GO FOR 2

So with all the power moves by Eastern Conference contenders Cleveland, Orlando, and Boston, it seems like people have forgotten that teams in the West aren’t going to roll over and surrender next year’s crown.

Various outlets are now reporting that Ron Artest will join the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers. Artest sent a text message to ESPN confirming that he is just working out the details before officially signing. Artest was one of the best free agents available this off-season, and any team planning on competing for the title next year needs to be seriously worried about this move.

Artest is a solid scorer, averaging over 18 points each of his last 3 seasons, but his biggest strength is his massive defensive presence. Artest has led his team in steals for 8 of the last 9 years, he’s averaged almost 5 defensive rebounds each of the last 3 seasons, and he was voted the NBA Defensive Player of the Year in 2004. Artest is a nightmarish defender because at 6′7″ and 246 he has the length and size to defend in the paint, but he’s quick and fluid enough to defend out on the perimeter.

Artest will join a championship roster which ranked 8th in the NBA in total defense last year. Teams already had trouble scoring on L.A., and a lot of people don’t realize that Kobe has been named to the NBA all-defensive first team 7 times. With Odom and Gasol both playing great ball inside, and Kobe and Artest able to lock down the perimeter, don’t expect teams to put up many point on the Lakers in 2009-2010. Of course, the Lakers will have almost all of their offensive pieces back (Ariza might be out the door), and with the addition of Artest that number is likely to only go up.

Sure, teams in the East will still be able to battle for a ring, but this is going to make a repeat a hell of a lot more likely. If I’m LeBron James, I’m hiring somebody to head to Staples Center for the Lakers home opener and throw a nice, cold beer in Ron-Ron’s direction.