Well since AI is now a teacher's pet, at least we can count on some things... http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2187938
If Im a team in the East that could be battling the Pacers in the playoffs I'd be getting one of my lesser players to drag Artest into more trouble. I have a feeling that Stern would be looking at teaching Artest a lesson (As he has tried with Mark Cuban) and just keep handing him big suspensions every time he does something stupid.
I think it's all an act...he's just trying to live up to this reputation he's built up for himself, so he says these tough guy comments. If he comes out all pansy ass on us, he loses that mental edge he has over guys who think he's crazy...
What A-Train said. What's Artest suppposed to say? He's a Care Bear now? The people who like Artest like his tenaciousness and ferocity. It's also the trait that has won him success in the league. He may try to stay out of trouble more now, but he's not going to say that.
I'm gonna wait until he does something again-if he does-before calling him a moron. A guy like that can't change the way he plays. His game is predicated on intensity and hustle. If he changes that because of what happened, he won't be the same player. To me, the important part of the article was this quote: "I don't think anybody's going to throw anything at me, and I don't see me reacting how I reacted," he said.
A 260 pound swingman.......do we really comprehend the athleticism of this guy? I sure wish Isaiah was still running that franchise.
He says a different thing every day of the week, depending upon his mood and who holds the microphone. Last week he was guaranteeing that he'd play all 82 games and there was no way he'd ever get thrown out or suspended. He talks and talks and talks and talks. His actions are the only things that matter.
what's wrong with what he said...ron artest is an INTIMIDATOR on the court, adn there is nothing wrong with that. shaq does the same thing as have a lot of other players in the past. he plays extremely hard and doesn't take crap from anyone, there is nothing wrong with that. i don't condone the flagarent fouls or the techs but his hard, all out play is the way more players should play instead of whining about every little touch they receive going up for a shot. this is a man's sport and if you don't like contact, don't play.
Time will tell on his behavior. I don't have a good feeling about it. I can't believe he's up to 260! What's the purpose? Being that heavy will definitely affect his mobility and speed. It's almost like he's planning on another fight.
I didn't read anything negative about this. He's very tenacious. He should be dubbed the new nickname T-Art, or just plain tart.
Yeah, actually he could say that he would be nicer this year. Why not? If nothing other than to calm his teammates who might not be sure if he'll be there all year.
The reason I have a problem with his statement (actually, I really don't since hes not on my team), is that after all his problems on the court, especially with the refs, why call attention to yourself and say "im going to play like a caged animal and let the refs handle my actions"? I don't think Artest needs media quotes to remind anyone that he is crazy. He should just play the frickin game, whether it be like a caged animal or not. Calling attention to yourself beforehand, I would think, just puts you and your team at a disadvantage. The refs read these quotes, and in fact, wouldn't even be suprised if they now take preemptive measures earlier in the game to make sure he doesn't get out of control. Like I said, in reality, I don't care that much. If I was a Pacer fan, I would be like "why can't this idiot keep his mouth shut and just play!?". Artest would have been best served to keep his mouth shut, and be a choir boy with the league and media and play his guts out on the court. Hes a great enough player to make a huge difference to his team, WITHOUT all the distractions.
I'd take him on the Rockets in a second; the current team with Artest, well, just mail us the trophy to prevent further bloodshed. I don't know about chemistry, though. The guy may be a nut case, but I love his game.
