Artest file: Flagrant, tech, battles Riles, raises fingers -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MIAMI (AP) -- Tempestuous Ron Artest made the Miami Heat angry, and Reggie Miller finished them off. Miller sank a 3-pointer with 1:10 left to put the Indiana Pacers ahead to stay, then added a layup with 41 seconds left in a 102-95 victory over Miami on Monday night. Artest had two confrontations with Heat coach Pat Riley, and he made an obscene gesture from center court as the Pacers rallied in the final period. The Heat lost after leading at the start of the fourth quarter for the eighth time. Miller scored 21 points to lead the Pacers, who won their fourth game in a row. Caron Butler had 22 points for Miami. The first incident involving Artest came in the first quarter, when he engaged in a testy exchange with Riley in front of the Miami bench. Riley and Butler received technical fouls for contending Artest had fouled Butler while jostling for position during a dead ball. As Riley continued to complain, Artest walked up to the coach and joined the argument. "Don't talk to me,'' Riley angrily told Artest. Peace prevailed until the fourth quarter. With 8:13 left, Artest was called for a flagrant foul when he ran over Butler as they chased a loose ball out of bounds. Butler sank both free throws to put Miami ahead 81-76. Then, two minutes later, Artest hit a driving scoop shot, was fouled and walked toward the Miami bench with his right arm flexed. As he exchanged words with assistant coach Keith Askins, Artest brushed against Riley. They began shouting at each other, and Riley shoved Artest away. Artest was called for a technical. After Miami's Eddie Jones missed that free throw, Artest sank his free throw to cut Miami's lead to 83-82. He then backpedaled up the court with both middle fingers aloft. When the Heat trailed 98-95 in the final minute, Miami's Malik Allen committed a turnover and Jones missed a 3-pointer. Al Harrington then sank two free throws with 19 seconds left to clinch the win. The Pacers, who have the NBA's best home record at 21-1, improved to 12-11 on the road. Indiana All-Star Jermaine O'Neal was limited to 27 minutes by foul trouble. He had 18 points and 11 rebounds before fouling out with 3:40 left. Artest also had 18 points. A basket by Travis Best gave the Heat their biggest lead at 71-62 late in the third quarter. Brad Miller's three-point play at the start of the fourth period put Indiana ahead for the first time in the second half, 73-72. Best scored 20 points against his former team. I just saw the clip on "Sportscenter." Absolutely disgusting!
I have a feeling that many people are going to dislike Artest once the playoffs come around and the Pacers are more in the spotlight, but I for one really enjoy watching him play. He's like Rodman all over again, but not as much in the media spotlight. Isaiah may not condone this behavior in public, but you've got to believe that deep down inside he loves it. He's really built a solid team that's going to have a reputation. I love the choice of words there. "Aloft"...lol.
I read that article in ESPN Magazine about Ron Artest -- I didn't really know much about him before, but now, I *LOVE* this guy. I mean, I hate him when we're playing him, but as a basketball player, he's awesome! He's like a hockey enforcer, but with solid offensive game to go with it. Kindof like Barkley -- he's got an attitude on the court and he wants to win so badly . . .
Yeah, um, intensity is great, enforcing I love, but brushing up against the opposing coach and flipping him off in front of television cameras? Put my vote in the disgusting column.
artest in an ******* plain and simple, no two ways about it. there's a point where it stops being intensity and starts being ******* behavior, artest crossed that line a while ago. he may play hard and all, but he's still a jerk and some of the off court stuff you read about him (can't remember off the top of my head) seems to have confirmed that over the last year or two.
I liked Artest because he was a hard working player, a real scrapper. But his recent antics and quotes have made him seem like a complete ass. Thinking he's one of the NBA's best perimeter players? He plays great D but really can't shoot. Talking trash, flipping people off, and bumping opposing coaches? Stupid, get that trash out of the NBA please.
cmon on guys the man gave the bird to thousands of people. He is out of control. He is just as bad as 'Sheed wallace. He needs to be suspended 7 games for this ridiculous outburst just like Wallace if not more since this went on public. I mean theres kids in the stands. These guys are professional athletes they should act like it. Playing hard is one thing but to disrespect one of the best coaches of all time and disrespect fans that shell out a ton of money for seats is another. Play hard and respect the fans and the games thats what fans want to see not this crap.
I get the feeling that Artest is on steriods. He is EXTREMELY cut and muscular and has a really bad temper. That guy should get drug tested.
The league needs to discipline its players. Rasheed Wallace and Ron Artest, at the minimum, should be suspended for the season. University (Just $tu It!) Blue
I think I've read somewhere that he's been prescribed medication before but won't take it. Artest actually reminds me of someone I know; if he didn't have so much basketball talent, his personality would keep him from ever keeping a job for more than a month or two. I guess for his sake, I'm glad he has basketball talent.
The brushing up wasnt intentional. Artest was going to have some word for the assistant and he rubbed up against Riley. Riley was the one that pushed Artest.
Do you guy's remember when Artest went bankrupt, because he had so many friends and family on his payroll when he was a rookie. Sam Smith, a newspaper guy from Chicago, was on Tony Kornheiser's show earlier and said he tried to get a job a Best Buy so he could get a discount on electronics while playing for the Bulls. He also said that Artest broke Jordan's ribs on purpose because Jordan made fun of him for being bankrupt.
Juan V., Thou art correct. He won't take his medication. I really like the guy's game, but as unstable as he is, it's funny that he should wind up on Isiah's team. Isiah always played with a chip on his shoulder (he went to Detroit and always hated Jordan who became the beloved of Chicago---remember the All Star game freeze-out?), and he was part of the bad boys on Detroit, and so he obviously condones the thug behavior of Artest and Brad Miller. He quickly came to their defense after this incident. Now, I would love Artest on the Rockets, but confronting a coach like that shows a complete lack of class and restraint. And I think that points to Isiah.
I heard that interview while I was out running and I almost fell over into the street, doubled over in laughter! He used the Bulls as a reference on his resume!!!!!!!!!! I had this idea several years ago, when I spent gobs and gobs of cash at Best Buy purchasing every electronic gadget known to mankind. Of course I didn't make over $1 million that year though!
