It's not rare to hear old school sportswriters complain about their lack of access to athletes these days. Lately, I'm starting to wonder if that's just because they haven't figured out how to use email. Over the last couple of weeks, Ron Artest has emailed the media near daily updates on his contract status. That's how he told the world he "probably won't" opt out, and that he'll "never accept a mid-level exception." Days later he hinted he might opt out after all, saying "I never knew so many teams would be coming after me. Just hours after officially deciding to stay put, he emailed ESPN's Marc Stein, saying, "I think I made the biggest mistake by staying in my contract." That last bombshell attracted quite a bit of attention -- it's not often you see a player publicly admit to having cold feet so soon -- and this morning he emailed an explanation to Sam Amick of the Sacramento Bee:
"I made the comment about making a mistake on my opt out clause because I really did make a mistake. I had wrong info about extension options and it could have cost me a new deal. I was informed that the kings had me in their long term plans so that's why I decided to stay in contract. I just wanted to show loyalty. However when I spoke to the kings that was not an option and I grew frustrated with my decision immediately. I do apologize for being mistakenly frustrated with the kings. It was a mistake that I made and I will move on from. I dont know my future but I'm still a King Haters:)"Take that for what you will. That smiley face at the end of the last sentence confounds me (does he hate the Kings or not?), but now we know the backstory: he thought he'd be rewarded for being loyal and he's disappointed that's not the case. Does this mean he'd welcome a trade? Methinks this isn't the last email Artest will send this summer.
