After a week of digesting the Lakers latest move, I’ve come to this conclusion: The team is better than a year ago and in great position to repeat as World Champions….
I’ve always been a big fan of Ron Artest, despite his sometimes wacky behavior, because it’s not everyday you can find a great defender who is also a 20 ppg scorer….
So to add him to the roster, at the bargain basement price of $6M per year, is nothing but a win-win for the organization….
As for Trevor Ariza, he needs to look deep into his soul and do the obvious; fire his agent. Because David Lee screwed up this negotiation about as badly as possible….
Here’s his quote regarding his client and the Lakers from last week: “All we’re looking for is a little appreciation for what Trevor has done,” Lee said Wednesday. “I don’t think they believe Trevor is serious about leaving, and that’s too bad. I didn’t think we’d be in this situation. I am disappointed and surprised by what I thought would be some feelings for the people who have given you everything they’ve got.”….
Reaction: In this market and this economy, the mid-level exception of $5.8M per year was about the best Trevor was going to do. So going into Mitch Kupchack’s office with an attitude and confronting him was poor strategy, to say the least. To say the most, Ariza should s***-can him….
Mitch played this thing beautifully, calling Lee’s bluff and forcing them to walk away. Meanwhile, Kupchack had Artest in his hip pocket and closed the deal….
Negotiating doesn’t get much better than that: Hardball the agent, call his bluff and then bring in a better player for the same price when the fool postures and threatens to sign with another team….
Now, Ariza is going to be stuck playing in Houston for the same price the Lakers offered. Talk about a kick in the groin….
I like Trevor a lot and wanted him to return, but Artest is a better player and the Lakers didn’t have much choice but to let him walk, based on the behavior of his agent. Hopefully, Trevor will come to his senses and do two things: 1) Fire his agent and 2) Go crawling back to the Lakers and re-sign….
On Saturday morning, I saw the single greatest achievement in sports history. Yes, I’ve seen a lot of great performances, but nothing comes close to Joey Chestnut devouring a staggering 68 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes during the Nathan’s Fourth of July hot dog eating contest in Coney Island….
And what a legendary battle it was, as Chestnut and his rival, six time champion Takeru, “The Tsunami” Kobayashi, both shattered the world record of 59 dogs, set last year by Chestnut and Kobayashi….
Last year, they finished tied at 59 and had to go to an Eat Off, where Chestnut put down 5 and the Tsunami 4.5. It was an epic battle and the single best sporting event I’ve ever seen….
But Saturday topped it, as Chestnut put down 68 to Takeru’s 65. What a battle, as the world record fel and both of them fought and scratched to the last second….
Sports does not get any better….
These two now form the greatest rivalry in sports and are this era’s equivalent to Ali-Frazier….
I look forward to the Nathan’s contest every year and in my book this has surpassed the Super Bowl. I’d watch this thing seven days a week over the NFL Championship….
So hats off to both Chestnut and Kobayashi, who epitomize what sports are all about….
