Overrating Trevor Ariza

As a Laker fan who is one of Trevor Ariza's biggest supporters and whose friend had him dubbed Trevor "the future" Ariza, it was sad to see him go. He was a key cog in the Lakers' championship wagon and delivered some of the most exciting and timely plays of the season. He is still young and will probably get better.

But let's not get carried away. Trevor was a 9 point, 4 rebound a game guy this past season who was a great wing defender. This is not to diminish what he brought to the Lakers, but rather to put it in it's proper place. Ron Artest put up superior numbers and played a more vital role for the Rockets, but everyone is talking about how Ariza is ther better player. It's silly.

This leads me to my more general point that it is easy to overvalue a player based on one playoff performance and playing on the right team. Ariza benefitted from coming alive at the right time (the playoffs), playing in a huge market (Los Angeles) alongside one of the all-time greats (Kobe Bryant) and for the best coach of all-time (Phil Jackson). His accomplishments shined in the LA spotlight and he was deified for his performance. He had some great moments, no doubt. His late-game steals against Denver in the Western Conference Finals were magical, and his top of the key heave against Orlando in game 5 of the NBA Finals was the most underrated play of the 2009 playoffs.

But based on public perception, you would think he was a 20 point a game guy who shot 50% from beyond the arc. While he did shoot 47% from 3-point range in the playoffs, he is 30% from that distance for his career. He has struggled in every system other he has ever played in and cannot create his own shot.

This is what happens when you're lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time. People make an icon out of you and you become a bigger star than you ever could have dreamed of. Do you think Ariza will shine out there in Houston like he did this past season in as a Laker? Not a chance. He could double his numbers next season and not get nearly the recognition he did as a this past season. It is far more powerful to do less on a bigger stage than more on a smaller one. It just is. And Trevor Ariza is Exhibit A.

So fare thee well Trevor. I love you like a brother for the ride you took Laker fans on this past season and you will always have a special place in my heart. But don't come crying to me when you realize what a massive mistake you made by ditching the LA immortality you once had for mediocrity on the third best team in Texas. And I cringe to think at how you will feel when you watch Ron Ron slip that 2009-2010 championship ring (that could have been yours) on his finger.