Can Trevor Ariza Become The Next Joe Johnson?

[Flyboy]

Just wanting to get hoop heads' thoughts here.

Discuss.

[SalutationsNJ]

No. I'm a little biased because I haven't watched him this year, only last year. And last year he was "good" because he was on a great team and I say at least half his shots were easy/uncontested ones. He benefited from drive and kicks. I don't think he has what it takes to put up 20 ppg on a nightly routine. Maybe 14-16.5 with no help.

Also Johnson can create his own shot, Ariza cannot he seems more comfortable as a spot up shooter. Once he puts the ball on the floor it seems he rushes a shot or forces a bad pass. But maybe all my rambling is irrelevant, I'll may or may not feel this way after I see him play this year.

[J.R. Locke]

He has great size, athleticism and a decent spot up jumper but he can't handle the ball and lacks NBA awareness.

So I say no. Joe Johnson showed signs early on. Ariza was almost out of the league before he landed in LA and a great situation.

[o_capone]

never, he can't create his own shot consistently... he is not anywhere near as skilled... no chance in hell... this was the best game of his career, he was hot... but he is no JJ, he is definitely no all-star...

[TheMatrix31]

Quote: Originally Posted by J.R. Locke

He has great size, athleticism and a decent spot up jumper but he can't handle the ball and lacks NBA awareness. So I say no. Joe Johnson showed signs early on. Ariza was almost out of the league before he landed in LA and a great situation.

Yeah, that's it right there. In fact, I never thought to consider them similar at all. Ariza is taller, lankier, a better defender, and much more of a role-player type.

We'll see though, maybe he proves us wrong. Right now, I don't see him being a full-on star like Joe.

[ILLSmak]

He's not JJ... because they are different. Is he a great player that played a role? YES! Was he underutilized? YES!

LA is dumb for letting him go. He is a great defender and very athletic. He is finally getting a jumper down, too. He just had 33 points on 17 shots vs a lock playoff team.

Again, he's not a star like JJ, nor will he ever be, but he's the type of player you want on your team and he can definitely do more than people think.

I'm from the camp that says Artest is barely better than Ariza and Artest is getting worse... Ariza, better.

-Smak

[clipperfan811]

Quote: Originally Posted by ILLSmak

He's not JJ... because they are different. Is he a great player that played a role? YES! Was he underutilized? YES! LA is dumb for letting him go. He is a great defender and very athletic. He is finally getting a jumper down, too. He just had 33 points on 17 shots vs a lock playoff team. Again, he's not a star like JJ, nor will he ever be, but he's the type of player you want on your team and he can definitely do more than people think. I'm from the camp that says Artest is barely better than Ariza and Artest is getting worse... Ariza, better. -Smak

I sort of agree, It was sort of like if LA had picked Shaq over Kobe (obviously scaled down talent/impact wise). I also think that Shannon Brown can have as big of an impact as Ariza had last year once he starts getting the minutes he deserves.Ok back on topic

I loved Ariza as a role player, I loved his hustle and I loved an unexpected big game from time to time. I think He'll do decently well in Houston but I don't see him becoming a superstar. I sort of hope I'm proven wrong though.

[eckoefx]

Quote: Originally Posted by J.R. Locke

He has great size, athleticism and a decent spot up jumper but he can't handle the ball and lacks NBA awareness. So I say no. Joe Johnson showed signs early on. Ariza was almost out of the league before he landed in LA and a great situation.

Sums it up perfectly.

[The 24th Letter]

Havent seen much of Ariza besides LA...

Hes a better finisher..but like many have said...I dont know how good he is at creating his own offense..

[PrettyT11]

No chance. Pretty much everything that needed to be said has already been said.