If anything Ariza owns Artest (I was low when I heard Ariza was leaving). I think even Artest sarcastically mentioned to one reporter that Ariza was better than him. Sarcasm or not, Lakers could do with Ariza right now but it's not to be. The thing is, players like Artest just slip into those zones where they are beyond help some times. He has been missing open shots a lot and it's up to him to get out of that slump and start making them. (See Ray Allen) Phil Jackson can't do anything to get him out of that slump. Now, when it comes to defense, that's where I have no doubt that Artest needs to get a wake up call. That's the reason he was brought to LA, even though he had to talk to Bryant while he was in the shower about it :amuse:
Some Lakers fans have already drawn up plans for Odom and Artest to leave at the end of the season. I say, lets wait and see what happens in Game 6 coz really Lakers are down, not out. In that light: the Staples Center crowd sucks when it comes to getting behind the team. Just kick out the celebrities for the next game (except Jack, he can handle the truth) and bring in the guys way up high in the stands to the lower levels. That's the game winning formula right there.
Two years ago, Ron Artest walked into the locker room at TD Garden and promised things would be different if he were on the Lakers. He told Lamar Odom in the hallway, Brian Shaw in the training room and, most memorably, Kobe Bryant in the shower. He told them all he wanted to join the Lakers to help them win a championship and beat the Celtics.