http://ken-berger.blogs.cbsspo...ry/11838893/15861966

Shaq can have LeBron. Ron Artest says he'll take Kobe.

Artest, whose versatility and toughness have made him one of the most coveted and combustible players in the NBA, told CBSSports.com Thursday that he's signing with the Lakers.

"I'm definitely going to L.A. -- to sign, yeah," Artest said in a phone interview. "Lakers, Lakers, Lakers. I'm in L.A. right now."

Artest said he met with Lakers owner Dr. Jerry Buss Thursday and previously had spoken with Lakers coach Phil Jackson. He was en route to his financial manager's office, where he planned to huddle on the phone with his agent, David Bauman, to finalize details.

Artest's exuberance -- he spent the whole summer in L.A., including several appearances at Lakers home games during the NBA Finals -- got ahead of the process a bit. Other teams that made overtures for Artest -- including the Cavaliers -- have not yet been notified that Artest is signing with the Lakers. (Consider them notified.) Bauman has spoken with Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak, but parameters have not yet been agreed to. Still, it's pretty clear where Artest is going.

"I don't really care about the money," Artest said. "I'll play there for nothing. ... L.A. was very interested in me, and they got me."

UPDATE: Lakers spokesman John Black declined to comment on Artest's assertion, but another person with knowledge of the situation corroborated Artest's account that he will sign with L.A. pending the financial parameters being finalized.

Only 24 hours earlier, the buzz was focused on Artest joining LeBron James and Shaquille O'Neal in Cleveland in what would've made a potent Big Three on the shores of Lake Erie. It would've been, well, eerie, too: Artest's internal combustion engine, combined with LeBron's exquisite dominance and Shaq's alpha-male, all-round Shaq-ness would've been something to see.

But Artest said talks with Cleveland "never got that far." Told that Cleveland, by all accounts, had extreme interest, Artest said, "I don't know how extreme. I love the Cleveland Cavaliers, though. I love LeBron and Coach (Mike) Brown and Shaq."

But what he really loves is L.A.

"L.A. is what it is," Artest said. "I've been here for the whole summer, and it's pretty good. It's good for me. I know Lamar Odom, so that's pretty cool."

Artest spoke as though Odom would return to the Lakers to join Artest and Kobe Bryant for another title run. The addition of Artest would mean the Lakers have to choose between Odom and Trevor Ariza. Obviously, Ariza would be the odd man out and already has expressed displeasure with the Lakers' efforts to lure him back with only the mid-level exception.

what, was my post not good enough for you guy, had to start your own? combine admin!

It's a good move for Artest because even if he goes to Cleveland there is no guarantee LeBron stays. He could be there by himself in misery if LeBron left. I don't think he'll leave but by going to LA he has Kobe and Kobe is going no where.

over/under on fights b/w kobe and artest during practice - 3

This will only work if Phil Jackson is still coaching that team.

quote:

Originally posted by WrightNReyes:
It's a good move for Artest because even if he goes to Cleveland there is no guarantee LeBron stays. He could be there by himself in misery if LeBron left. I don't think he'll leave but by going to LA he has Kobe and Kobe is going no where.

over/under on fights b/w kobe and artest during practice - 3

LOL

Ron Artest is reportedly signing for 5 yrs @ 32 million. And David Lee wants 8 million a year? Is David Lee worth more than Ron Artest?

I think this signing, on top of all the others is going to bring David Lee's price down. No way he's more valuable to a team than Ron Artest.