This is a very physical game, and there's a big difference between an agressive player and a "dirty" player. When a professional player pulls down an opponent's shorts out of frustration, or goes into the stands in the middle of a game to have a fist-fight with a fan, it's safe to say he's in a class below-and-beyond most of the rest ... Artest is clearly such a player. Nothing he does surprises me, just the fact that he's even allowed to continue playing on this level. I don't think it's remotely realistic to lump KG in with the likes of Artest, Bowen, Laimbeer, etc..
You can lump Artest with Posey circa 2008. Posey was big on cheap shots.
The play that Artest did on Pierce to start the game was brilliant. I give him kudos for helping set the tone.
The "thug" label is kinda dumb. Players have their own rates of dirty plays. What is the point of drawing a cutoff line to say who is or isn't a thug?
Artest has always been acknowledged as one of the dirtier players in the league. To those who are bothered by this, I would say so what? We were extremely dirty in 2008. So long as you don't foul out or get suspended, it is all fair game at this point in the season.
I actually dislike Bowen the most thought because he does things that can lead to the most injuries when he kicks out people's feet as they are running or when he slides his feet under guys in the air. Artest is more Rodman like in that he just crazy, extremely annoying stuff.
