The NBA's offseason goes on far too long for the league's die-hard fans, but the latest craze of its athletes sharing their most intimate thoughts via Twitter is helping to keep us connected. And, in the case of Ron Artest, we're also getting a preview of what to expect once the season does finally begin at the end of October.The latest from Ron-Ron -- who you may remember from such stunts as giving his cell phone number out to the general public -- is that he's not at all happy with the way things ended with the Rockets. Specifically, he claims that they "did him dirty" by "messing up" his Bird rights, and because of this, he plans on carrying out a vendetta against them as long as he's in the league.
Over two separate Twitter dispatches, Artest explains why he's upset.
"Houston did me dirty. I can't wait til next year when we go to Houston. I'm not shooting. All defense. Somebody getting locked da f**k up."
"I still feel blessed but they messed up my bird rights. So it's on as long as I'm in the league."
Now of course, we all love imaginary reasons for players to feud with other teams. Who can forget the entertainment value of Gilbert Arenas' revenge tour of the 2006-07 season? But the issue that Artest raises as the basis for his future actions on the court against the Rockets really doesn't seem to be one that's all that legitimate.
Artest had these rights in Houston, and had the Rockets done a sign-and-trade with the Lakers (for Trevor Ariza, maybe?), he would continue to have them in Los Angeles. Since he left as a free agent, though, the "clock" resets, and he'll have to play three years on his current deal to earn them again.
But in Artest's current situation with the Lakers, it seems like a moot point.
Artest signed a five-year deal to play in Los Angeles, and actually did so for less than he made in his one season in Houston. Since he isn't going to be a free agent until he regains his Bird rights, those rights are somewhat useless to him right now. Especially considering that the team is well over the cap at the moment anyway -- so much so that team owner Jerry Buss was willing to let Lamar Odom walk if Odom didn't lower his asking price.
So is Artest justified in holding a grudge against his former team, and threatening some sort of revenge against them for all of this? Of course not. But anytime a player goes on the record as saying "it's on" against another team, you can guarantee we'll all be watching a little more closely.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
8-22-2009 @ 10:08PM
jim stafford said...
I hope he scres up the Lakers with his off-the-wall behavior...that's about all the rest of the league has to hope for in keeping the Lakers from being champs again.
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8-23-2009 @ 12:08PM
uah44 said...
YOU ARE DRINKING LAKER HATERADE, AREN'T YOU?
8-22-2009 @ 10:13PM
LIVLU526 said...
ARTEST IS A LOSER, PLAIN AND SIMPLE. HE IS A CANCER TO EVERY TEAM THAT AQUIRES HIM.
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8-23-2009 @ 6:03PM
Nathan said...
Houston went pretty far without their stars because of Ron. And by most accounts he was well behaved post pacers (save a few getting on the team bus in his underwear stunts). He's a lock down defender, a good strong body and obviously has his mind in the right place by taking a severe pay cut to get a chance at a title with the lakes. La needs a little nasty and I think he's going to be a perfect fit. Furthermore, Phil can manage big personalities.
8-22-2009 @ 11:25PM
Giles said...
Poor Ronnie. Unless Phil lets him and Kobe try in vain to keep up with the Rocket point guards, or unless McGrady and Yao make miraculous recoveries from their injuries, he and Kobe won`t have anyone much to show of their all D team candidate efforts against on the Rockets. And poor Houston fans, having to hope already the Titans will say "All is forgiven", and give them a choice of which Nfl team to let go to Austin and/or San Antonio. the Austin Texans and/or the San Antonio Titans. But at least the Rockets will be about as good as some of the college teams, guess that is something. Ronnie will have to content himself with guarding James, and since he isn`t good from middle distance on out, helping off him on Shaq, and guarding Anthony. He should know he is probably on his last contract, though guys have played longer, so if he stays lean, quick, he may have a shoot at another contract. His own mid range shooting could stand improvement, too. Until the Cavs add some front court 3 point shooting, the Lakers still have a chance to beat them for the Championship, if Artest plays controlled, consistent, ball, like he is capable of, and destructs the other teams not himself and his own team.
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8-22-2009 @ 11:33PM
Mr.G said...
