Last year, in the 2009 playoffs. Yao Ming and Dikembe Mutombo went down. Their front line consisted of Luis Scola, Landry and Chuck Hayes. Yet, despite lacking 14-15 feet of bodies... they pushed the Lakers to seven games, more than the Nuggets (full strength) and Magic (who beat the Cavs who were at full strength).

It's only been a few games... but this season the Lakers have played without Pau Gasol and played without Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol for 2 games. Yet, most the credit has been going to Kobe for carrying the offensive load.. and rightly so. However, if one looks at Kobe's numbers OTHER than scoring.. he has not done much. In fact, if one looks at Lamar Odom's numbers in the Grizzlies game, he fouled out, had three points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. All subpar numbers for Lamar (especially since he is starting). Lamar also had subpar numbers as a starter against the Hornets having 7 pts, 9 rebounds and only six assists. Yet, on the defensive end (Laker fans) are rewarded with tacos each night. DJ Mbenga, Powell and even Luke Walton were able to hold their own as the front lineup. How I ask?

Well the title of the Article gives it away. The reason the Lakers were able to win, hold on, play defense, get rebounds is RON "pitbull" Artest. He led the Lakers in assists both games. He had 8 and 7 rebounds both games... but if one watched the game... many of Lamar or DJ's rebounds were due to Ron Artest's SOLID boxing out. Just like the Rockets... who played with Scola, Hayes and Landry... the Lakers are doing surprisingly well in two games with DJ, Josh and even Walton. Yes, Lamar.. you get some credit (but you ARE playing subpar).

I once wrote that Ron Artest was going to make the Lakers a lot tougher. DJ, Josh and Luke holding their own against Okafor and West? I would never have guessed. DJ, Josh and Luke holding their own against Randolph and Marc Gasol? I too would never have guessed just like I would never have guessed Scola, Landry and Hayes could have withstood Gasol, Odom and Bynum. Ron Artest is a multi-faceted player on both the defensive and offensive end. Him being there allows players to play to their strengths, grab more rebounds (due to his boxing out), play better defense and not only create his own shot but set up other Lakers with his team leading assists. If Trevor Ariza was still part of the Lakers... I'm sure he could "score" 20 or so in a game and pick up some of the scoring load. However to enable the Laker bigs to play better defensively and offensively? I doubt it. Can Trevor Ariza shut down Joe Johnson the way Ron Artest did? Maybe.

So for the year 2009-2010... the numbers may never support it for Ariza finally gets to throw up thrice the shots he would if he were in LA... but Ron Artest > Trevor Ariza.

I can only imagine Ron Artest's effect on the Lakers' Bynum and Gasol....

Lakers, Magic, Celtics, Cavaliers, Spurs, Nuggets, Blazers, Hornets, Jazz

After the dust of free agency is beginning to clear... these are the teams that "matter in approximated" ranking. I wrote down the list of every single team's lineups (players that matter) and boy are they stacked. In terms of winning a championship... other teams do not have a chance. The rich got richer and the poor will have to hope on 'player developments' such as Griffin or Durant.

Lakers: This team is so stacked the only thing that can ruin their championship aspirations are injuries.

PG: Fisher, Farmar, Brown

SG: Bryant, Vujacic

SF: Artest, Walton

PF: Gasol, Odom

C: Bynum

Magic: A more "traditional" team, however, despite the many changes what would really push this team to the top is a healthy Jameer and improved free throws by Howard.

PG: Nelson

SG: Carter, Pietrus

SF: Lewis, Barnes

PF: Bass, Anderson

C: Howard, Gortat

Cavaliers: Sure, Shaq increased the team's size, gives them a low-post scorer, clogs the lanes and is a weak screen and roll defender, a small plus. However, what really augments this team are the 2 athletic wing additions in Parker and Moon. Williams and West will no longer be 'abused.'

