It's Ron Artest, Not Ron Rodman

As has been talked about limitless over the last day or two, Ron Artest is now a Laker, and Ariza has been escorted to the backdoor by Mitch Kupchak. While Ariza did come through for Los Lakers time and time again, he wasn't worth losing Odom over. If they couldn't keep both, it seems Odom's finally gotten his due and they were dead set on keeping him on board. Artest came, happily, for the same contract Ariza could have gotten.

Bitter-sweet? You could say that. L.A. fans wanted the whole team back, and Ariza had quickly become a favorite, but once things went sour, it was time to let go of a player who made his name being a team mate of Kobe Bryant.

Enter Ron Artest.

Casual fans and unknowing reporters will state that Kobe and Artest had issues. Anyone who watched that, and anyone who follows this sport, knows that was nothing personal. It was two of the games biggest competitors clashing, as you would hope they would. They loved it, the fans loved it, the ref's weren't very happy. It was grimey, physical basketball that was so glorified in the 80s and early 90s. When the confrontation between Artest and Kobe would be common, and Lebron's lack of handshakes and hugs would be cheered, not questioned.

Competition, pure and simple.

Artest is in Los Angeles to win. Not a game. Not a fight. A ring. Ron Artest the nut-case is more myth than reality. If Auburn never happens, this most likely wouldn't be a conversation. But Auburn happened so here we are. What should be getting talked about are the two lines right below this.

Ariza averaged 8.9 points, 4.3 boards, 1.8 assists, per game throughout the regular season.

Artest averaged 17.1 points, 5.2 boards, and 3.3 assists per game throughout the regular season.

Artest put up great numbers, on a team missing one of it's big three for the majority of the season. He didn't have any big outbursts, just played his game, and did whatever he could to win. Do you think the Rockets would have made it to the Western Semi's without Artest, let alone take the Lakers to 7? Me neither.

Ron respects Kobe and Phil, and what the team is about. He has history with Lamar Odom (all signs point to Odom returning, but nothings been announced). He wants a ring. Ron will stay in line and become double the player Ariza was to the Lakers, no questions asked. The fact that Artest wont get 30 dropped on him, almost ever, means Kobe can mellow out a bit more on the defensive end. Save some of that wear and tear for the offensive end and facilitating the team.

It might open up Kobe defensively more than before, even. Kobe loves roaming, and if Artest is guarding their biggest threat, Kobe can do that a bit more freely. Artest will bring a physical, bold, defensive presence that will be a key to the Lakers turning this into a dynasty. And, his 3 ball is better than Arizas, as well as his ability to finish at the rim. Overall, a more complete offensive and defensive skill set is at his disposal.

Dennis Rodman was such a wild wrecking ball of madness, and still is. However, to compare Ron Artest to being Dennis Rodman, seems a bit much. While there are tons of arguments anyone could make about this, two things really stand out and seem glaring. First, Ron Artest is in no way half as distracting as Dennis Rodman was throughout his career, especially towards the end. Second, Artest has no rings. Rodman already had 2 with the Pistons, he had been there. Ron has not.

Ron isn't in LA to argue with coaches and be -that guy- anymore. He wants to shed all of that away with an NBA title. He also wants to market himself as a celebrity. Ron's becoming more and more involved with the music business, and being in LA will be a great way for him to continue to develop that. Artest has made a pretty big following over the last year with his video blogs and lately his twitter. There's no reason in the world he would want to jeopardize that. Winning a ring makes him a big name in Los Angeles, and if this does in fact turn into a multiple ring squad, perhaps NBA history.

Cant help but imagine Kobe doing one of those clinched victory fists when he found out Artest was going to be on his team next time they're on the court together. I did.