I'd take a million less and keep on winning as opposed to going to Portland or Toronto and make a couple million more to lose yearly. I really really hate losing though.

 

You mean the same Portland team that was the #4 seed in the Mighty West? You mean the same Portland team was went 54-28 last season? In my opinion, Portland has one of the best young rosters in all of the NBA. Players such as Brandon Roy, LeMarcus Aldridge, Travis Outlaw, Greg Oden (cringe), and I think Nicolas Batum and Jarryd Bayless are waiting to break out. If you add Hedo to Portland, they will have yet another great year.

You mean the same Portland team that was the #4 seed in the Mighty West? You mean the same Portland team was went 54-28 last season? In my opinion, Portland has one of the best young rosters in all of the NBA. Players such as Brandon Roy, LeMarcus Aldridge, Travis Outlaw, Greg Oden (cringe), and I think Nicolas Batum and Jarryd Bayless are waiting to break out. If you add Hedo to Portland, they will have yet another great year.

 

You mean leave the same Laker team that just won a championship and will likely return everyone except for him?

 

Denver had a great year, but they didn't win it all. I am the kind of person that doesn't count moral victories as success. I hate losing. I wish more pro athletes hated losing like I do.

 

Lebron hates losing like I do(I won't shake your hand either). Cleveland had a better year than Portland, but it wasn't great enough, now was it? Ask LeBron how he felt about his year.

 

I'd easily take less money to stay in a championship winning situation than to take more money and get the 4th seed. A 4th seed that got beat by the 5th seed in the 1st round of the playoffs for that matter.

Ron Artest says on his twitter, "I just signed with the Knicks for 12 milion, Thanks Donnie Walsh!!!"

 

I dont know if that is true, but if it is ill feel cool for spotting it.

 

Cav hopefully?

You mean leave the same Laker team that just won a championship and will likely return everyone except for him?

 

Denver had a great year, but they didn't win it all. I am the kind of person that doesn't count moral victories as success. I hate losing. I wish more pro athletes hated losing like I do.

 

Lebron hates losing like I do(I won't shake your hand either). Cleveland had a better year than Portland, but it wasn't great enough, now was it? Ask LeBron how he felt about his year.

 

I'd easily take less money to stay in a championship winning situation than to take more money and get the 4th seed. A 4th seed that got beat by the 5th seed in the 1st round of the playoffs for that matter.

 

 

Not once did I mention anything about the Lakers. The Lakers had a great season, but who's to say they are a lock for next year? I would say there are a number teams that you can flock to that would put you in a championship winning situation.

There is no way possible I would take less money if I were Ariza. He hasn't got a huge pay day yet...he's not Kobe Bryant making $23 million a season. I'd take every penny I could get. Basketball careers don't last forever and he has to get it while he can...taking less would be crazy.

Not once did I mention anything about the Lakers. The Lakers had a great season, but who's to say they are a lock for next year? I would say there are a number teams that you can flock to that would put you in a championship winning situation.

 

The Lakers will be one of the top 4 teams in the NBA next year, with or without Ariza. To not believe that statement tells me you don't follow the NBA closely enough.

 

Portland and Toronto have absolutely NO CHANCE at winning the NBA championship next year.

 

I am a Laker fan and I hope Ariza doesn't leave, but if he does, I hope the Lakers re-sign Odom and if they do I feel as good about the chances to repeat whether Ariza is there or not.

 

Me personally, if I was an NBA player, making millions per year for playing basketball, I would take less money to play on a team that has a legitimate shot at winning the championship, not a legitimate shot on playing on a team that will simply make the playoffs.

 

Winning makes me happy, not money.......

Not once did I mention anything about the Lakers. The Lakers had a great season, but who's to say they are a lock for next year? I would say there are a number teams that you can flock to that would put you in a championship winning situation.

 

You didn't mention the Lakers, but I was discussing Ariza, who played for the Lakers and why he shouldn't leave the Lakers for the lovable losers that the Trail Blazers are. The Blazers are at best a playoff team and that's it.

 

I'll take a million less and play for the Lakers who will more than likely be in the Western Conference Finals.

There is no way possible I would take less money if I were Ariza. He hasn't got a huge pay day yet...he's not Kobe Bryant making $23 million a season. I'd take every penny I could get. Basketball careers don't last forever and he has to get it while he can...taking less would be crazy.

