Trevor Anthony Ariza (born June 30, 1985 in Miami, Florida) is an American basketball player in the National Basketball Association who is currently playing for the Houston Rockets. Primarily a small forward, he currently stands at 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) tall.
NBA career
New York Knicks
Ariza was drafted by the Knicks at age 19, after spending just one year at UCLA. Ariza started his rookie season coming off the bench as the second youngest rookie in Knicks history playing in 80 games.[2] Ariza then earned himself starting honors with the Knicks under Larry Brown, starting in 12 games during his rookie season as the team attempted to implement a youth movement, until 2005 draft pick David Lee replaced him. In Ariza's second season, he played in 36 games and started in 10 games.
Orlando Magic
On February 22, 2006, he was traded to the Orlando Magic along with Penny Hardaway in exchange for Steve Francis. After being traded to the Orlando Magic, he played in 21 games and only averaged 4.7 per game. In the 2006-07 season, he received more playing time, playing and starting in more games then he did in the previous season. He played in 57 games and started in 7 -- averaging a career high of 8.9 points and 4.4 rebounds per game.
Los Angeles Lakers
On November 20, 2007, Ariza was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Brian Cook and Maurice Evans.[3] He fractured a bone in his right foot in January 2008, but made his return in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals against the San Antonio Spurs in late May, scoring a basket within his first minute of play. He has the nickname "Cobra", in reference to a comment by Phil Jackson about his quickness and ability to strike on defense.[4] In Ariza's 2008-09 season, he played and started in a career high of 80 games and starting in 20 games. Ariza was ejected during a game with Portland on March 9, 2009, following a flagrant foul on Rudy Fernández.[5] On March 15, 2009 versus the Dallas Mavericks, Ariza enjoying his new starting position, scored a career high 26 points along with 3 steals, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists.[6] After becoming a starter, he began to show more of his ability to be a lock-down defender.[7]
2009 Playoffs
In game one of the Western Conference first round playoff series between the Lakers and Utah Jazz, he tallied 21 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists.[8] In the second round, the Lakers faced the Houston Rockets, winning the series in seven games, 43. In game 1 of the third round against the Denver Nuggets, Ariza stole the inbound pass from Chauncey Billups to help Lakers beat the Nuggets. In game 3 the Lakers led by two points with 37.1 seconds remaining, when Ariza made the exact same play as in game 1 -- he stole Kenyon Martin's pass to Carmelo Anthony near midcourt to help Lakers take a 2-1 lead.[9][10] The Lakers eventually won the series in six games, 42, sending them to the NBA Finals against the Orlando Magic. In game 4 of the finals, Ariza who was 0-for-6 in the first half, scored 13 in the third quarter to help the Lakers win in OT and finished the game with nine boards and three 3-pointers.[11] The Lakers went on to win their 15th NBA title, beating the Orlando Magic in five games, 4-1. Ariza averaged 11.3 points and 4.2 rebounds and shot 50% from three-point range in the playoffs.
Houston Rockets
On July 3, 2009, Ariza reached an agreement with the Houston Rockets. The deal reportedly is worth $33 million over five years.[12][13] Trevor was signed using the Disabled Player Exception the Rockets were granted for injured center Yao Ming. [14]
He looks better on purple and gold.
pwrbytrd 2 years ago 21
He's Made a name for himself
Stretchz1 2 years ago 11