Archive for July, 2009

The recent free agent swap between the Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers included two strikingly different players, Trevor Ariza and Ron Artest.  Ariza is known in Los Angeles for his clutch playoff 3-pointers and game-changing defensive plays.  Artest is known for running into the stands five years ago and attacking a fan who threw beer on him.  The incident earned Artest a 73-game suspension, and has tarnished his otherwise-impressive career.  Many Laker fans are entering the Artest Era with the trepidation one might encounter when going out on a first date with a girl who is known to have [...]

Here’s video footage of most of the Ron Artest introductory Lakers press conference, thanks to the people over at the Los Angeles Times.

It’s no secret around here that signing Ron Artest to a 5-year contract is huge news.  We at LakeShowLife.com have been discussing the move endlessly since it was announced and we’ll have in-depth analysis on the Ariza/Artest swap tomorrow. In the mean time, however, it’s worth noting to all the doubters out there that it appears Artest has his head in somewhat of a good place.  When the subject of his pay cut came up at his official signing news conference, he stated he felt underpaid.  However, he reconciled that by saying, “But it’s OK. At the end of the [...]

Today, we remembered the King of Pop at the poignant Michael Jackson Memorial. During that ceremony, Lakers legends Kobe Bryant and Magic Johnson spoke about M.J. It was nice to see Kobe speak on behalf of my generation, a generation that was reared by the fully arrived King of Pop. But what was really amazing was seeing Magic, no stranger to tragedy himself, speak about his friend and a family he had known for 30 years. What stood out to me? Magic calling Mike his idol. I really found it interesting that an entertainer motivated him to become a better [...]

Sorry, Ron Artest. Sure, Lakers fans rep you now, just like you rep Michael Jackson with your new digits (37). But this rap tribute to M.J. has gotta be the worst rap I’ve ever heard in my life. We here at Lake Show Life have gotta call it like we see it. You might be from Queensbridge, but you are no Nas (Man, I would love to hear Nas do a tribute to M.J. over the “Human Nature”-sampling “It Ain’t Hard To Tell” beat. Now that would be dope.) Check it out… My biggest question, and others have asked it [...]

The Lakers have reached an agreement with Shannon Brown keeping the athletic combo guard in L.A. for two more years. According to the Los Angeles Times, the deal is worth $4.2 million with a player option for the second year. Brown worked his way into Phil Jackson’s rotation after coming to L.A. mid-season as a throw-in for a trade invloving Vladimir Radmanovic and Adam Morrison. Jackson, who prefers bigger guards with a defensive commitment, felt comfortable giving Brown minutes as he quickly took to learning the triangle offense. Laker fans grew fond of the former Michigan State Spartan as she showed flashes of athletic [...]

The Los Angeles Lakers have announced that Phil Jackson will return as head coach for the 2009-10 season. “After consulting with Lakers team internist Dr. John Moe, I feel confident that I can gainfully pursue an NBA season with another long playoff postseason. All things point to go!,” said Jackson. This news comes on the heels of the arrival of Ron Artest and the departure of Trevor Ariza. According to the Los Angeles Times, Phil played a key role in the acquisition of Ron Artest and has secretly desired to coach the volatile forward for some time. PJ got his [...]

ESPN’s Chris Broussard is reporting that Ron Artest and the Lakers have agreed on a three-year, $18 million deal. The first thing that comes to mind when I think of this signing, is that the Lakers now, at least on paper, have one of the most-imposing foursomes ever to step on NBA hardwood together. Think about it in these terms (as Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith often did last season)… Kobe Bryant is the best No. 1 option in the NBA. Sorry, King, but where’s the bling? Pau Gasol is arguably the best No. 2 option in the NBA, or [...]

Goodbye Trevor Ariza, hello Ron Artest? Looks like it. Ron Artest just told CBSSports.com senior writer Ken Berger that he’ll be signing with the Lakers. Here’s a screenshot… “I’m definitely going to L.A. — to sign, yeah,” Artest said in a phone interview. “Lakers, Lakers, Lakers. I’m in L.A. right now.” Artest said he met with Lakers owner Dr. Jerry Buss Thursday and previously had spoken with Lakers coach Phil Jackson. He was en route to his financial manager’s office, where he planned to huddle on the phone with his agent, David Bauman, to finalize details… “I don’t really care about the money,” Artest said. “I’ll play [...]

We’re not going to pretend to know you, Trevor, even though we feel as if we do. Let’s just say that we knew you as a Comet before anyone ever knew you as a Bruin or a Laker. Before you decide to go down this road and leave the city that helped to make you into the most athletic Santa Claus Grant Hill ever saw, we’d like to remind you of a few things. As it stands, you’re stuck trying to get what you’re owed while awaiting a few other teams to sort their affairs before they give you serious consideration. [...]