Ron Artest vs. Trevor Ariza: Why the Lakers are Better Off with Ron-Ron

(Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Is it possible for a team to lose a top free agent and actually get better?  Well, not usually, but in this instance the Lakers appear to have done just that.

On Thursday, former Lakers small forward Trevor Ariza signed a five-year, $33 million deal with the Houston Rockets.  Before the ink was even dry on the contract,  former Rockets small forward Ron Artest had agreed to sign with the Lakers.

The deal, although terms have not been disclosed, is rumored to be three years at the mid-level exception (just under $6 million per year).

So how are the Lakers better?

Ariza certainly improved his three-point shooting in the playoffs this past season, but is that a lasting improvement?  He improved it over the regular season as well, but in the playoffs he took it to yet another level. 

Also, Ariza was among the league leaders in steals this past season, including some key steals in the playoffs, some of which led directly to Laker wins.  Make no mistake about it: Ariza has improved by leaps and bounds and he's still only 23 years old.

It will be interesting down the road to see if he can sustain and continue to improve or if he just flourished as a role player in the right role on the right team.  Either way, from a Lakers perspective, Ariza will be missed.

Simply put, Ron Artest makes the Lakers tougher.  While Ariza was great at steals and stepping into the passing lanes in the open court, Artest is a premier lock down, one-on-one defender.  He can be put on the opposing team's best shooter and take pressure off Kobe Bryant on the defensive end of the floor. 

Less energy spent by Bryant on defense?  Well, we all know what that will mean for a player who's already arguably the best closer in the NBA.  Artest also has a knack for getting into the heads of opposing players and taking their minds out of the game. Lesser concentration means lesser performance.

On the offensive end, while Artest's outside shot appears to be quite streaky, as far as percentages go, Artest is a better three-point shooter than Ariza. Ariza is more of a slasher.

There's nothing wrong with that, but in the playoffs defenses get tougher and most of the teams that survive that long have a presence in the paint that makes it much more difficult to get to the basket. 

Artest is much bigger and stronger.  He is an outstanding post player.  He creates matchup problems and can draw double teams down low, leaving openings for other players. His style is much more suited to playoff basketball than that of Ariza.

Some may say that the Lakers are worse because Artest is a hot head, a distraction, or a cancer in the locker room.  I say, if Phil Jackson can Handle Dennis Rodman, he can certainly handle Artest. 

Also, Artest has a lot of respect for Kobe Bryant, the biggest factor in keeping someone on the right page is to have their respect. Bryant's resume speaks for itself.

Artest is getting older now and what every player wants before he leaves this great game is a ring.  Ron doesn't have one yet.  I say he'll be playing this year with his eyes on the prize instead of his head in the clouds.

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