solid in his last year in orlando....that being said...either way he still wont be worth the contract he got
Very few NBA players improve astronomically 5+ years into their career. He's had half a decade in the NBA to develop the offensive repertoire to elevate his game but is still basically the same player he was at UCLA. I still think it's a good signing. He can be a valuable piece but will not become the solid number 2 or 3 offensive option that some here are expecting. I do hope you're right and he does do that but I highly doubt it.
i haven't read the whole thread but I have read enough. It's just ignorant to compare him to S. Anderson and to L. Head. He's has already passed those two by far even when he is sucking. You could tell from last nights game that he is still learning what his role is on this team. At times he played really well and at times he forced the issue to much. I say give him a chance. We have a talented 24 year old player instead of a crazy turnover prone over the hill, over rated player.
I wasn't a fan of the signing when it happened, but I'm liking what I've seen so far of Ariza. I can tell this guy wants to take his game to another level and is willing to work for it. He probably won't become an elite scorer, but I can see him really improving his game this season while being forced to take on a larger role in the offense. In fact I think the longer McGrady sits out, the better it will be for the long-term development of guys like Ariza and Budinger. And at this point, I'd rather see that than have a Tracy-centric team chalk up a few more wins.
ariza has never been proven to be a dominate player... you have to look at his potential best and potential worst. at worst he would be like shandon anderson/michael finley and at best he can be like richard jefferson/caron butler
I still think that von wafer had better potential than ariza on offense and he had all the tools to get better on defense. i will spare everyone and i will not beat the von wafer dead horse.
we can't make excuses for wafer. he is a nba champion and he has more playoff experience than any other rocket except for my brian cook.
He's not going to be an all star or even a star. I don't think anybody in the Rockets organization expected that when they signed Ariza, nor should the fans expect that. Everyone automatically assumed because he was our biggest FA signing this offseason and he came from the championship team Lakers, he was going to carry this team. He is at most a 2nd, preferably 3rd option. He definitely has the talents to expand his offensive game, and become a more crafty and skilled forward who can chip in 15-20 pts a game. If he had the potential to become a superstar swingman like Granger or T-mac, he would've shown that potential already given his +5 years in the league. Scoring by committee is the name of the game for the Rockets this season. We're gonna have a lot of 10-20 pt. scorers, but no one or two players consistently scoring over 20 points a game.
Scoring by committee is the name of the game for the Rockets this season. We're gonna have a lot of 10-20 pt. scorers, but no one or two players consistently scoring over 20 points a game.[/QUOTE] This. We'll probably be a rotation of Brooks, Scola, Ariza, Landry high scorers. That's fine, it's the way we're going to play. Ariza's hot 3point shooting has definitely helped me forgive his high turnover rate. But when his threes don't fall I will be more concerned about the TOs. And I want to see the vaunted defense, he's been struggling and that's supposed to be his specialty.
