Although it's probably nothing more than coincidence, I find it quite amusing that Ron Artest is set to sign with the Lakers and that Trevor Ariza has verbally committed to the Rockets.
Artest and Ariza aren't bit players whose movements don't make an impact, but key cogs in their respective former teams' playoff runs. Artest was a starter at the two for Houston; Ariza started at small forward for LA and was a major reason Showtime won another title.
I find what has happened to be reminiscent of Robert Horry's defection from LA to San Antonio in 2003. Now, neither Artest or Ariza were icons of their (old) franchises, but in case your memory is very short, LA and Houston had their heated seven-game playoff series in May.
I think Ariza was a better fit with the Lakers than Artest will be. The Lakers already have two great offensive weapons in Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol and Ariza fit in nicely when it came to making hustle plays, hitting the open jumpshot and finishing fast breaks. He was the ultimate secret weapon, although his value is no longer unknown.
Trevor Ariza will be taking his winning game to Houston, but I think he'll be a better sixth or seventh man than starter there. Battier is the incumbent at the three and Ariza doesn't provide the scoring or floor game that a two should. But he's more than good enough to come off the bench and provide impact hustle, defense and game-changing plays. He's totally the Daryl Morey type of player.
The big question for the Lakers will be whether Ron Artest can keep his ego in check. He loves to dribble and jack up contested threes. He likes to have the ball in his hands, and his favorite spots - the perimeter and low post - are occupied by Kobe and Gasol. I wonder if this move will have more of a Karl Malone-Gary Payton impact on the Lakers, especially if Lamar Odom doesn't re-sign.
No matter how things work out - and coincidence or not - this Ariza-Artest team swap shows us that it's not just amazing that happens in the NBA.
Incest happens, too ;)
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