 

Ariza doesn't deserve more than 7 million per year. He had a great postseason, but his regular season was average at best. He didn't average double figures in any category except for minutes. Hardly worth a huge payday in my eyes.

 

Anyone who acts like a human being can't feed his family and survive off of 5.6 million a year is delusional. Period. There isn't any point in debating that. I value winning over money. Everybody is different.

Ariza doesn't deserve more than 7 million per year. He had a great postseason, but his regular season was average at best. He didn't average double figures in any category except for minutes. Hardly worth a huge payday in my eyes.

 

Anyone who acts like a human being can't feed his family and survive off of 5.6 million a year is delusional. Period. There isn't any point in debating that. I value winning over money. Everybody is different.

 

$5.6 million a year is a lot. But he won't be making $5.6 million a year for the rest of his life. Basketball careers aren't that long.

 

Good for you if you value winning over money. I don't. I'd love to win while making money, but if it came down to it and I was a middle of the road player like Ariza...I'd take every penny I could get.

 

When it comes to Kobe, or Lebron...who are set for life...yeah I can understand them not worrying about the money aspect as much. But for a guy who might average $4-5 million a year...I don't blame him one bit for wanting as much money as possible.

You didn't mention the Lakers, but I was discussing Ariza, who played for the Lakers and why he shouldn't leave the Lakers for the lovable losers that the Trail Blazers are. The Blazers are at best a playoff team and that's it.

 

I'll take a million less and play for the Lakers who will more than likely be in the Western Conference Finals.

 

Ariza is what? 24? In two years time, it looks like the Blazers could end up as one of the best teams in the NBA. Brandon Roy looks like he will be one of the best wing players in the league for a long time, Lamarcus Aldridge is one of the best young bigs in the league, Oden is oft-injured but talented, Fernadez looks like the real deal. So I don't buy that he would be worse off. Maybe next year, but for his career, no way. Wasn't everyone saying that this was Kobe's last shot at a title a few weeks ago? I don't buy that, but the Lakers will most likely not be a top notch title contender for the remainder of Ariza's career. Remember those lovable losers were the #3 seed in the West.

Pistons and Boozer ruined my off-season. When the Pistons decided that they would end up lowering the offer they were going to make to Boozer, it made it easy for him to stay in his contract. Naturally, they low-balled Charlie Vill's to 7 million a year, which is more than anyone else could pay him, and the Cavs had no shot.

And it was a dumb move. What we are leaning this offseason is that you do not want to be a free agent this season, only 4 teams have money, and really only the Pistons and Blazers are worth playing for. CV should have taken a one year deal, Cavs or not, and played the market next year, if he wanted a big pay day. A big season with LBJ and Co., and he would have made around 9-12 million per, IMO.

Why should he worry about winning anymore? He's got a championship. I'd go get some money. As much as I could...

I'm not sure what your point is I said I don't blame him.

There is no way possible I would take less money if I were Ariza. He hasn't got a huge pay day yet...he's not Kobe Bryant making $23 million a season. I'd take every penny I could get. Basketball careers don't last forever and he has to get it while he can...taking less would be crazy.

Right now he is considering taking the same.

Then I guess he just wants out of L.A...

 

It's his decision, I don't really care one way or the other what he does.

Ariza is what? 24? In two years time, it looks like the Blazers could end up as one of the best teams in the NBA. Brandon Roy looks like he will be one of the best wing players in the league for a long time, Lamarcus Aldridge is one of the best young bigs in the league, Oden is oft-injured but talented, Fernadez looks like the real deal. So I don't buy that he would be worse off. Maybe next year, but for his career, no way. Wasn't everyone saying that this was Kobe's last shot at a title a few weeks ago? I don't buy that, but the Lakers will most likely not be a top notch title contender for the remainder of Ariza's career. Remember those lovable losers were the #3 seed in the West.

 

 

Exactly right, which is why I said Ariza going to Portland would not be a bad move at all on his part. And to say that a team that played so well last year has NO CHANCE at winning the championship is absurd! Orlando finished 1 game better than Portland and made it to the championship. Portland WILL be in the hunt for the championship for many years to come.