PG: Williams, West

SG: Parker, Gibson

SF: James, Moon

PF: Varejao, Smith

C: O'Neal, Ilgauskas

Spurs: Jefferson and McDyess shall help shore the team when injuries ensue. Their additions will not lead to a title... if Manu and co. can stay healthy... this team is a threat to all.

PG: Parker, Hill

SG: Mason, Ginobili

SF: Jefferson, Finley

PF: Duncan, Bonner

C: McDyess

Nuggets: The only team that has not made major improvements over the summer. The only thing that can push them to the top is a team 'drive' and Smith's improvement to consistency both offensively and defensively.

PG: Billups, Lawson

SG: Smith, Afflalo

SF: Anthony, Kleiza

PF: Martin, Balkman

C: Nene, Andersen

Blazers: This team is too stacked... during the duration of the year, the backcourt needs to thin to shore up Aldridge. Because they are so young, Roy, Batum, Aldridge, Oden and Fernandez will improve. Oh yeah, and Webster?

PG: Miller, Blake, Bayless

SG: Roy, Fernandez

SF: Batum, Outlaw, Webster

PF: Aldridge

C: Oden, Pryzbilla

Hornets: Okafor is far better than the offensively inept and injury prone Chandler. If West can stay healthy... for now they are 'dark horse' threats since we can be certain Okafor's 'effectivity' shall be under high scrutiny and probably improved with the best PG in the league dishing to him.

PG: Paul, Collison

SG: Butler, Peterson

SF: Stojakovic, Posey

PF: West, Diogu

C: Okafor

Jazz: A bit injury marred... however, even if this team is healthy...  this team does not have the capability to win the championship. They will receive a first-round exit, which is scary considering that they were Western Conference finalists not too long ago. This team would be the fourth best team in the East.

PG: Williams, Price

SG: Brewer, Korver

SF: Miles, Kirilenko, Harpring

PF: Boozer, Millsap

C: Okur

Assuming Lamar and Lakers are dead... here are some sample ideas for the Lakers                                                                   

Leon Powe: Let us imagine for a bit. Yes, at the 4, he is undersized (like Paul millsap) but plays bigger than his size. He is also lacking in skill set (unlike Lamar). However, he is definitely a toughness upgrade over Lamar Odom. He is the poor man's version of Paul Millsap. However,  Leon Powe's value is not questioned indeed. The Boston Celtics just slapped him by not offering him a contract (due to Rasheed). . what better way for him to slap the Celtics back and help give a championship to the "Lakers" who have the opportunity to give him trust despite his injury. Returning to California, playing as the third man... he will be allowed to be a "Rockets" type of tough defensive havoc the Lakers can utilize along with Ron Artest. He is definitely an upgrade over Powell and Mbenga... and IF health allows for him to return to playing an efficient 18 minutes a game... this will allow Andrew Bynum to develop into a force that he should be. According to 82games.com... Leon Powe can do an efficient job that he can outplay the average 4s and 5s he plays on the court. Also... according to basketball reference.com... Leon Powe won only 2 less games than Lamar Odom (despite playing far fewer minutes). Teams will be scared to sign him for his injury... but we live in the modern world... and Leon Powe can recover from his injury just as hundreds have before him. We Laker fans remember how Leon Powe punked, trashed and outmuscled Lamar and the Lakers. He can join us for 2 million....

All the other names from Joel Anthony, Joe Smith, Rasho Nesterovic, Kwame Brown... ie just a bunch of scrappy one dimensional, slightly injured veterans who can help shore the depth... but at this stage... they DO NOT help teams win... they are players who help teams barely 'survive' as Laker starters take a break. These options are small upgrades over Powell and Mbenga and these players deserve no more than 2 million dollars a year... but they help indeed.

Dream players (now that Odom's gone) whom would be awesome... but doubtful

Drew Gooden (more realistic) being that he's fallen far from what his 'draft pick's worth. If he is willing to take a paycut and be the number 3 man here in LA rather than San Antonio... then he shall provide 20 solid minutes as a backup.

