I like it

Just got home and have read the news as final. The Lakes are landing Artest and Ariza is gone. I'm sad in a sense. Trevor brought a lot to the team. He was athletic. He hit big threes. He gave LA something they didn't have in other players. The Lakers have the personnel to play half court with anyone. Ariza was often a wild card for them with his hustle plays. That said, Trevor has gone from a journeyman to a key contributor on a championship team. But he is nowhere near as good as Ron Artest. In a way, TA is a victim of the economy. But the Lakers also played him in his free agency. Can he really improve to the level of Artest? I doubt it. And I doubt he'll be able to prove it in Houston which sports a similar player in Shane Battier. Artest brings toughness, rebounding, and defense. He's not a great shooter, but he's as good as TA and with fewer attempts I see his percentage improving. Moreover, Artest gives Kobe protection in the way Mo Lucas did for Bill Walton or Rodman did for Jordan. It might just extend KB's career. Yes, Ron Ron is nuts. He may well cost the Lakers a few games and lose some more to suspension. But PJ loves him and thinks he can coach him ala Rodman or Brian Williams. It would have been great to bag both RA and TA and the Lakers need to get more athletic (maybe Shannon Brown is resigned now?), but Mitch K has just assembled the best frontline in the league especially if Odom returns. Pau, Artest, Bynum, LO and throw in Kobe if you want at small forward. Wow, that's a lot of talent, a lot of rebounds, and a ton of versatility. If the Lakers can somehow shore up their PG situation I think they're hands on faves to return to the Finals. They need to get younger in spots but Mitch just made a power play to try and repeat next year and contend for a few more. If there's another GM who has made better moves in the last two years I don't know his name. The Ariza deal was a steal. Pau, ditto to the nth. I didn't like the three-point ability the Lakes gave up in the Vlad Rad deal but it brought them Shannon Brown and whatever AMO ends up being worth (throwaway expiring contract or reclamation project). Last night I couldn't sleep thinking TA was gone. He ends up signing for more years and more overall money, but in the end it might be just like Turiaf to the Warriors; a better paycheck but not necessarily a better career move. Tonight, I can't wait for next season. Win or lose it's going to be wild ride with Ron but one I think might end up being a marriage made in heaven.