Ron Artest appears on Jimmy Kimmel's show half-naked

[Witch-King]

I'll admit that I didn't actually tune in last-night to catch the first instance of this clip being aired, though it seems like it may have been an entertaining show (appearently Heidi Klum was one of the other celebrity guests, so at least some of it was good, right?  ):

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_dont_lie/post/Video-Ron-Artest-on-Jimmy-Kimmel-Live-?urn=nba,204606

...while I'm sure that most of the people who frequent this blog would never admit to following the 'Los Angeles Lakers Franchise', or its players (either on or off the court) I do find it interesting to note that those Lakers, and their fans, happen to be defending the 2008 NBA Championship this season - and to do that, naturally they would try their best to appear in the NBA Finals again, if possible.

The reason why I point this out is because of the fact that Ron Artest may, or may not (or may) be a huge basket-case. This isn't the first Artest interview that has left me in a state of extended disbelief - last season after a playoff loss to the Lakers, Ron (seemingly randomly) claimed that in his youth he witnessed a friends' murder over the result of a game of basketball. It turns out that the incident (or one similar to it) actually occurred, as it was verified in an issue of the New York Times:

http://www.hoopsvibe.com/nba/nba-trash-talk/ron-artest-s-table-leg-murder-account-verified-ar50426.html

This is slightly alarming considering the fact that earlier in Ron Artest's NBA career he was suspended by the league for 86 games following a riot that erupted after a fan threw a cup of soda onto the court at him in an event that became known as 'The Malice at the Palace'.

...Sadly incidents like those are the ones that make headlines and boost T.V. ratings, because for about two weeks during the 2004-05 season ESPN's Sportscenter would air clips and footage concerning the brawl every 15 minutes or so.   

In an unrelated (and much lighter) story, shortly after being traded from the Rockets to the Lakers, there was a minor incident where Trevor Ariza lost his shoe (mind you, Ariza was traded away to the Rockets for Artest) and Ron Artest picked up the shoe and tossed it into the stands:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vu1zMV5j0fo

The reason why I bring up all of this hoopla is thus:

Say the Lakers somehow manage to make it back to the Finals to defend their championship, and also the Celtics can remain healthy enough to make it back to the Finals for another run at a title. Kobe and Ron Artest would then be a 2K10 version of the Michael Jordan Scottie Pippen duo that dominated the 1990's. However, Ron Artest's volatile personality resembles that of, say, Dennis Rodman, except without the 5 rings - just bat-**** crazy/absolutely unpredictable.

Another Celtics-Lakers series could end up as either a highly memorable, dramatic, competitive showdown, or it could be a disaster, seeing as how Artest would then be the only 'star' player present who had not yet won a ring before (Ron Artest was drafted by the Bulls in 1999, the season after Michael Jordan won his last ring and retired for the 2nd time). Ron Artest might feel extra pressure as the only starter who has for the entirety of his career always been on the 'outside-looking-in' as far as the championship hunt was concerned, and we all know how he has had problems dealing with controversy.

Let's just hope that the Celtics have enough class to be able to deal with all of the unnecessary hype/shenanigans that may occur if they happen to face the Lakers in the Finals again during the next few seasons. We wouldn't want anything like that to hinder the franchise's shot at success as we enter the next decade...

[Bankshot]

What an idiot.

[GreenFaith1819]

Nice Post, WK.

I have to agree with you somewhat on Artest...after all, when he was a member of the Pacers he attempted to get in Pierces' head by pulling Pierces' shorts halfway down during a game. The beauty of it all, though is that Pierce then proceeded to bury a three pointer right in his face afterwards.

I really believe that Artest has learned from that incident in 2004-2005. That is a lot for him (or anyone) to try to live down, and for this being his probable last shot at a ring I just don't see him doing anything "Illegal"....

Now...that doesn't mean he won't try to get in Pierces' head, either..I believe he will just try to toe the line, somewhat like he tried to do to Kobe during last years WC Playoff series.

I wish Artest the best...just not against the Celtics.

[thirstyboots18]

I found the interview hilarious.  I have to admit that I like Artest more now than I did before...so I guess it was effective.

[MattG12]

Artest is an entertainer... I think he's great. I've always liked him just as I've always liked Sheed. They have fun and it's fun to watch them.

[bdm860]

The interview was hilarious, and I was laughing with Artest not at him.  The NBA could use more guys that can go out there and play around with the media and don't take them self too seriously.  How is that at all bad for the NBA?

I don't get the point of talking about Artest telling the story about a the player getting killed with a table leg.  It was a true story, Artest was talking about the rough games he's been in.  Nothing wrong with that.  I think you're trying to spin that to make Artest look like a bad person and/or crazy.  (Not saying he's not and not saying he is, but there's many, many other things you could use to paint that picture without trying to spin that).