So let's be real.. the remaining big men... are either too good/selfish for 2 million dollars a year OR not good enough to help Lakers win games. Leon Powe (though a risk) has proven himself to be a capable backup bigman.

Reminder... even with Garnett down... the Celtics did well with Powe to win 62 games. That is VERY good. In fact...  the Celtics minus Powe... took the Magic to 7 games!! If Leon Powe played the Celtics would have beaten the Magic The Celtics HAD to use Mikki Moore and Brian Scalabrine? (PATHETIC).

Boston Celtics 80s (Kevin McHale and Larry Bird) 

Detroit Bad Boys of the 80s, (Bill Laimbeer, Dennis Rodman, Joe Dumars)

Detroit Bad Boys II of the 00s (Ben, Rasheed Wallace, Billups and Tayshaun)

Boston Celtics 2008 (Kevin Garnett, Kendrick Perkins, Leon Powe, James Posey and Paul Pierce)

San Antonio Spurs (Robert Horry's fist to Nash, Kurt Thomas, Bruce Bowen and Manu Ginobili)

Indiana Pacers (Ron Artest and Jermaine O'Neal)

Houston Rockets 2009 (Ron Artest, Shane Battier, Luis Scola, Carl Landry)

Bulls 90s (Jordan, Pippen and Rodman)

Lakers 2009 (Kobe, Fisher, Pau and Lamar)

Every one of those teams mentioned above is despised by most of the country (except for fans within their own state/city). You can say all you want about them... however, a common denominator about all of them is that they ARE all winners and even the Artest teams may be considered "overachievers." But why?

The Boston Celtics of the 80s were talented. However, the Lakers of the 80s were much more talented and can use an all out offensive barrage of finesse and skills to easily overwhelm their opponents. How did the Celtics manage to beat them? The Kevin McHale Clothesline epitomizes many of their tough and dirty plays. You can hate them, but they are successful.

The Phoenix Suns could have easily been champions if it wasn't for tough and dirty plays (epitomized by Robert Horry's fist to Steve Nash's face). Yes, it is dirty... but guess what? That Phoenix Suns team shall be forgotten over the many many years.

Ron Artest's teams in Indiana and Houston were not very talented. Yet, they were semi-successful. Ron, Shane, Landry and Scola scared the Lakers didn't they? Better than Tracy could have dreamed even if all those numbers and statistics "back" him up. Sadly.. Tracy is lacking a spine, and a back... a back of toughness and grit.

Rodman... another example of a 'bad boy'... but one cannot argue his value to the Pistons and the Bulls. 

Ariza even admits that the play that changed the Lakers was the Derek Fisher shoulder to Luis Scola. The Lakers relied on their talent throughout the playoffs and the Rockets minus Yao Ming managed to make it close? It was embarrassing for all Laker fans. that shoulder... showed the Rockets that yes... we want it more.

Artest's numbers aren't "great." But let's play a game... let's switch Artest with Hedo.. can the Rockets go to 7 against LA? NO. Switch with Durant or Carmelo... ? NO and NO. I will even go to say that if one switches Lebron with Artest... that the Rockets cannot extend the Lakers to 7 games. Lebron would add loads of individual talent, defense and camaraderie but what he does not do is instill a toughness and a will into every single one of his teammates. Lebron couldn't beat the Magic who couldn't even go to 6 against LA. Ron Artest just being on the Rockets team made every player on the Rockets roster TOUGH mentally and willfully. Scola, Landry, Battier elevated their toughness to push around much bigger Laker bigs.

Ron Artest said that he shall "Hoodalize" the Lakers. Go ahead laugh. LOLTSHandrollingonthefloor.  We misunderstand him. What he means is that JUST like Kobe he shall infuse his DNA into the players as well. Kobe infused a competitive drive. Artest will instill a toughness, a bad boy into every single one of the Lakers. Trevor Ariza does not have a badboy in him. He shall not complain, he shall not fight, he shall not shove and he will let the officials do whatever they please. He is a good boy player and will do his best to shadow his opponents hoping for opportunities. Artest doesn't "shadow" he grabs, pushes, shoves and will make you sweat to obtain ideal position. Carmelo learned this through Chauncey... and he is better. Yes there are technicals, yes there are ejections... but along with those comes wins and in the end that's all that matters.

