Ron Artest routinely had trouble defending Kobe Bryant during those heated Kings-Lakers meetings, especially when the Lakers superstar initiated his offense on the perimeter and utilized his quickness against his stronger, slower opponent. But based on numerous reports within the past few hours, Artest plans leave the Houston Rockets and sign a three-year deal worth approximately $18 million with his favorite L.A.team. For all the angst Artest experienced in the years preceding his free agency - remember, he was upset when the Kings refused to offer him an extension last summer - the situation couldn't have worked out any better. He will live in L.A., where he spends his offseasons anyway, and gets to play for the best team in the league. Can't imagine he has any complaints.
Interestingly, my sources in Houston are telling me that the Rockets' desire to re-sign Artest waned dramatically when it was learned that both Tracy McGrady (knee) and Yao Ming (fractured foot) will be sidelined with injuries for much of next season. Rockets officials viewed Artest as a second or third star - a complementary star to Yao and McGrady on a contender - but feared that he could become a disruptive force on a team that is rebuilding or, at the least, missing its two most dominant performers.
The fact that Artest was lobbied hard by Lamar Odom tells you that the Lakers have every intention of re-signing their versatile forward, and in essence, valued his talents over those of fellow free agent Trevor Ariza ... who is planning to sign with the Rockets.
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