Friday, July 3, 2009
Controversy
Artest has been a subject of frequent controversy. In his rookie season with the Chicago Bulls, he was criticized for applying for a job at Circuit City in order to get an employee discount. He once attended a practice with the Indiana Pacers in a bath robe. He was suspended for two games in the early 2004–05 season by Pacers coach Rick Carlisle after he allegedly asked for a month off because he was tired from promoting an R&B album for the group Allure on his production label. Artest had also been suspended for three games in 2003 for destroying a television camera at Madison Square Garden, and for four games for a confrontation with Miami Heat coach Pat Riley in 2003. He has also been suspended several times for flagrant fouls.
At the start of the 2004–05 season, Artest changed his uniform number. When he played for the Pacers, he wore the number 23 in a tribute to NBA legend Michael Jordan. For the 2004–05 season, he wore the number 91, a tribute to Dennis Rodman, another controversial basketball player from the late 1980s and 1990s. After being suspended for the remainder of the season because of his involvement in the Pacers–Pistons brawl, Artest reverted to the number 15, one he wore for the majority of his basketball career. He switched to number 93 after being traded to Sacramento Kings, because he said it represents the Queensbridge projects where he grew up, with "9" representing "Q" in Queens and "3" representing "B" in Bridge. He was also inspired by Souls of Mischief's 1993 album 93 'til Infinity. He changed his number to 96 at Houston Rockets.
In October 2005, Artest, fully clothed, was featured on the cover of Penthouse, along with three bikini-clad models.
At the start of the 2004–05 season, Artest changed his uniform number. When he played for the Pacers, he wore the number 23 in a tribute to NBA legend Michael Jordan. For the 2004–05 season, he wore the number 91, a tribute to Dennis Rodman, another controversial basketball player from the late 1980s and 1990s. After being suspended for the remainder of the season because of his involvement in the Pacers–Pistons brawl, Artest reverted to the number 15, one he wore for the majority of his basketball career. He switched to number 93 after being traded to Sacramento Kings, because he said it represents the Queensbridge projects where he grew up, with "9" representing "Q" in Queens and "3" representing "B" in Bridge. He was also inspired by Souls of Mischief's 1993 album 93 'til Infinity. He changed his number to 96 at Houston Rockets.
In October 2005, Artest, fully clothed, was featured on the cover of Penthouse, along with three bikini-clad models.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Ron Artest
Ronald William "Ron" Artest, Jr. (born November 13, 1979) is an American professional basketball player who is currently a free agent in the NBA, though he has agreed to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers. Artest gained a reputation as one of the league's premier defenders as he won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award in 2004.
Artest will sign with the Los Angeles Lakers as reported by ESPN on July 2, 2009. The deal is for three years and $18 million.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)