How does this apply with the current situation? Rasheed to the Celtics. A lineup that boasts Perkins, Garnett, Wallace, Pierce, Allen, Rondo AND House. That is a team of bad boys and that addition just made the Celtics a whole level stronger. Their will to win just rose again. Orlando SHALL sweat. It was not long ago where Rasheed and the Pistons called Dwight and the Magic "soft." Adding HIM to a team that made the Lakers seem soft in 2008? With this in mind... the Ron Artest pick up seems a lot smarter now doesn't it? It gives Laker fans a chance to breathe a little better because even if we did get tougher this year with the embarrassing 2008 finals fiasco.. we shall get tougher again. What is toughness? Toughness allows teams to overcome numbers, to overcome talent and to overcome expectations. Toughness allows teams to overachieve. This is why Ron Artest scared the Lakers despite the fact he shot 'terribly.' This is why an old and aging Spurs were able to whoop the fun, offensive juggernaut of the Suns.

There is no "value" to toughness. There are the +/- stats and those will not show Ron Artest's value. When he's off the court... his team's still tough. When he's on the court his team is still tough. Look at values like Win Score and PER and it does not make sense on how the Rockets fared better against the Lakers than Denver and Orlando. Perhaps the Lakers did take their game to another level. In fact they did... they weren't pushed around by the athletic bigs of the Nuggets or the man-beast Dwight. They became a little bit like the Rockets and Ron Artest.

What will Ron do to Bynum? What will Ron do to Gasol? What will Ron do to Odom? What will Ron do to everyone else? That's right.. the Lakers shall be the talented team we were last year... PLUS the bad boy toughness of the Houston Rockets.

Boston, I hope you stay healthy for 2010. So that we can duke it out in an all out war of wills and wits. May the best team win....

cough: Lakers

What does Hedo contribute to the Orlando Magic better that Vince Carter cannot? When Boston and LA defenses overload the Orlando Magic... Hedo's size, passing ability neutralizes this defensive strategy and allows him to pass/swing the ball to an open man quite easily. If teams do not overload, he has the ability to get into the lane and produce a high percentage shot. This is pretty much the reason why Hedo Turkoglu becomes a great mismatch for teams especially during the fourth quarter.

Compared to Hedo, Vince Carter is more athletic, faster, a better shooter, passes better and can even excel shutting his opponent down as evidenced by his ability to shut down Kobe Bryant. When motivated Vince Carter can become an excellent defender. Orlando did best on slowing down Kobe Bryant. Vince Carter shall only improve their defenses against other two guards in the league. Sure, Vince Carter makes the Magic a more 'traditional' team... and he must rely on his athletic and ball handling ability to create his own shots. Like Kobe, Hedo Turkoglu has the ability to be one of the best defenders and has to pick his spots, play smart and save energy to make clutch plays down the stretch.

Yes, Vince Carter has long been considered a much greater talent than Hedo Turkoglu and joining the talented Magic will and shall allow him to focus on defense, making smarter decisions with the ball and allow himself to create higher percentage shots. Vince Carter has been the focal point of defense in Toronto and New Jersey. Playing in Orlando shall give him the space and relieved pressure to produce efficiently.

So, back to my point... Orlando loses the mismatch they once had... but they gain one of the league's most talented swingmen. His lack of great teammates can allow us to forget how great a talent he truly is. Due to his consistency and defense, he has always been a better player than Jason Richardson, Tracy McGrady, Richard Hamilton, the current Ray Allen and an injury prone Manu Ginobili. .

