I think his agent deserves some of the blame as well. He tried to use the media to up the Lakers offer, and that doesn’t fly with Jerry Buss and Mitch Kupchak.

The biggest benefit to signing Artest is that he can defend physical small forwards like LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, and Paul Pierce. I think the Cavs (or any team with LeBron James for that matter), Nuggets, and Celtics pose the greatest threat to LA’s potential dynasty. Ariza played well against Hedo in the Finals, but he really struggled against Anthony in the Western Conference Finals. He just doesn’t have the strength required to bang with James, Anthony, and Pierce in the post.

But if the 2004 Lakers, and the defeats Team USA has suffered up until these last Olympics in FIBA competition have taught us anything, it is that “best player” isn’t the way to go… best TEAM is.

Trevor Ariza may be quiet, but he is also incredibly emotional. Remember the piece that was done on him over the playoffs about the death of his younger brother?

I’m sure Mitch didn’t mean to, but clearly Ariza was offended — and I believe him that it wasn’t the money.

It may well work out for both sides in this case, but it is also very likely that both Ariza and the Lakers may regret it as well.

Artest is a scoring option, at least he is in his mind, and I’d hate to see that come at the expense of Pau Gasol, and really hate to see it stunt Bynum’s growth.

You made a a lot of solid points.

I think Phil Jackson and Kobe Bryant will have an impact on Artest. They’ll teach him the finer points of the triangle, and rein in his shot selection.

Ariza played very well during the playoffs. I hate to see him go. I thought he and Bynum were the future of the franchise. But Artest is the better player. Artest is a much better defender. And he’s far more versatile on the offense end.

I would have been happy with either player.

During the 2009 NBA Playoffs…

Trevor Ariza shot 50% from the floor. Ron Artest shot 39%.

Trevor Ariza shot 48% from the arc. Ron Artest shot 28%.

Trevor Ariza made clutch defensive stops again and again for the Lakers. Ron Artest, a supposed lock down defender, made boneheaded decisions that resulted in technical fouls and ejections.

Trevor Ariza knows the intricacies of the triangle offense and is productive in it. Ron Artest doesn’t, and frankly doesn’t have a reputation for being the brightest bulb in the ceiling.

Trevor Ariza is young and getting better. Ron Artest is declining.

Ron Artest is a stronger BRAND name than Trevor Ariza, but Trevor is the better player — especially for the Lakers.

What is Artest going to give the Lakers that Ariza couldn’t? Defense? No, Ariza is perhaps the Lakers best defender. Shooting? Uh, no. Toughness? Sorry, Ariza has that too.

Some people are accusing Ariza of “getting greedy.” Interestingly, Trevor Ariza turned down more money to play with the Toronto Raptors. Was Ariza greedy, or were the Lakers just cheap?

Perhaps Trevor opted for Houston instead of Toronto in order to get more games against the Lakers so he can make them pay for not paying to keep him.

The Lakers may still win a championship with Artest instead of Ariza, but they didn’t make themselves better with this move.

Think about it: when the Lakers lost to the Celtics, the chorus sang, “Wait until Andrew Bynum gets better!”

But this year, Bynum was a complete non-factor for the Lakers. The Lakers biggest improvement came at the 3 spot (small forward) when Trevor Ariza healed and began playing well on both ends of the court.

Artest, more than another other Rocket, ruined Houston’s offense in the playoffs. Artest over dribbled the ball constantly, especially late in the game, then hucked up poor shots against the shot clock and Lakers defense (often Trevor Ariza).

Again, the Lakers MAY still win with Artest, but they PROVED they can win with Ariza.