But Artest is a force and could saldly be the difference for the Lakers this year if he behaves, so I agree with that part of your post, although I don't think it has anything to do with him not having a ring.  Artest is just a beast, if he already had a ring, he'd still be the beast you see today.

[chelsearules]

the interview is cool but the dude is
he's been chill lately but i still have hope he'll make trouble for the fakers

[Witch-King]

The interview was hilarious, and I was laughing with Artest not at him.  The NBA could use more guys that can go out there and play around with the media and don't take them self too seriously.  How is that at all bad for the NBA?

I don't get the point of talking about Artest telling the story about a the player getting killed with a table leg.  It was a true story, Artest was talking about the rough games he's been in.  Nothing wrong with that.  I think you're trying to spin that to make Artest look like a bad person and/or crazy.  (Not saying he's not and not saying he is, but there's many, many other things you could use to paint that picture without trying to spin that).

But Artest is a force and could saldly be the difference for the Lakers this year if he behaves, so I agree with that part of your post, although I don't think it has anything to do with him not having a ring.  Artest is just a beast, if he already had a ring, he'd still be the beast you see today.

Good point, though by last year's playoffs the incident in Detroit had long since left the minds of basketball fans. I wasn't trying to use the interview during the Rockets-Lakers series to paint Ron in a negative light, in fact from reading the article that claims to verify the "rough games he's been in" it doesn't mention Ron Artest the basketball player at any point, so naturally I couldn't make a direct correlation with what may be two completely isolated incidents.

Regardless, I still think he made a poor decision during the infamous Pistons-Pacers game, either way the media circus made a fortune off of the incident, at the NBA's expense.

"Rage on, Ron-'dough'"
n.

1. The state, quality, or condition of excelling; superiority.
2.  Something in which one excels.
3. Excellence Excellency.

[Amonkey]

I don't understand, how is this an example of him going out of his mind?  The guy is having fun out there.  I hate the Lakers, but I do like Artest.  He has never been one of those guys that will do whatever the media wants him to make him look good (see Lebron). This shows no example of some kind of psychological disorder, if you want to look at that, look at Delonte West who clearly has a whole lot more issues going on.

[Witch-King]

I don't understand, how is this an example of him going out of his mind?  The guy is having fun out there.  I hate the Lakers, but I do like Artest.  He has never been one of those guys that will do whatever the media wants him to make him look good (see Lebron). This shows no example of some kind of psychological disorder, if you want to look at that, look at Delonte West who clearly has a whole lot more issues going on.

I guess I bring up all these issues in order to try and probe into the mind of a player who may pose a threat to the Celtics chances of winning a title this year...I don't actually think Ron Artest is crazy...maybe a little aloof, but not insane.

In the interview he mentions how David Stern would frown upon his choice in hairstyle...I remember back during the Chicago Bulls glory-days how Dennis Rodman's crazy hairstyles were often a controversial topic - I was just trying to make a slight correlation between two players known for their flamboyant on and off the court antics, and also a bridge between two eras (Dennis Rodman was traded from the Bulls to the Lakers the same year Artest entered the league as a rookie). I apologize for any unnecessary confusion.

[ToppersBsktball10]

Glad we got Sheed.

[ToppersBsktball10]

That's like 3/4 naked. And what is up with that shoe thing? Great sportsmanship.

[Steve Weinman]

The interview was hilarious, and I was laughing with Artest not at him.  The NBA could use more guys that can go out there and play around with the media and don't take them self too seriously.  How is that at all bad for the NBA?

I don't get the point of talking about Artest telling the story about a the player getting killed with a table leg.  It was a true story, Artest was talking about the rough games he's been in.  Nothing wrong with that.  I think you're trying to spin that to make Artest look like a bad person and/or crazy.  (Not saying he's not and not saying he is, but there's many, many other things you could use to paint that picture without trying to spin that).

But Artest is a force and could saldly be the difference for the Lakers this year if he behaves, so I agree with that part of your post, although I don't think it has anything to do with him not having a ring.  Artest is just a beast, if he already had a ring, he'd still be the beast you see today.

Good point, though by last year's playoffs the incident in Detroit had long since left the minds of basketball fans.

Is there any evidence to support that this claim is even remotely founded?

-sw

[BigBaby]

Yea I saw it the other day. It was very enjoyable. At first Artest looked lost with the Lakers, but after those first few games he has had good numbers and been looking deadly.

[CelticG1]

Sometimes I feel bad for Artest. Like Kobe, neither of them have any friends