jpf_v2.0
07-02-2009, 11:27 PM
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/03/sports/basketball/03lakers.html?ref=sports
Ron Artest, who nearly derailed the Los Angeles Lakers’ championship drive, will apparently be joining them for the next joyride through the playoffs.
Skip to next paragraph
N.B.A.
Multiple news media outlets reported Thursday that Artest had reached an agreement to sign with the Lakers. Artest confirmed the deal in an interview with CBSSports.com and in a text message to ESPN.com.
“I am happy to say I am goin’ to L.A.,” Artest wrote in the message to ESPN. A Lakers official confirmed Thursday night that a three-year, $18 million deal had been reached.
The N.B.A. has a moratorium on signings and trades, and no deal can be completed until Wednesday.
Artest, a fearsome defender and a potent scorer, is coming off perhaps his best season. He helped lead the Houston Rockets to a 53-29 record, despite the loss of Tracy McGrady to an injury. The Rockets pushed the Lakers to seven games in the Western Conference semifinals, after losing center Yao Ming.
Through it all, the famously combustible Artest held his emotions and his temper in check. He averaged 17.1 points and 5.2 rebounds in the regular season, without a single incident, and became a respected locker-room leader.
The Rockets, who acquired Artest last summer, felt that he would thrive as the third star on the team, with all the pressure and responsibility on McGrady and Yao. In Los Angeles, Artest will have the luxury of playing on a virtual All-Star team, with Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and probably Lamar Odom, whom the Lakers expect to re-sign.
Artest will also have the benefit of a Hall of Fame coach, Phil Jackson, who has a knack for managing unusual personalities and outsize egos.
In Artest and Bryant, the Lakers may have the best wing duo in the league. Both are dedicated defenders and versatile scorers who can average 20 points a game, rebound and pass.
Artest will apparently replace Trevor Ariza as the starting small forward. Ariza, who had a breakout season, had indicated that he might leave for a bigger payday. He apparently found it in Houston, with ESPN reporting that Ariza had come to terms with the Rockets.
The Rockets are in transition, with McGrady recovering from major knee surgery and Yao possibly out for the season because of foot problems. That opened the door to Artest’s leaving.
Ron Artest, who nearly derailed the Los Angeles Lakers’ championship drive, will apparently be joining them for the next joyride through the playoffs.
Skip to next paragraph
N.B.A.
Multiple news media outlets reported Thursday that Artest had reached an agreement to sign with the Lakers. Artest confirmed the deal in an interview with CBSSports.com and in a text message to ESPN.com.
“I am happy to say I am goin’ to L.A.,” Artest wrote in the message to ESPN. A Lakers official confirmed Thursday night that a three-year, $18 million deal had been reached.
The N.B.A. has a moratorium on signings and trades, and no deal can be completed until Wednesday.
Artest, a fearsome defender and a potent scorer, is coming off perhaps his best season. He helped lead the Houston Rockets to a 53-29 record, despite the loss of Tracy McGrady to an injury. The Rockets pushed the Lakers to seven games in the Western Conference semifinals, after losing center Yao Ming.
Through it all, the famously combustible Artest held his emotions and his temper in check. He averaged 17.1 points and 5.2 rebounds in the regular season, without a single incident, and became a respected locker-room leader.
The Rockets, who acquired Artest last summer, felt that he would thrive as the third star on the team, with all the pressure and responsibility on McGrady and Yao. In Los Angeles, Artest will have the luxury of playing on a virtual All-Star team, with Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and probably Lamar Odom, whom the Lakers expect to re-sign.
Artest will also have the benefit of a Hall of Fame coach, Phil Jackson, who has a knack for managing unusual personalities and outsize egos.
In Artest and Bryant, the Lakers may have the best wing duo in the league. Both are dedicated defenders and versatile scorers who can average 20 points a game, rebound and pass.
Artest will apparently replace Trevor Ariza as the starting small forward. Ariza, who had a breakout season, had indicated that he might leave for a bigger payday. He apparently found it in Houston, with ESPN reporting that Ariza had come to terms with the Rockets.
The Rockets are in transition, with McGrady recovering from major knee surgery and Yao possibly out for the season because of foot problems. That opened the door to Artest’s leaving.