<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>"A week from now, I can start doing a little bit of contact. And then a week later I can start playing," he said. "It's definitely good news." An MRI exam Friday showed that the bone in his foot had healed to the point of being able to begin basketball exercises.</div> http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-lakere...1,7592934.story A week from now, he can start taking contact. A week later, he can start playing. So if all goes well, he should be back two weeks from now, which should be around the start of the second round. Cross your fingers and pray that this isn't another mis-diagnosis. We'll finally get our second best defender back
I think Bynum is more of an important return than Ariza. I like the way Walton is playing and the bench was done a good job so far.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CLos @ Apr 26 2008, 10:24 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I think Bynum is more of an important return than Ariza. I like the way Walton is playing and the bench was done a good job so far.</div> Ariza is basically our defensive stopper.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CLos @ Apr 27 2008, 12:24 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I think Bynum is more of an important return than Ariza. I like the way Walton is playing and the bench was done a good job so far.</div> Of course Bynum is more important than Ariza... Last I checked, Bynum was reported to be out another 6 weeks. There should be enough time for him to return near the end of the WCF, but I wouldn't count on it. He probably won't be back until next season
Well, I'm a Magic fan so I've seen Ariza play a lot. He's not going to be an upgrade on the roster. The team is playing well and its not like Ariza is an offensive threat that much. He has an okay jumpshot and his defense is somewhat solid.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CLos @ Apr 27 2008, 01:02 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Well, I'm a Magic fan so I've seen Ariza play a lot. He's not going to be an upgrade on the roster. The team is playing well and its not like Ariza is an offensive threat that much. He has an okay jumpshot and his defense is somewhat solid.</div> You obviously didn't see the impact he had on the Lakers, then. He solidified the defense next Kobe and was crucial on offense because of his slashing abilities. His jumper didn't look half bad, either. His impact on the game, especially for the Lakers, is one that can't be discounted. I'll take his impact over any of our true swingmen (true doesn't include Lamar Odom--he's a versatile swingman). I'm not trying to discredit Luke Walton here, so don't jump down my throat ill and nMg. Luke's been so money this post-season, I hope he keeps it up.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Black Mamba @ Apr 27 2008, 01:20 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CLos @ Apr 27 2008, 01:02 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Well, I'm a Magic fan so I've seen Ariza play a lot. He's not going to be an upgrade on the roster. The team is playing well and its not like Ariza is an offensive threat that much. He has an okay jumpshot and his defense is somewhat solid.</div> You obviously didn't see the impact he had on the Lakers, then. He solidified the defense next Kobe and was crucial on offense because of his slashing abilities. His jumper didn't look half bad, either. His impact on the game, especially for the Lakers, is one that can't be discounted. I'll take his impact over any of our true swingmen (true doesn't include Lamar Odom--he's a versatile swingman). I'm not trying to discredit Luke Walton here, so don't jump down my throat ill and nMg. Luke's been so money this post-season, I hope he keeps it up. </div> Well, I haven't gotten to see much of Ariza on the Lakers this season I'll admit. I'll tell you this though: I'm glad we got Mo Evans. Ariza isn't that talented to be the #1 defender on the team so you might as well leave that to Kobe. He can drive to the hoop and its always good to see him dunk on somebody but that's about it for his offensive game. Luke Walton is better not only as a shooter, but as a passer also. He might not be that good defensively, but I rather take Walton.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CLos @ Apr 27 2008, 02:48 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Black Mamba @ Apr 27 2008, 01:20 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CLos @ Apr 27 2008, 01:02 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Well, I'm a Magic fan so I've seen Ariza play a lot. He's not going to be an upgrade on the roster. The team is playing well and its not like Ariza is an offensive threat that much. He has an okay jumpshot and his defense is somewhat solid.</div> You obviously didn't see the impact he had on the Lakers, then. He solidified the defense next Kobe and was crucial on offense because of his slashing abilities. His jumper didn't look half bad, either. His impact on the game, especially for the Lakers, is one that can't be discounted. I'll take his impact over any of our true swingmen (true doesn't include Lamar Odom--he's a versatile swingman). I'm not trying to discredit Luke Walton here, so don't jump down my throat ill and nMg. Luke's been so money this post-season, I hope he keeps it up. </div> Well, I haven't gotten to see much of Ariza on the Lakers this season I'll admit. I'll tell you this though: I'm glad we got Mo Evans. Ariza isn't that talented to be the #1 defender on the team so you might as well leave that to Kobe. He can drive to the hoop and its always good to see him dunk on somebody but that's about it for his offensive game. Luke Walton is better not only as a shooter, but as a passer also. He might not be that good defensively, but I rather take Walton. </div> Don't talk about Luke Walton like he's been so consistent this season. His per possession-minute numbers were overall awful this year, he was a waste.