I have to agree.Artest is a loser.It's Karma.He's just one of those guys who will NEVER be a champion.No matter how good the Lakers appear,there will be something (probably Ron himself) that dogs them,and some other team will dethrone them.So much bitterness from a guy who has everything but what he truly wants,to be a World Champion.It'll never happen.
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8-23-2009 @ 12:44AM
Walter Stayrook said...
As a follower of Ron's (96TruwarierQB)tweets, I am sometimes dazed and confused by his rhetoric. But, Shaq talks a lot of trash too. Never judge a player by his number of tweets or the number of his followers on Twitter. I usually look for the bling on his fingers. The upcoming season is Ron's chance to prove he is truly a player and not just a tweeter.
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8-23-2009 @ 1:06AM
Enrique said...
Ron Artest may be a strange guy, but is there anyone normal left playing in the NBA? No, not him, and not even that other guy you're thinking of. Shaq and LeBron make Artest look SANE.
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10-09-2009 @ 4:24PM
Max_In_Missouri said...
"Shaq and LeBron make Artest look sane"???
I think you need to put the crack pipe down, ese
You're obviously a Fakers fan just looking to blindly defend anyone on your team and take shots at the starring players of what is probably the best team in the league this year.
8-23-2009 @ 3:50AM
lopjackie21 said...
I'm glad the Lakers got Ron Artest.....he is
the only dude that can stop that "King James"
dude...Lebron....LOL...!
GO RON ARTEST....GO GO GO LAKERRRRRRRS!
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8-23-2009 @ 6:41AM
serzane said...
Artest is a good player but he needs to keep his mouth shut....go lakers!!!!!
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8-23-2009 @ 7:37AM
Frank said...
Artest is a jackass!
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8-23-2009 @ 9:05AM
blaXXX !!! said...
"...So is Artest justified in holding a grudge against his former team, and threatening some sort of revenge against them for all of this? Of course not..."
This reads like it came straight from the keyboard of an Artest-hating, closed-minded, family member of some *nba front-ofc. personnel* who...
never played a day on an nba court, in his entire life.
Pollakoff...hopefully, you get a call from your employer one day/informing that you've been transferred to a Corp.-affiliate, and your seniority-clock starts all over.
Would you then email Ron-Ron an apology for the gobbledygook you wrote above?
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8-23-2009 @ 9:39AM
jmaneuv011 said...
He's basketball's answer to Gary Sheffield!
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8-23-2009 @ 12:58PM
blblbl3 said...
Artest reminds me of Rodman when he was 30.
A nut case, but an incredibly talented, intuitive player who is willing to do whatever it takes to win. Think about how he drove Kobe nuts in the playoffs. Players like Artest and Rodman are rare. They can shut down smaller and bigger players. On top of it all, he can shoot. He is a great addition to the Lakers. Look how Jackson handled Rodman. The same thing is going to happen with Artest. Artest is a nut case, but when it comes to basketball, he is a smart guy. He knows what it takes to win.
The has learned from the Detroit incident and has grown up.
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8-23-2009 @ 5:29PM
snyde said...
Um...Hate to break it to you but Rodman > Artest. By a LOT.
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8-24-2009 @ 1:58PM
greatskin101 said...
absolutely correct rodman is a future hall of fame defender on pistons, bulls, and lakers.
i ma not a laker fan, but you have to be stupid not to see that artest can bring some major defense to the lakers, not that they will need it in the western conference at all, no challengers in the west to their championship prospects 2010.
8-23-2009 @ 7:12PM
Giles said...
The media always claims Artest is angry, and asks athletes to pose pouting with fists clenched and arms flexed. Come back when you`ve got a story about one of these guys be content. That would be news!
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8-24-2009 @ 12:47AM
edman339 said...
Why do people keep saying artest led houston into the second round and that he was the main reeason we gave the lakers so much trouble? The main reason we gave the lakers so much trouble was because of scola's toughness, brook's speed, and battier's d. As a Rockets fan i watched most of the games last year and artest would just hog the ball ,dribble out the clock and take a bad shot most of the time. Sure he had a handful of games were his offensive game was on point, but even his d was only slightly above average thru most of the season. It was clear that he had lost a step from his days in sacramento. Artest is overrated... nuff said.
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8-24-2009 @ 2:13AM
lopjackie21 said...
I like Ron Artest....!
GO LAKERRRRRS!