YOU BEEN BLINDED » RON ARTEST

Ron Artest, Detroit, and the Brawl at the Palace

HG — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 06:27:57 +0000

It’s been five years since The Malice at the Palace when Ron Artest charged the stands after having a beer thrown on him by Pistons fan John Green. The reaction cost Artest the remaining 73 regular season games, the playoffs, and nearly $7 million. On the flip-side he’s known for setting off the greatest/worst NBA brawl.

Ron has spoken about the brawl several times since it happened and seems sincere when he says he regrets going in the stands. A lot of the blame has to fall on Ben Wallace for overreacting to the foul and then trying to start an altercation, and the referees for not taking control of the situation. You can see them standing around at times during the turmoil. Five years later and Ron-Ron is friends with John Green and playing for the defending champs. Artest’s life has taken a crazy path. I wouldn’t be surprised five years from now if he was an astronaut or an afterthought.

Ron Artest and His Street Legal Indycar

HG — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 08:51:40 +0000

Ron Artest threw an Inaugural Season Kick-Off BBQ for 30 of his closest Twitter followers and judging by the pictures everybody had a good time. More impressive than Artest throwing a cookout for 30 strangers was his choice of transportation: A red Indycar.

Ron-Ron was selling the ride on Ebay but I guess he changed his mind. Nothing surprises me when it comes to Artest but I gotta admit I didn’t see the Indycar coming.

Ron Artest Pays Homage to Mike Chatfield

HG — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 06:23:29 +0000

Ron Artest made a lot of people laugh during last season’s playoffs when he said Mike Chatfield was the best player he ever played against. He also said Brandon Roy is better than Kobe Bryant and LeBron James which made Artest’s statement seem even more out there.

As it turned out Chatfield was a childhood friend of Ron’s that made some bad decisions and wound up in prison. Chatfield was killed recently so Artest gave him a tribute with his opening night haircut.

Here’s Artest talking about Chatfield’s death with the LA Times:

odds to win the super bowl

Ron Artest at Los Angeles Lakers Media Day

HG — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 07:05:47 +0000

The Los Angeles Lakers held their media day Tuesday giving Ron Artest an early chance to bond with L.A. sports reporters. Nothing much came from the interview unless you wanted to know if Ron is motivated and how Lamar Odom’s wedding went.

If Kobe Bryant and Lamar Odom are truly what Artest needed in his life we can crown the Lakers’ asses right now. They’re too talented and Kobe is still the best player in the world for another year or so. I”m blaming a Cristiano Ronaldo-like wizard curse, not Ron Artest, if Los Angeles doesn’t repeat as NBA champs.

Ron Artest Rapping at the Grove of Anaheim

HG — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 08:03:33 +0000

One of the reasons Ron Artest always wanted to play in Los Angeles is the Hollywood limelight. He believes he can find somebody in the City of Angels that will give his music/acting/ or whatever career Ron wants a push in the right direction. Artest is performing at the Grove of Anaheim in the video below. The sound quality is weak, but watching Ron will be enough.

I can’t wait until Ron asks Phil Jackson for some time off from the team because he needs to promote his latest album or artist. And knowing Phil X he’ll probably let him because of some Zen philosophy. The Lakers might not repeat as champions but they’re gonna be the most entertaining team in the league.

Video: Ron Artest on a Chinese Beach With His New Artist “Shin Shin”

Will R — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 22:25:13 +0000

The wacky adventures of Ron Artest have gone international. Fresh off joining the world-champion Los Angeles Lakers for a 5-year deal, the NBA vet is in China, on the beach, promoting a new female artist he says he’s signed. Her name is Shin Shin, and Ron is enthusiastic because they’re already “blowing up in China.” If you still aren’t sold, Ron filmed her in a bikini in the latest video he released on his real Twitter page.

Lakers fans need not be too concerned about his priorities, because he also Tweeted that he’s been working out and plans to come back bigger and stronger. Even in his elbows.

He added photographic evidence of his workout results, for those interested.

It’s no guarantee the Laker signing will work out well on the court, but we sure know that Ron Artest and Hollywood’s bright lights should be an off the court hit. And if we’re lucky this might lead to Ron Artest rapping in Chinese.

-Will

Video: Ron Artest Press Conference and Contract Signing

HG — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 01:14:12 +0000

Ron Artest officially signed with the Los Angeles Lakers and at his press conference he was in full Ron-Ron mode. He talked about hoodalizing ESPN and the Lakers, why he chose number 37, and how he’s underpaid but doesn’t mind. Press play and enjoy.

Fans of any team other than the Lakers should be very scared. Ron Artest is happier than a little kid at Disneyland, and more motivated than Kobe Bryant was last season. Adding Artest in this state of mind to the LA roster is almost unfair. That’s why Mitch Kupchak is popping bottles and talking about championships.

Ron Artest signs with the Los Angeles Lakers:

Video: The Ron Artest Free Agency Decision Process

HG — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 19:19:06 +0000

Ron Artest’s decision to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers seemed like a no-brainer. He loves Kobe Bryant, and the Lakers give him a shot at the title for each of the next three years. But more goes into the decision making process than that.

This video shows Ron Artest talking to (his wife and then..) his agent David Bauman by cellphone, discussing Ron’s next move. The cameo at 4:38 is worth the watch.

How can you hate Ron Artest? Unless you’re one of the people that got beat up in Detroit… But besides that.. The dude talked to a fan while his agent is rattling on about his options and answered with “yeah” like he’d been listening the whole time.

The most interesting part of the video is when Artest is talking about LeBron James. Ron and LeBron have a connection because Ron’s cousin served time in prison with LeBron’s dad. That’s crazy. I thought LeBron James was a Terminator-like robot set on destroying NBA records, and he didn’t have a father. Who knew?

Episode 2:

Video: Ron Artest on SportsCenter

HG — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 06:36:00 +0000

Ron Artest is signing with the Los Angeles Lakers for $18 million over three years giving LA a tough, tough squad (assuming they sign Lamar Odom). Artest stopped by the Los Angeles ESPN studios to “Hoodilize” the network and talk about signing with the Lakers.

Ron Artest signs with the Lakers the day before Manny Ramirez returns to the Dodgers. The 4th of July weekend is going to be crazy in Los Angeles.

CBS 2’s Jim Hill hung out in a garage to wait for Ron Artest to finish with ESPN. Artest talks to Jim about playing with the Black Mamba, shouts out Trevor Ariza, and is still rockin’ the So Gutter hat.

Ron Artest to Sign with the Los Angeles Lakers

HG — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 23:56:17 +0000

The Los Angeles Times is reporting Ron Artest will sign with the Los Angeles Lakers later this afternoon. Former Laker swingman Trevor Ariza decided not to take the team’s offer leaving the door open for LA to bring in Ron Artest.

Artest comes to the Lakers at the cheap price of five-years, $32 million. If Lamar Odom stays in LA the Lakers will repeat. Rasheed Wallace just became more popular. That is all.

Lakers close to deal with Artest [Los Angeles Times]