I recall a similar question being asked last year when BATTIER said having Artest on the Team was great because He wasn't always on the toughest cover all the time [or something similar] people felt it was a swipe at McGrady people sure are protective of McGrady Rocket River
How is this one not? Who else could it be aimed towards? Artest really didn't have to make the final statement, as seen in the OPs quote, unless he was specifically talking about someone.
He could be talking in general just like most NBA quotes. If I read that quote without this thread being made I would not have thought it was taking shots at anyone.