I remembered there were a great deal of guys feeling excited about Ariza's coming during the offseason. They all firmly believed this kid will be much better than Ron Artest. Where are those guys? Perhaps It's a good way to switch our talks to focus on their age. That will make us feel a little bit better. but 50 years old Deke Mutumbo still could be better than some younger centers, isn't it? some guys maybe argue that Ron's heart had already been into Lakers long time ago, but I have to say after Yao's down, Ron is not in Morey's plan at all……
I wasn't hyped up about Ariza when the Rockets signed him and I'm tempering my enthusiasm still. All I can hope for and expect is that Rick Adelman will get maximum effort and production out of Ariza. Right now, all I want is for Ariza to be a better version of Battier offensively and defensively. That by itself is worth his contract.
I really, really hope he can be an easy 15 ppg kind of guy, but I would be truly surprised. Maybe a year from now?
I probably wouldnt count on it this year. Maybe next year as you said. With Yao back and perhaps another star-level player(whether it be McGrady or someone else via trade), you may see it. I think he'll get the shots Battier normally gets when we have everyone(which is usually sitting out on the wing waiting for the 3 ball), but will put up slightly better numbers. Then again, maybe not. Ariza's career averages(6.9 ppg,3.8 rpg,1.3 apg) is similar what Battier put up last season(7.3 ppg,4.8 rpg,2.3 apg)
Von Wafer is definitely better than this kid!!!! Ariza doesn't worth 6 million dollars a year at all. As I said before, we will regret about letting Ron slip by. MARK MY WORDS.
Ariza is only 24 Give him a couple years and then make the judgement I am sure he can be develope into an 18ppg scorer by year end..
he can do a little more than when he was with the lakers. but yea, he's not 3rd option either. at most, i can foresee him being a 12-14 ppg player on a very good team.
If he reproduces what he did last year for the Lakers throughtout his entire signing then it will have been worth it.
True. Battier has tons more experience is the better help defender at this point. Both have the potential to score not in volume but enough to keep the opponent honest IMO.
