In this year's free agency market, the Lakers have signed many veterans who have played for the Lakers, including veteran Ariza. In the offseason, the Lakers and Ariza signed a veteran base salary, and in the new season, Ariza will return to the Lakers to play for the Purple and Gold Again.
I believe that many Lakers fans are not unfamiliar with Ariza, a player, in the 07-08 season and 08-09 season, Ariza has played for the Lakers and played a very important role in the team's tactical system. His steady outside shooting and excellent ability to convert offense have helped the team tremendously, and he was a great helper around Kobe and Gasol. In the 08-09 season, the Lakers were able to beat the Magic in the finals to win the championship, Ariza's performance can be described as very critical, it can be said that Ariza is a player who helped the Lakers win the championship.
When he first played for the Lakers, Ariza was able to play an influential performance on both offensive and defensive ends, was the main rotation player of the Lakers, and in the regular season and playoffs, Ariza was able to help the team and was a practical role player. Now back with the Lakers, Ariza is 36 years old, his career is in his twilight years, and his physical fitness and other aspects have declined compared to when he first played for the Lakers. So the question is, Ariza, who returned to the Lakers at the age of 36, what role will he play in the team in the new season?
In terms of age, it is undeniable that Ariza no longer has the same performance as when he first joined the Lakers, but from last season, Ariza still has the ability to help the team in the game. When playing for the Heat last season, Ariza was the team's starting number four, in a total of 30 games, he had 27 starts, in the average 28 minutes per game, Ariza was able to average 9.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1 steal and 0.6 blocks per game, averaging 1.7 three-pointers per game, shooting 35%, which is still very good.
Although Ariza's athleticism has declined in the game, his best outside shooting and defense can still help the team, he is a very experienced veteran, the ability to grasp is very strong, can be in a short period of time continuous outside shooting to help the team, personal offensive explosiveness is still very strong. On the defensive end, Ariza's height and arm span are his strengths, which can improve the team's defensive strength, reduce the defensive pressure of the backcourt and interior players, and help the team on the defensive end.
In the author's opinion, although Ariza is 36 years old, he can still become the main rotation player of the Lakers in the new season, when the Lakers play a small lineup, Davis is expected to play in the fifth position, and Ariza has the ability to become the team's starting number four, when playing for the Heat, Ariza has also proved that he is still a trustworthy starter candidate, and he can make his own contribution in the game. When the Lakers play in the big lineup, Ariza can serve as the team's substitute number three or four, and his outside shooting and defense can play his value in the second lineup and help the team.
Personally, I think that Ariza will play a very important role in the Lakers in the new season, if the team plays a small lineup, Ariza has the strength to play the starting number four position in the game, and if the Lakers play the big lineup in the new season, then Ariza can play as a substitute for the third and fourth positions. Overall, in the Lakers' current lineup, Ariza is very expected to be reused, and in the new season, Vogel will let him start or play as a substitute, which is also worth looking forward to.