Artest and Yao

Don Wassall

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Ron Artest proudly represents his "culture." Notice that no one in this article is quoted as criticizing Artest's defense of his role in the notorious brawl in Detroit. That might be construed as "racist" given Artest's self-appointed role as ambassador for the ghetto:


Artest replies to Yao, seeks 'commitment' from Rockets


The potential trade of Ron Artest to the Houston Rockets may have gotten off on the wrong foot over comments made by Artest's potential teammate, Yao Ming, about Artest's stormy past.


A day after the Rockets and Sacramento Kings agreed in principle to a deal sending Artest to Houston for Bobby Jackson, Donte Greene and a first-round draft pick, Yao expressed concerns about team chemistry to the Houston Chronicle and referenced Artest's involvement in the 2004 brawl with Pistons fans.








"Hopefully, he's not fighting anymore and going after a guy in the stands," Yao said, according to the Chronicle.








When asked about those comments, Artest said Yao had bought into "all the propaganda" about him, according to The Sacramento Bee.








"I understand what Yao said, but I'm still ghetto," Artest said, according to the report. "That's not going to change. I'm never going to change my culture. Yao has played with a lot of black players, but I don't think he's ever played with a black player that really represents his culture as much as I represent my culture. Once Yao Ming gets to know me, he'll understand what I'm about.


"If you go back to the brawl, that's a culture issue right there," Artest added, according to the report. "Somebody was disrespecting me, so he's got to understand where I'm coming from. People that know me know that Ron Artest never changed."





The agreed-to deal sending Artest to Houston cannot become official until Aug. 14. And Artest, who has one year remaining on his contract, also said he was looking for a long-term deal from the Rockets, according to the report.


"We've still got to make sure there's still a commitment [from the Rockets]," Artest said, according to the Bee. "That's the main thing, is to make sure there's still a commitment. When I speak to the powers-that-be of the Houston Rockets' organization, we're going to find out how much they really want me there. We'll find out. I'm still waiting to find out if this is just a trade or if this is like a long-term commitment-type thing. I haven't spoken to anybody yet. I'm still waiting."


That appeared to be a shift in Artest's outlook from earlier Wednesday, when he told ESPN.com of the trade, "I'll be a kid in a candy store ... I'm going to dance with the stars."


He also said he's waiting for a phone call from Yao, according to the Bee.


"I guess once Yao Ming approves [the deal], I'll be a Houston Rocket," Artest said, according to the report. "[Yao] probably should've called me first. But at the same time, it's Yao Ming's team.








"Whatever Yao Ming wants me to do, I'll be there. Whatever Tracy McGrady tells me to do, that's how it's going to go down. Ultimately, whatever [Rockets] coach Rick Adelman tells me to do is exactly what I'm going to do."


http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3512419Edited by: Don Wassall
 

guest301

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Sounds like Yao knows what's up and is very leery of playing with Artest on his team. Kudos to Yao for speaking his mind.
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celticdb15

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Kudos to Artest, hopefully he can his 4th clean start!
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I relish the memory of Gonzaga making Artest into their beich in the tourney. One muscular surfer looking dude for Gonzaga rejected one of Artest's shots into the stands and then stood up to Artest's attempt at intimidation afterwards. I think the surfer dude would have handed Artest his ars. St John's got blown out. Edited by: Sean Carlisle
 

guest301

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Sean Carlisle said:
I relish the memory of Gonzaga making Artest into their beich in the tourney. One muscular surfer looking dude for Gonzaga rejected one of Artest's shots into the stands and then stood up to Artest's attempt at intimidation afterwards. I think the surfer dude would have handed Artest his ars. St John's got blown out.

I am a big Gonzaga fan but I don't remember that bit of history. Was that surfer looking dude you are talking about Casey Calvary or Corey Violette? Those were the most muscular strong looking dudes that I remember playing for the Zags.
 
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I am pretty sure Calvary was on the team. Calvary was so athletic, especially his jumping ability. How he did not have an NBA career baffles me. It was not him who I was talking about though or any of the stars of the team but it was a good solid player. I remember most of the team had shaved heads that year.

Nobody had heard about Gonzaga back then. A friend of mine overheard some guy talking about these crazy white guys flying around with about three different ones on a play trying to reject a driving shot and slapping the back board after one of them blocked it. That year they ended up losing a heartbreaker to U Conn who ended up winning it all. I will ask my friend who that "surfer dude" was. I think it was Artest's last college game. I hope his NBA career ends on a similar note.
 

guest301

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Sean Carlisle said:
I am pretty sure Calvary was on the team. Calvary was so athletic, especially his jumping ability. How he did not have an NBA career baffles me. It was not him who I was talking about though or any of the stars of the team but it was a good solid player. I remember most of the team had shaved heads that year.

Nobody had heard about Gonzaga back then. A friend of mine overheard some guy talking about these crazy white guys flying around with about three different ones on a play trying to reject a driving shot and slapping the back board after one of them blocked it. That year they ended up losing a heartbreaker to U Conn who ended up winning it all. I will ask my friend who that "surfer dude" was. I think it was Artest's last college game. I hope his NBA career ends on a similar note.

Knowing the dozen chances every black athlete gets in the NBA, Artest will probably end being a assistant coach specializing in the mugging fouling hands all over you defence which is his forte.Edited by: guest301
 
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