LOS ANGELES — Trevor Ariza, if healthy, can easily run faster and jump higher than Ira Newble, who is about 10 years his elder. But just as coaches of NBA championship-contending teams can appreciate veterans who know so well how to use their brains on the court, sportswriters usually prefer vets for how well they use their brains off the court.
Newble, the former Cleveland Cav, signed his 10-day contract Friday and immediately provided great material for reporters when asked to compared LeBron James with Kobe Bryant.
“You know what? Kobe’s better, and if you ask LeBron, he’ll tell you Kobe’s better,” Newble said.
Newble cited Bryant’s “tenacity for the game” and his defense as superior areas when compared to James.
The Lakers were looking for another defensive option against opposing perimeter scorers besides Bryant. Even if the speed-oriented Ariza recovers from his fractured foot for the postseason, Newble could offer a heftier defensive presence compared to him and Sasha Vujacic.
