Mark Cuban is glad the Lakers got Ron Artest

[Roy Hobbs]

"I tell you what, now that they've got Ron Artest, I couldn't think of anything better," Cuban said during an appearance on ESPN 103.3 in Dallas. "If you would have said, what one player -- and I'll get killed over this -- what one player would you like to see on the Lakers? Ron Artest.

"Could you imagine? Ron Artest has got the ball, and Kobe's standing there, 'Throw me the ball.' Thank you, Ron Artest."

Link

[moiso]

Artest is maybe the only nba head case whose game I really like, but Cuban could be right.  I'm really not sure Artest will like being the fifth option on that team behind Kobe, Gasol, Odom, and Bynum.  But that's exactly what he should be.  It looks good on paper but it could also blow up in the Lakers face.  And I hope it does!

[PosImpos]

I don't know if I would go so far as to say that I'm "glad" they got him, but Cuban makes a good point.  Acquiring Artest has as much an element of risk as it does reward, in my opinion.

[RAcker]

Yet another reason that Mark Cuban, even with all of his goofiness, is good for the NBA.

[gustusias]

I am a Celtics fan, but come on, he'll be just fine there. He is a wonderful player, even if dirty. Yet, I saw Arisa as being at least as good and quicker, faster, more athetic, younger. A GM is  supposed to know more than me, but I disagree with Kupchack.

[Celtics17]

Yeah, it's kind of like when Rodman went to Chicago and we all know how bad that was. Hold on, they won the title with Rodman didnt they?

[RMO]

Yeah, it's kind of like when Rodman went to Chicago and we all know how bad that was. Hold on, they won the title with Rodman didnt they?

But Rodman made his name as a rebounder and tough defender.  He was never much of a scorer.  He had, previous to the Bulls, been on a team with scorers so he didn't have to make a big adjustment to his game.  Artest will have to make that adjustment.  I wouldn't go so far as to say I'm glad they got Artest and while I think he's better than Ariza I do believe that Ariza would be better for them in this complementary role.

[xmuscularghandix]

I am a Celtics fan, but come on, he'll be just fine there. He is a wonderful player, even if dirty. Yet, I saw Arisa as being at least as good and quicker, faster, more athetic, younger. A GM is  supposed to know more than me, but I disagree with Kupchack.

Artest + Youth + Sanity = Trevor Ariza

I think this is a mistake.

[greenwise]

I think Ariza did a very good job last year for the Fakers. Artest would be an upgrade talent-wise, but unfortunately the guy is a bomb ready to explode in any direction. It's good for us that LA preferred him to Ariza, because I honestly think overall they lost the best team player in the process

[jackson_34]

As soon as Ron Ron signed with the lakers he said something along the lines of "I am just going to focus on Defense, nothing else." He'll be fine.

[screwedupmaniac]

You'll probably never hear me say this again, but I actually agree with Mark Cuban, I'm glad they got Artest too. The Lakers made the same mistake that Orlando made, and that's swapping talented youth and a big part of their starting 5 and team chemistry, for athletes whose better days are behind them.

Vince Carter doesn't play defense, and Artest holds onto the ball too much. I think Orlando was better with Turk and Lee, and LA was better with Ariza.

And the great thing with their offseason moves - what did these teams do to add depth and experience to their benches? Just about nothing.

[PosImpos]

And the great thing with their offseason moves - what did these teams do to add depth and experience to their benches? Just about nothing.

That's true of the Lakers, but not really true of the Magic - they added Matt Barnes, Brandon Bass, Ryan Anderson, and Jason Williams to their bench, while only losing bench players Lee, Battie, and Alston.  I'd say that's a net upgrade, though perhaps not a huge one.

[nickagneta]

I don't think it matters because I think this is the year Kobe finally has a major injury that costs him a huge amount of games. He has been surprisingly durable and I think the wear and tear after so many seasons finally catches up to him. It happens to most every player. I think this is Kobe's year to go down with injury. I don't wish it, I just think the odds of him going sooooo many years without a major, season ending injury is too high not to think it could happen this year.

[bdm860]

Yeah, it's kind of like when Rodman went to Chicago and we all know how bad that was. Hold on, they won the title with Rodman didnt they?

But Rodman made his name as a rebounder and tough defender.  He was never much of a scorer.  He had, previous to the Bulls, been on a team with scorers so he didn't have to make a big adjustment to his game.  Artest will have to make that adjustment.  I wouldn't go so far as to say I'm glad they got Artest and while I think he's better than Ariza I do believe that Ariza would be better for them in this complementary role.

See I agree with Celtics17. 
I think it has more to do with respect.  Without a doubt, Kobe is the alpha dog on the Lakers.  And a lot of people will argue Kobe is the alpha dog of the whole league (if not then top 2), and some other people will possibly go as far as calling Kobe one of the best ever (maybe top 10?).  Artest will respect and fall in line behind Kobe.  It can work when you have a general that the player respects and will listen to and knows is better than him.

Like if Artest went to Denver two seasons ago at the trade deadline, I could see problems because he might question Melo or AI or think he's better than them, he wouldn't respect them fully.  "Melo is too young, too immature, hasn't earned anything yet, AI is too selfish, doesn't practice, why am I going to listen to them?"  And George Karl has been on some sinking ships before too and definitely lost his players respect.

Or if somehow Artest ended up in a place like Phoenix.  I can see not having respect for and not falling in line behind Nash and Amare.  "Nash is just popular because he's white, doesn't play D, too old, and he's a push over, and Amare is just all about himself, I'm better than them, just give me the ball."  And I can't see Artest respecting any of the Suns past few coaches.

But Artest will fall in line behind Kobe and Phil.  He's going to listen to those guys.  Might be an incident or two like Rodman kicking the camera man.  But on the court, on the bench, and in the locker room he's going to listen and respect those guys, which I think will translate into some of the best we've ever seen Artest fit on any team.

[indeedproceed]

"I tell you what, now that they've got Ron Artest, I couldn't think of anything better," Cuban said during an appearance on ESPN 103.3 in Dallas. "If you would have said, what one player -- and I'll get killed over this -- what one player would you like to see on the Lakers? Ron Artest.

"Could you imagine? Ron Artest has got the ball, and Kobe's standing there, 'Throw me the ball.' Thank you, Ron Artest."

Link

Cuban is an idiot He's absolutely right though, he will get killed for saying that.