The only 2 guards who are better than he are in this order... Dwyane Wade, Kobe Bryant and Brandon Roy. Joe Johnson only has a 'slight' edge over Vince. The Magic are obtaining the 5th best 2 guard in the NBA. Hedo Turkoglu? Clearly NOT the 5th best player at the 3. He is dwarfed by Lebron, Carmelo, Durant, Granger, Iguodala and Pierce. At "best" he is the 7th best Small Forward in the league. Also, if he traded roles with Ron Artest... I highly doubt Hedo Turkoglu can lead the Rockets to 7 games against the Lakers sans Yao Ming. He couldn't even lead the Magic to 6 against the Lakers. Hence... he is the 8th best small forward in the league.

Hedo Turkoglu will be quickly forgotten with Vince Carter onboard. Orlando's only true threat is their thinning depth (which can easily be fixed with a few NBA salary exceptions) and health issues. Other than that, they are still clearly better than the Cleveland Cavaliers (plus Shaq). Since Jameer Nelson shall be a force to be reckoned with, Dwight shall improve his protection of the ball and hopefully his free throws, and like Lamar... Rasheed shall not disappear in clutch situations, then again he has Jameer and Vince who can better create shots with their ball handling skills and just needs to be open. 

All these combined, barring a blockbuster trade or major free agent pickups by Cleveland or Boston. Orlando shall return to the finals once again.

In response to "Does Turkoglu's Switcharoo Change Things?"

If one is to closely follow the 2009 free agent class, it is obvious that the first names being plucked off the board are the most talented ones. For example: Turkoglu, Artest, Gordon, Villanueva and Ariza.

The next to follow shall be Odom, Kidd, A.Miller, Lee, Millsap, Felton, Rasheed and McDyess

Well, gee wiz, mister that is an obvious.  It is pretty much like a very very complicated version of schoolyard kickball where captains pick talents from the best to least. In this case, the most talented players or key role players shall be signed first. It is a domino effect... every time a free agent is picked up and signed... the free agent market changes, just like in Chess... but with thirty teams constantly having to re-evaluate their plans in response to opposing teams. Teams are fighting to one-up the other. Of course... this also has many variations of NBA rules and rights.

Players like Nate, Zaza, Kleiza and Wafer will have to wait and play this free agent game much longer than most. The longer they wait.. the longer they risk pulling a Varejao or a Gordon. This summer teams are "limited" to paying NBA players "measly" millions as evidenced by Phil Jackson saying in a recent interview that in 2008-2009 "28 of 30 NBA teams lost money."

It is great to be the cream of the crop where greed is rewarded by good. However, for most players this summer.. be happy with what you get because teams do not have much lee-way to do what they so desire especially with the biggest talents coming off the books in 2010.

The interesting part about the Ron Artest pick up is that now that the Lakers have a legitimate three and the possible improvements of Bynum and Farmar/Brown... the question may be asked, do the Lakers need Lamar Odom? I am quite certain that Mitch and Jerry have spoken about the possibilities of NOT having Lamar Odom now that they have picked up Ron Artest.

Assuming of course that is IF Lakers are healthy in the playoffs and Bynum returns to semi-dominance... the answer is no. However, once again those are gigantic IFs. The Lakers won this year because when Bynum went down Odom picked up the slack. People forget Kobe played injured, Farmar and Vujacic were injured as well. With Pau playing in Spain this summer, Bynum being twice injured, Odom, Artest and Kobe climbing up in years... injuries are bound to happen. I am almost certain that they shall have an injury amongst their key players.. look at San Antonio, Boston, New Orleans, Houston AND Orlando.

That left Denver and Cleveland as the only healthy legitimate shots to win the championship. Yes, Lamar Odom's value is rated by his high talent level, vast skills, his length, energy, defense, basketball IQ and friendship to Ron Artest. He is a mismatch and a nightmare for opposing teams.

However, his true value will be measured by how the Lakers deal under injuries. Odom's play reduces the chances of injury amongst the team. Odom's play will also alleviate transitions through injuries such that the Lakers were able to beat Boston and Cleveland on the road minus Andrew Bynum. And this goes vice versa for Odom being injured.Sorry Laker fans, I do not intend to "jinx" the Lakers, however, to play at such a high level of basketball without injuries is nearly impossible for teams nowadays.

