NBA 2008-2009 Season

[Heavencloud]

I don't think Artest will be a good fit in LA simply because there's not enough shots for him. He always seemed kind of ballhog-ish hoisting up threes when I have watched him play. He'll be a decent, but I just don't think there will be good chemistry between Kobe, Gasol, and Artest. Who knows though. I just think Ariza was a better fit.

[Stee]

I don't think chemistry will be too much of a problem, Kobe, Odom and Artest have been friends since they were kids. As for Artest's chucking, if he does it when the bench mob is on the floor I don't think it will be too much of a problem since their offense has been horrible.

Hopefully Ariza does well in Houston, that kid has some great potential it's just too bad he became a free agent when everyone is trying to dump salaries.

Kobe said that after the Lakers lost game six of the '08 NBA Finals in Boston by 39 points, he was alone in the shower, just fuming. He heard somebody walk in and assumed it was one of his teammates, or maybe a staff member. Instead, he looked up, and it was Ron Artest (to this day, Kobe has no idea how Artest got into the locker room).

"I want to come help you," Artest said. "If I can, I'm going to find a way to come to LA and give you the help you need to win a title."

[TummieGaruda]

Ariza's getting paid 5 years, $33 million.

Not too different from mid level exception, dude got screwed.

If you ever enter the NBA and some dude called David Lee tries to become your agent STAY THE FUCK AWAY.

Pretty sad that this happened because the fans loved Ariza. Now we get Artest which should give the Lakers some toughness, plus the fact that both Lamar Odom and Artest used to play basketball in Queens together so it will be interesting to see how their chemistry is. Also I want to see how Kobe and Artest's relationship develops lol.

By the way, wasn't Artests deal 3 years 18 mil? I mean that is close to what they offered Ariza and now he's going to houston for the mid-level exception...his agent got greedy as hell...

Kobe said that after the Lakers lost game six of the '08 NBA Finals in Boston by 39 points, he was alone in the shower, just fuming. He heard somebody walk in and assumed it was one of his teammates, or maybe a staff member. Instead, he looked up, and it was Ron Artest (to this day, Kobe has no idea how Artest got into the locker room).

"I want to come help you," Artest said. "If I can, I'm going to find a way to come to LA and give you the help you need to win a title."

Holy hell that is a bit creepy...

[GRT]

Ireland: Artest Told Kobe He Was Coming To L.A. - cbs2.com

Link for that story since Stee didn't.

[archibaldcrane]

That is the bromance-est shit I've ever heard.

Ever.

[Pro]

There is two sides to every coin so lets see.

On the bright side, the Lakers are definitely looking at the short term at winning championships.

But then again, they are losing a player that showed a lot of potential, and is young still.


Artest is definitely a loose cannon, but he's a monster defender. I like the trade, for now. Kobe decided not to opt out, so he's here for three more years. Artest signed for 3 years, so let's hope for at least two more-

[GRT]

looks like phil is set to return, and hedo is going to portland

man i can't wait for the new season to start already

[Stee]

This is like the NBA cold war, all the championship caliber teams are loading up.

Orlando got Vince Carter, Cleveland got Shaq, Spurs got Jefferson, Lakers got Artest and still waiting for Rasheed and the other free agents to pick their destinations.

Add in the whole Kobe, Duncan, Shaq 5 rings storyline and the coming season is going to be nuts.

[Iono]

I hope the spurs can add another decent piece. Not sure if they have enough money to tho. ._.a Nate Robinson might be a good fit, another big man to come off the bench or before Blair would be frickin awesome

[Heavencloud]

NBA free agents: Hedo Turkoglu, Portland Trail Blazers have agreement in principle - ESPN

I hope Hedo fits well with the Blazers, if Rudy really leaves and goes back to Europe I'm gonna be really pissed though. Oden + Aldridge + Roy + Turkoglu is gonna be sexy though. I hope we make a good run next season.

[GRT]

looking more and more likely that spurs can grab sheed before boston

[Dimmauk]

I don't think chemistry will be too much of a problem, Kobe, Odom and Artest have been friends since they were kids. As for Artest's chucking, if he does it when the bench mob is on the floor I don't think it will be too much of a problem since their offense has been horrible.

Hopefully Ariza does well in Houston, that kid has some great potential it's just too bad he became a free agent when everyone is trying to dump salaries.

I hope the best for the Lakers and the head case. He played nice in Houston, lets hope he does the same in L.A.

I wonder what will happen first, Artest gets hurt or he goes crazy? Both will happen, just not sure which will happen first.

[Stee]

I hope the best for the Lakers and the head case. He played nice in Houston, lets hope he does the same in L.A.

I wonder what will happen first, Artest gets hurt or he goes crazy? Both will happen, just not sure which will happen first.

Yeah it will happen but only after Tony Parker breaks his leg from eating a croissant, Manu Ginoblli amputates his own foot because he swears it was making faces at him and Tim Duncan's bones turns to ashes because even his body wants out after he takes being boring to a whole new level.

[Correction]

I wonder what will happen first, Artest gets hurt or he goes crazy? Both will happen, just not sure which will happen first.

It will happen during the first Lakers/Thuggets games, if not then then the first Lakers/Spurs game. I'd say rockets except they lost their best figther

[Heavencloud]

Hmmm just watched the local news and they said that the ESPN reports are wrong and the Blazers ARENT taking Hedo... should be interesting to see where he goes if not here...

[Stee]

The Oregonian has learned that free agent forward Hedo Turkoglu has rejected an offer to sign with the Trail Blazers and has ended negotiations with the team.

He will leave town tomorrow morning.

More to come.

Hedo Turkoglu rejects Blazers, ends negotiations - Behind The Blazers Beat

lol wow

[Heavencloud]

I'm fairly sure it's because it was 5 years $50mil, which is waay too much especially for that long. The guy's getting old. Ugh I was kinda excited though to have him here for a couple years

[GRT]

YouTube - Kobe And Artest: The 'Lost' Trash Talk

[Akiyama]

Hedo Turkoglu rejects Blazers, ends negotiations - Behind The Blazers Beat

lol wow

Left the Blazer talk to sign with the Raptors, rofl.

[Heavencloud]

Left the Blazer talk to sign with the Raptors, rofl.

I guess he doesn't care about winning, lol.