Greed, past success, listening to the wrong people? What made Trevor Ariza act like he was worth more that he actually will receive from the Houston Rockets? The answer can be complicated, but it is rather simple. David Lee, Ariza's agent, told his client that he would get him at around $7-8 million. I'm sure that Lee based that figure upon the success of Ariza in the playoffs.
Lee stuck to his guns. Something that you don't want to do is play hardball with the champs. He fought the Lakers' brass, and the Lakers won.
The problem was that Lee was trying to use the press saying, "The Lakers don't believe that he'll leave." On the contrary, Lee didn't think that the Lakers would let his client walk.
Ariza only tried to save face when Ron Artest had agreed verbally that he would be joining Los Angeles. The Ariza camp quickly agreed to terms with, coincidentally, the Rockets, Artest's former team. "I think that this a great opportunity and I have to do what's best for me and my family."
Wipe the egg off your face Ariza, because if I'm you, it is an omelet already. Fire Lee because not only did you not get the money that you were looking for, but he got you a contract that was substantially the same one that the Lakers offered. Then the Lakers got, essentially, a better player albeit older and more experienced for the same price in the form of "The Artest formally known as Ron."
You were key in winning a title with the Lakers, your hometown team, and you and your agent had the gall to challenge Jerry Buss, shame on you both. Deep down inside, I'm sure that it hurts knowing that you could and should still be a Laker. Greed, past success, and the wrong people in your corner, is what led to this debacle.
We will definitely see who gets the last laugh at next season's end.
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