Bottom line is, Ariza is our second best defender behind Kobe Bryant. If we want to make a run late in the postseason, we will need defense, and Ariza provides us with just that
Less minutes for Luke is something to look forward to. Hopefully, Ariza has learned by watching on the sidelines how he can produce in the Triangle and where he needs to be on defensive rotations. Having him available to defend will also take some of the burden off Kobe and Odom in the later rounds.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CLos @ Apr 27 2008, 02:48 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Black Mamba @ Apr 27 2008, 01:20 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CLos @ Apr 27 2008, 01:02 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Well, I'm a Magic fan so I've seen Ariza play a lot. He's not going to be an upgrade on the roster. The team is playing well and its not like Ariza is an offensive threat that much. He has an okay jumpshot and his defense is somewhat solid.</div> You obviously didn't see the impact he had on the Lakers, then. He solidified the defense next Kobe and was crucial on offense because of his slashing abilities. His jumper didn't look half bad, either. His impact on the game, especially for the Lakers, is one that can't be discounted. I'll take his impact over any of our true swingmen (true doesn't include Lamar Odom--he's a versatile swingman). I'm not trying to discredit Luke Walton here, so don't jump down my throat ill and nMg. Luke's been so money this post-season, I hope he keeps it up. </div> Well, I haven't gotten to see much of Ariza on the Lakers this season I'll admit. I'll tell you this though: I'm glad we got Mo Evans. Ariza isn't that talented to be the #1 defender on the team so you might as well leave that to Kobe. He can drive to the hoop and its always good to see him dunk on somebody but that's about it for his offensive game. Luke Walton is better not only as a shooter, but as a passer also. He might not be that good defensively, but I rather take Walton. </div> Why would you admit not having seem much of Ariza on the Lakers, and yet still be able to form the opinion that you'd rather take Walton over him? Basically, you're giving us a blind opinion, which holds little value. As for being glad you got Mo Evans, that's fantastic.. but that does nothing for the argument. There is such thing as a trade that benefits both teams, and this is a good example of one. As for the defensive thing, Ariza can guard the 2, 3, and even a few 1's. True, he can't shoot and he's a limited offensive player outside of his athletic slashing .. Lakers had a guy like that once in the 80's, that came off the bench .. his name was Michael Cooper... athletic, limited offensively, but brought the D off the bench. Even though you haven't seen much of him in a Lakers uniform, and yet choosing to draw the opinion anyway that you dont think Ariza is a #1 defender caliber player - which is choosing to disagree with the Lakers coaching staff - fact is he will be played as such by the Lakers staff. In the big scheme of things, even if he's not as effective as we hope defensively, as long as he is more effective than the other defensive alternatives (walton and Radmonivic), he will still save Kobe's legs and fouls. Fresh Kobe with fouls to give. .. he will be a monster on both ends come 4th qtr
Ariza's jumper didn't look to bad with us, did it? I recall it being pretty decent and I know he's been working on it since we've acquired him. I want him to be a DeShawn Stevenson type player for us.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Black Mamba @ Apr 28 2008, 01:30 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Ariza's jumper didn't look to bad with us, did it? I recall it being pretty decent and I know he's been working on it since we've acquired him. I want him to be a DeShawn Stevenson type player for us.</div> Hahahaha yeah. Trashtalking all the other superstars around the league. lol
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Black Mamba @ Apr 28 2008, 01:30 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Ariza's jumper didn't look to bad with us, did it? I recall it being pretty decent and I know he's been working on it since we've acquired him. I want him to be a DeShawn Stevenson type player for us.</div> I read somewhere that during all his off time, he was working on his shooting. I don't know how that's possible because doesn't he have an injured foot? Anyways, it's just something I read. Not sure if it's true or not As for his shooting, I agree with Mamba. His jumper didn't look as bad as advertised. If I remember correctly, he actually shot pretty well from beyond the arc as well.
i wouldn't look for Ariza to be making any kind of serious impact. Hes been injured for a while and the Lakers are playing great. I wouldn't be surprised if he got 10mpg or less. Walton is playing well right now and PJax will ride the hot hands. why mess with the way they've been playing? besides, the nuggets are one of the best offensive teams in the NBA and the lakers aren't having too much trouble without Ariza now...
I'm not going to give Luke all the credit quite yet. He's playing against an atrocious defensive team. If you look back on the season, Luke always piled it on against junk defense and garbage time. I'll wait to judge his postseason until round 2.
You might be right. Hes going to be matched up with either Kiralinko or Harpring. that should be entertaining.
