http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/basketball/kings/story/14135951p-14964775c.html
Artest embraces fresh start
The newest King says he is focused on basketball and won't be a distraction.
By Joe Davidson -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Ron Artest touched ground in Sacramento well past midnight Sunday.
He wanted to head straight to the gym, to get some more work in, and it was officially the only time Kings players have had to restrain him.
Artest will get his first chance to unleash his game in his new digs, Arco Arena, today when he'll square off against Carmelo Anthony and the Denver Nuggets. In a wide-ranging news conference Monday afternoon at the Kings' practice facility, the mercurial forward with the soft tones, easy smile, outlandish game and controversial past said Kings fans can expect to see plenty more of what he's already provided his new club: Hustle and tenacity.
Artest, 26, said he will remain "true to myself" but he will concentrate solely on hoops this season. And he said he'll be careful of what he says in public.
"My public perception is what it is," Artest said. "Eventually people get to know you more and then they have another perception.
"I'm not trying to be something I'm not. It's going to be a different Ron Artest in Sacramento, one that is all about basketball. Before, I was doing music. I'll let that take a back seat now and put basketball first and do things that are not controversial or a distraction to my team."
From the first seconds of his Kings debut in Boston on Friday, Artest emerged as the team's top inside presence and its unequaled defender. He's still rounding into shape, but the early returns have been encouraging. Before Friday, Artest hadn't played since Dec. 6, with the Indiana Pacers. Artest said he asked for a trade after hearing of rumors that the Pacers and Kings were talking trade, a rumor that was unfounded but was nonetheless picked up across the country.
Still, Artest said upon hearing about the speculation, he immediately put on a purple suit for the karma.
"I wish it happened then. I had the colors on then," he said. "I was ready to come."
Artest said he is relieved to have found a new home.
"As much as I loved it in Indiana, I felt a lot of frustration there. Now I've got a lot of weight off my shoulders."
According to Artest, he was courted by several NBA players via cell phone in recent weeks, including Elton Brand of the Clippers and Carmelo Anthony of the Nuggets. But it was several phone conversations with Kings owners Joe and Gavin Maloof and Kings president of basketball operations Geoff Petrie that further sold him on Sacramento, never mind the statement his agent, Mark Stevens, issued to ESPN last week that nearly derailed the trade, indicating that Artest had no interest in the Kings.
"I really wanted to know if the Kings wanted me," Artest said. "When they said they did, I was like, 'Cool. I needed to hear that.' "
Artest said he could understand why some teams were leery on taking a chance on him.
"They don't know how I was going to act," he said. "The Maloofs decided to gamble. That was as honest as you can be. I wanted to go to a place where they were willing to take the gamble. Other (teams) were iffy, iffy, iffy. They were nervous or scared. But (the Maloofs) said, 'We think you can make a difference.' I said, 'Yeah, that's cool.' "
Petrie didn't use the word cool once Monday, but did admit to being pleasantly surprised at how Artest has played.
"Under the circumstances, it's pretty remarkable," Petrie said. "To be out that long and come back with no practice, to a new team, to go through the whole re-entry process and to perform like that, it says a lot. He's a terrific player.
"One thing about Ron, when he comes to the gym, he comes to work, to give his best effort."
About the writer: The Bee's Joe Davidson can be reached at (916) 321-1280 or jdavidson@sacbee.com.
Artest embraces fresh start
The newest King says he is focused on basketball and won't be a distraction.
By Joe Davidson -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Ron Artest touched ground in Sacramento well past midnight Sunday.
He wanted to head straight to the gym, to get some more work in, and it was officially the only time Kings players have had to restrain him.
Artest will get his first chance to unleash his game in his new digs, Arco Arena, today when he'll square off against Carmelo Anthony and the Denver Nuggets. In a wide-ranging news conference Monday afternoon at the Kings' practice facility, the mercurial forward with the soft tones, easy smile, outlandish game and controversial past said Kings fans can expect to see plenty more of what he's already provided his new club: Hustle and tenacity.
Artest, 26, said he will remain "true to myself" but he will concentrate solely on hoops this season. And he said he'll be careful of what he says in public.
"My public perception is what it is," Artest said. "Eventually people get to know you more and then they have another perception.
"I'm not trying to be something I'm not. It's going to be a different Ron Artest in Sacramento, one that is all about basketball. Before, I was doing music. I'll let that take a back seat now and put basketball first and do things that are not controversial or a distraction to my team."
From the first seconds of his Kings debut in Boston on Friday, Artest emerged as the team's top inside presence and its unequaled defender. He's still rounding into shape, but the early returns have been encouraging. Before Friday, Artest hadn't played since Dec. 6, with the Indiana Pacers. Artest said he asked for a trade after hearing of rumors that the Pacers and Kings were talking trade, a rumor that was unfounded but was nonetheless picked up across the country.
Still, Artest said upon hearing about the speculation, he immediately put on a purple suit for the karma.
"I wish it happened then. I had the colors on then," he said. "I was ready to come."
Artest said he is relieved to have found a new home.
"As much as I loved it in Indiana, I felt a lot of frustration there. Now I've got a lot of weight off my shoulders."
According to Artest, he was courted by several NBA players via cell phone in recent weeks, including Elton Brand of the Clippers and Carmelo Anthony of the Nuggets. But it was several phone conversations with Kings owners Joe and Gavin Maloof and Kings president of basketball operations Geoff Petrie that further sold him on Sacramento, never mind the statement his agent, Mark Stevens, issued to ESPN last week that nearly derailed the trade, indicating that Artest had no interest in the Kings.
"I really wanted to know if the Kings wanted me," Artest said. "When they said they did, I was like, 'Cool. I needed to hear that.' "
Artest said he could understand why some teams were leery on taking a chance on him.
"They don't know how I was going to act," he said. "The Maloofs decided to gamble. That was as honest as you can be. I wanted to go to a place where they were willing to take the gamble. Other (teams) were iffy, iffy, iffy. They were nervous or scared. But (the Maloofs) said, 'We think you can make a difference.' I said, 'Yeah, that's cool.' "
Petrie didn't use the word cool once Monday, but did admit to being pleasantly surprised at how Artest has played.
"Under the circumstances, it's pretty remarkable," Petrie said. "To be out that long and come back with no practice, to a new team, to go through the whole re-entry process and to perform like that, it says a lot. He's a terrific player.
"One thing about Ron, when he comes to the gym, he comes to work, to give his best effort."
About the writer: The Bee's Joe Davidson can be reached at (916) 321-1280 or jdavidson@sacbee.com.
