http://www.sacbee.com/351/story/135772.html
Are signs pointing to Artest's return?
The star could play in Sunday's game against the Nuggets.
By Sam Amick - Bee Staff Writer
Published 12:00 am PST Saturday, March 10, 2007
The "Tru Warier" is coming soon, or at least it says so on his Hummer.
As for Ron Artest's return? Stay tuned.
As midnight passed and brought an early Friday morning at Arco Arena, Artest's vehicle/billboard was parked in front of the team's practice facility. The windshield was intact, along with the custom black sidepanels that read, "Foul Monday ... Coming soon," referring to his musical production.
But although Artest's late-night shooting session might signal a quicker-than-expected return, Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie on Friday evening wouldn't rule out anything.
Asked if Artest would play Sunday against Denver or, on the other end of the spectrum, perhaps not return to the Kings this season, Petrie said: "I know that at some point there probably needs to be some sort of clarification, and there will be. It's just that one of the definitions of indefinite is 'unknown at this time.' That means at Friday at 5 o'clock, it's unknown at this time."
Yet all indications are that Artest's absence will be short, as the Kings have discussed the possibility of Artest returning Sunday. Artest was arrested Monday morning for alleged domestic violence.
Since then, Petrie has met repeatedly with Artest's legal counsel, with the latest session leaving the team executive weary during a trying time.
"I'm tired," Petrie said. "I'll admit to that. I'm tired."
And unsure of what will come next.
"We're certainly trying to get closer to seeing where we're going to go," he said. "We're working on it.
"I've had some discussions with his attorney, and obviously had discussions with his agent and with Ron, too. ... It's a serious situation going forward. I think things are going to be put in place to help him deal with it."
Asked if he was referring to counseling or other social services for Artest, Petrie said: "All those kinds of things will get addressed when they need to be. It's not my place right now to do that."
After hosting Denver, the Kings leave Monday on a five-game, seven-day trip. The Nuggets, though, present as vital a game as the Kings have had all season. Entering Friday, the Kings were in 10th place in the Western Conference, 1 1/2 games behind the eighth-place Clippers and two behind seventh-place Denver.
Although the Kings have already downed Denver twice this season, the Nuggets were missing Allen Iverson in one game and Carmelo Anthony in the other. Both are expected to play Sunday, meaning Artest's defensive presence would be missed. There was certainly a void Thursday night, when San Antonio reserve guard Manu Ginobili scored 31 points in the Spurs' win at Arco Arena.
"That's what Ron brings to the team," forward Corliss Williamson said. "He's a defensive stopper."
Williamson had a key 21 points in the loss to the Spurs, then found another way to fill in for Artest on Friday when he assumed the role of soothsayer.
"We definitely feel like we're going to make the playoffs," Williamson said. "The position we're in, the way we're playing right now -- sharing the basketball, making the effort to play team defense -- we're definitely going to give ourselves a shot at making the playoffs. We really believe we can do it."
With or without Artest.
"Right now, you can't really think about who's going to be on the court and who's not," shooting guard Kevin Martin said. "Whoever's on the court, you've just got to be ready."
Williamson said he had shared text messages with Artest but was waiting like the rest of his teammates to learn when he might share the floor with him again.
"He seemed to be OK," Williamson said. "Of course, it's still kind of fresh as far as what happened. Hopefully ... everything will work out for him."
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at samick@sacbee.com.
Are signs pointing to Artest's return?
The star could play in Sunday's game against the Nuggets.
By Sam Amick - Bee Staff Writer
Published 12:00 am PST Saturday, March 10, 2007
The "Tru Warier" is coming soon, or at least it says so on his Hummer.
As for Ron Artest's return? Stay tuned.
As midnight passed and brought an early Friday morning at Arco Arena, Artest's vehicle/billboard was parked in front of the team's practice facility. The windshield was intact, along with the custom black sidepanels that read, "Foul Monday ... Coming soon," referring to his musical production.
But although Artest's late-night shooting session might signal a quicker-than-expected return, Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie on Friday evening wouldn't rule out anything.
Asked if Artest would play Sunday against Denver or, on the other end of the spectrum, perhaps not return to the Kings this season, Petrie said: "I know that at some point there probably needs to be some sort of clarification, and there will be. It's just that one of the definitions of indefinite is 'unknown at this time.' That means at Friday at 5 o'clock, it's unknown at this time."
Yet all indications are that Artest's absence will be short, as the Kings have discussed the possibility of Artest returning Sunday. Artest was arrested Monday morning for alleged domestic violence.
Since then, Petrie has met repeatedly with Artest's legal counsel, with the latest session leaving the team executive weary during a trying time.
"I'm tired," Petrie said. "I'll admit to that. I'm tired."
And unsure of what will come next.
"We're certainly trying to get closer to seeing where we're going to go," he said. "We're working on it.
"I've had some discussions with his attorney, and obviously had discussions with his agent and with Ron, too. ... It's a serious situation going forward. I think things are going to be put in place to help him deal with it."
Asked if he was referring to counseling or other social services for Artest, Petrie said: "All those kinds of things will get addressed when they need to be. It's not my place right now to do that."
After hosting Denver, the Kings leave Monday on a five-game, seven-day trip. The Nuggets, though, present as vital a game as the Kings have had all season. Entering Friday, the Kings were in 10th place in the Western Conference, 1 1/2 games behind the eighth-place Clippers and two behind seventh-place Denver.
Although the Kings have already downed Denver twice this season, the Nuggets were missing Allen Iverson in one game and Carmelo Anthony in the other. Both are expected to play Sunday, meaning Artest's defensive presence would be missed. There was certainly a void Thursday night, when San Antonio reserve guard Manu Ginobili scored 31 points in the Spurs' win at Arco Arena.
"That's what Ron brings to the team," forward Corliss Williamson said. "He's a defensive stopper."
Williamson had a key 21 points in the loss to the Spurs, then found another way to fill in for Artest on Friday when he assumed the role of soothsayer.
"We definitely feel like we're going to make the playoffs," Williamson said. "The position we're in, the way we're playing right now -- sharing the basketball, making the effort to play team defense -- we're definitely going to give ourselves a shot at making the playoffs. We really believe we can do it."
With or without Artest.
"Right now, you can't really think about who's going to be on the court and who's not," shooting guard Kevin Martin said. "Whoever's on the court, you've just got to be ready."
Williamson said he had shared text messages with Artest but was waiting like the rest of his teammates to learn when he might share the floor with him again.
"He seemed to be OK," Williamson said. "Of course, it's still kind of fresh as far as what happened. Hopefully ... everything will work out for him."
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at samick@sacbee.com.
