Well, just to give you all another little insight into our little Rocket, and how he takes losses. After the last loss to Portland, not only did Ron disconnect his phone, he disconnected his email. Mr. Artest does not like to lose. So if/when I get a hold of him, you better believe I'm going to remind him of the mohawk promise, and I will happily offer to shave it myself.
There is no denying his passion for the game. When the game ended and he did his interview he sprinted back into the locker room, it was great to see that kind of joy. Seems like a very emotional guy..... BTW thaks for sharing, great read.
I have been surprised, pleasantly so, when I've been to Rockets games this year the number of Asians wearing Artest gear, and African - Americans with Yao gear. I have told Liberal friends from both coasts, where I have lived much of my life, many times that Houston is the most humanly acclimatized place I have ever lived (15 years). C'mon, Ron, earn that next contract. C'mon Yao, earn your next max deal. C'mon, every Rock, creat your legends and leave your legacy. The Lakes are next! Go Mrs Carmichael Dave!
Sorry, but I disagree with the underlying premise here. The whole "Sacramentans practically paid his ticket out of town" thing. That makes it sound like Sacramentans just didn't like him or somehow are worse fans than Houston fans. That's not true. They liked him and knew he was a good player. ARTEST was the one who didn't want to be there. ARTEST was the one who wanted to get out of town. And that's fair enough, because they're an awful team, and by the time Sacramento is any good again, Artest will be over the hill. Artest parting with the Kings made sense for everyone involved. Then he comes here, and he's on his very best behavior because he's in a contract year. No real incidents all year. And then Houston fans are given credit for "accepting" him. That's not remotely fair to, say, Indiana fans. Indiana fans loved Artest... many still do. And they loved him a lot more BEFORE he became a liability for them with his behavior. Houston hasn't had to deal with any of that yet, so it's not fair to give them credit for it as if they had. It's not the fault of Indiana or Sacramento fans that there was backlash against him. That's on Artest. He went nuts in Indiana and wanted time off to work on his album (quitting on team much?), and Sacramento got rather annoyed that he basically quit on them, too, because he didn't feel like playing for a team with no title aspirations. Fans shouldn't be forgiving of that stuff. When Artest goes nuts and requests to take half the season off from the Rockets to go on a safari, and Houston fans still love him, THEN I won't have a problem with the "he's finally found a place that accepts him" angle.
Thanks Dave for sharing this with us. Well written. Ron is Ron. Good and bad. But................. he did step up big for us when it mattered. We haven't been here in 12 years. As a true Rockets fan.. I trust you Ron.
You have to admire Ronron. Win or lose, he gives it every ounce of energy he has. You will never accuse him of apathy (unlike others on our team). I for one am glad he plays for us.
Dave that makes me wanna hug your wife (and that's not a bad thing cause I am a girl)... and Ron. Thanks for sharing this with us! Can't wait to listen to you with Ron your show in the middle of the night when we beat the Lakers (Hope springs eternal)
Dave, I have to say I was very skeptical of the whole concept of "you" after the Ron trade. I thought, great, another talking head who thinks he's the greatest thing since sliced bread and he and Artest are blood brothers or something.... But, of course, I listened to all the interviews and podcasts and couldn't help but like what you're doing - your shows - with Ron at least, I don't listen to anything else - are highly entertaining, you actually come off personally as the complete opposite of pompous, rather humble and down to earth. And you're wife clearly has the ability to do what many fine journalists can't - get across a point and message in a understandable, succinct way. Unless Ron-Ron goes nuts and asks for more money than he rightfully deserves, there is a 90%+ chance we'll see him in Houston for his next contract...and if that means you'll follow, you will be a welcome addition to the Houston sports talk radio airwaves.
