I was all set to write a column wondering aloud why so many people were losing their minds over the prospect of losing our 4th best player as Laker fans.  But then today happened.  Moot point.  Artest is here. 

But really, what was all the fuss over Ariza?  Yes, I understand that he was a key piece to the Lakers' success this past season, but it's not like he was Kobe, Gasol, or even Odom.  Ariza was a great defender who figured out how to hit an open jumper in the playoffs.  Can he create his own shot?  Does he have a midrange game?  Who knows, but I do know that a guy with Ariza's skill set at 24 years old is not worth more than the Lakers were offering and not worth the grief that so many Lakers fans were experiencing at the thought of losing him.  I don't really blame Ariza.  He knows that there's a GM out there dumb enough to give him $7 million plus so why not take it, but if he's your 2nd or 3rd best player, you're not winning more than half of your games.

Again, now that Artest is a Laker, it's all a moot point.  Everyone who was fretting now realizes how ridiculous his worries really were.  The Lakers lose maybe a hair of defensive ability on the ball and get a TREMENDOUS upgrade on offense.  Artest can knock down an open three as we know from rooting against him.  But more than that, he's a huge matchup problem for other teams.  It's like getting Lamar Odom Part II plus defense, two hands, and a post game.

Now I know there are some of you out there who think like Bill Plaschke, that Ariza was the perfect fit for the Lakers because he was willing to be merely a link in the chain, come off of the bench, and guard the other team's best player.  Um, did Plaschke not catch what Artest was doing while he was in Houston?  Did you hear one word out of him?  He was a model citizen and played third wheel behind T-Mac and Yao.  And if you're still worried, do you remember who the Lakers head coach is?  Phil Jackson dealt with Michael Jordan, Scottie "I'm refusing to go into a playoff game with 2 seconds left because the play wasn't drawn up for me and Kukoc nailed it anyway" Pippen, and Dennis Rodman.  I'm pretty sure he can handle Kobe with a side of Artest. 

I just don't get how anyone could argue that this is a bad thing or even close to the Karl Malone/Gary Payton situation.  Both of those guys were well past their primes when they came to L.A. and they let their egos spiral out of control.  Artest is 29 years old and has already shown a willingness to play a part.  Yes he's crazy, but at 3 years, $18 million, I'm willing to have him.

Basically, I could have summed this up with a very short statement.  Artest is a far better player.  He's proven and anytime you can upgrade your situation you do it.  There's never going to be team chemistry as long as Kobe's here so I don't see how adding Artest will really make things that much worse.  He and Lamar can rekindle their friendship and eat some candy bars together.  To Mr. Ariza, thank you for the good times, have fun with a team that will be drafting in the lottery.