If the Lakers allow Lamar Odom to go... they are so far over the cap that they shall need to use another and much lower exception to acquire a semi-decent talent to replace him. Since teams can match their own free agents cent for cent.... it is highly doubtful the Lakers can receive a fraction of the services of a gamechanger like Lamar Odom. If they let Lamar go... they need to hope for a veteran like PJ Brown to take an exception.

So, fans let us blog, write, text, tweet and influence as much as we can to convince Laker management and even convince Lamar Odom to re-sign with the Lakers. Our collective votes and voices can and will be heard by newspaper editors and writers.

Lotsa talk about Rasheed to Boston, Cleveland and Orlando.

Since Robert Horry was still serviceable, San Antonio has been in need of a big man to back up Tim Duncan.

Kurt Thomas, Fabricio Oberto, Matt Bonner... have all done a terrific job. Much better than 99% of people (including myself) can ever dream of. However, as shown in big games or the playoffs... their play is lacking.

Yes, the addition of Richard Jefferson fills a void left by the injury prone Manu Ginobili. However, one void still remains to be filled and that is at the 4 or 5.

Rasheed Wallace is skillful enough to play as a 4 or 5. To place him with Tim Duncan will create nightmares for the league and will finally allow Gregg Popovich to get over his jealousy of the Laker acquisition Pau Gasol. All in all the Spurs will get worse with Tim Duncan due to age, get worse due to loss of depth. However, they will and shall improve with Tony Parker's improvement, the acquisition of Richard Jefferson and the potential gains of Manu Ginobili. Is this enough to win? Even with a healthy Manu, it is 'possible' that they may win the championship... but in all reality... they will NOT win the championship.

Rasheed is the difference. It is no secret that since the Lakers were open and embraced Ron Artest which caused him to turn down money to joining LA. San Antonio has been open about its liking to Rasheed Wallace's game. If he joins the same reason Ron Artest joined LA. Rasheed can and will make the difference.

Tradition helps immortalize a person's legend. Even role players are immortalized through tradition.

For example, Derek Fisher, Robert Horry, Rick Fox, Brian Shaw, AC Green, Mychal Thompson, Byron Scott, Kurt Rambis, Gail Goodrich, Happy Hairston and many many more. Trevor could have gained that stardom as a role player in LA but now may lose it in his risk to 'be respected' or gain a 'larger role.'

Why do the Lakers have this tradition? Because the Lakers are very fortunate to mention in one sentence... "George Mikan, Elgin Baylor, Jerry West, Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, James Worthy, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O'Neal, Pau Gasol, Pat Riley and Phil Jackson."

Lamar Odom, Andrew Bynum and now Ron Artest shall join the tradition that is The Lakers. They shall be forever remembered in Laker lore. They shall have fans immortalize them through Hollywood, Youtube, and through merchandise.

Ron Artest's youtube videos are more negative than they are positive. They portray him as a beast or as a monster who is incapable of greatness and fan acceptance. However, in LA, his 'warrior like' attitude shall be appreciated. His "beast" shall be controlled in the Laker system and correctly released to further Laker success such that soon enough... there shall be more videos of him being the the competitive, strong and tough WINNER that he is.

He has proven himself in Indiana (sans the incident). Sacramento has fallen far without him. And now he has done what Yao and Tracy could not do. Taking that further... it is because of Ron Artest and his seven games that the Lakers gained the toughness necessary to dispatch Denver in 6 and Orlando in 5. It is very sad that his accomplishments lack the applause he so deserves. It is sad that the accomplishments in Houston lacks outrage Laker fans dole out due to our loss of Trevor Ariza. With this in mind, as Ron Artest has stated yes he has gained money and yes, Ron Artest has received the Defensive Player of the Year award. However, by joining the Lakers, Ron Artest will gain what he always lacked.

Respect, Love and Immortality. He shall gain them all through championships and the brotherhood of the Laker Tradition.