http://www.sacbee.com/100/story/98052.html
The picture is no clearer
Ron Artest doesn't shed light on his playing status - or his status as a King.
By Sam Amick - Bee Staff Writer
Published 12:00 am PST Monday, December 25, 2006
Ron Artest sat in a chair at the Kings' practice facility Sunday, once again doing what he has become so good at of late:
Answering and raising questions about his situation at the same time.
Asked about his aching knees and whether he would miss a third consecutive game on Wednesday against Philadelphia, the small forward said to a television reporter: "Why you ask that question? Those were the only two games I was supposed to sit out.
"Those were the only two games I was sitting out."
He then was asked about a Los Angeles Times report stating Artest wants out of Sacramento and quoting a high-ranking Clippers official saying the Kings and Clippers are discussing a trade of Artest for Corey Maggette.
"That's great," he said.
Great?
"I mean it's news, whatever," he said. "No, that's not true. I just said it's not true. You just asked me how did I feel about wanting to get traded out of Sacramento, and it's not true. I don't want to get traded out of Sacramento. Not at all. I'm a great player. A lot of teams want me. ... I wouldn't fault any media people for believing those reports ... (but) those reports are false."
Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie did not return calls for comment. Kings coach Eric Musselman declined comment. Neither Artest's agent, Mark Stevens, nor Maggette's agent, Rob Pelinski, returned a call for comment.
What seems clear, however, is that Artest's recent behavior is no better understood within the Kings' locker room than it is outside of it.
Numerous sources close to the team say Artest has been acting very emotional and unpredictable for some time, including a rant after the Kings' loss to Dallas last Monday in which he was "on the brink of tears," a shouting match with a teammate during practice weeks ago, and one stretch in which he "didn't talk to (his teammates) for four days."
Artest was close to joining the Clippers last season and has said he was thrilled about the prospect of going there. After he demanded a trade from Indiana, a deal putting Maggette with the Pacers and Artest with the Clippers fell through when Maggette failed a physical. Artest -- who is a huge fan of Clippers general manager Elgin Baylor -- said during the summer that he was told by Stevens, his agent, that the deal was done. He signed a six-month apartment lease in Los Angeles and looked forward to the side benefit of expanding his rap music career in the large market. He even met with Baylor and coach Mike Dunleavy, preparing to join his "new team" in practice in the following days.
When the Kings were close to acquiring Artest, Stevens issued a statement indicating Artest did not want to come to Sacramento, though Artest later said he did.
Maggette, meanwhile, has switched roles with Artest from the scenario of nearly a year ago. The Clippers, who entered the season with high expectations but are 11-15, reportedly are looking for the sort of impact trade the Kings made in acquiring Artest. In early December, Maggette through his agent requested a trade.
Financially, the two players' deals are nearly identical. Maggette is making $7 million this season, $7.8 million next season and has a player option for 2008-09 that would pay him $8.4 million. Artest is earning $7.1 million this season, $7.8 million in the next and has a player option for $8.4 million in 2008-09.
For now, Artest remains a King. And after he complained of back soreness during Sunday's practice, Musselman again hopes to get his team healthy. Shooting guard Kevin Martin still is experiencing swelling in his sprained right ankle. He didn't practice but is expected to play Wednesday.
Forward Shareef Abdur-Rahim was dealing with swollen knees and didn't practice, nor did forward Corliss Williamson (knees) and the left foot in which Brad Miller tore his tendon early this season was "tightening up," Musselman said.
"We're just looking forward to getting (Artest) back in the fold, and having a full complement of a roster," Musselman said.
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at samick@sacbee.com.
The picture is no clearer
Ron Artest doesn't shed light on his playing status - or his status as a King.
By Sam Amick - Bee Staff Writer
Published 12:00 am PST Monday, December 25, 2006
Ron Artest sat in a chair at the Kings' practice facility Sunday, once again doing what he has become so good at of late:
Answering and raising questions about his situation at the same time.
Asked about his aching knees and whether he would miss a third consecutive game on Wednesday against Philadelphia, the small forward said to a television reporter: "Why you ask that question? Those were the only two games I was supposed to sit out.
"Those were the only two games I was sitting out."
He then was asked about a Los Angeles Times report stating Artest wants out of Sacramento and quoting a high-ranking Clippers official saying the Kings and Clippers are discussing a trade of Artest for Corey Maggette.
"That's great," he said.
Great?
"I mean it's news, whatever," he said. "No, that's not true. I just said it's not true. You just asked me how did I feel about wanting to get traded out of Sacramento, and it's not true. I don't want to get traded out of Sacramento. Not at all. I'm a great player. A lot of teams want me. ... I wouldn't fault any media people for believing those reports ... (but) those reports are false."
Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie did not return calls for comment. Kings coach Eric Musselman declined comment. Neither Artest's agent, Mark Stevens, nor Maggette's agent, Rob Pelinski, returned a call for comment.
What seems clear, however, is that Artest's recent behavior is no better understood within the Kings' locker room than it is outside of it.
Numerous sources close to the team say Artest has been acting very emotional and unpredictable for some time, including a rant after the Kings' loss to Dallas last Monday in which he was "on the brink of tears," a shouting match with a teammate during practice weeks ago, and one stretch in which he "didn't talk to (his teammates) for four days."
Artest was close to joining the Clippers last season and has said he was thrilled about the prospect of going there. After he demanded a trade from Indiana, a deal putting Maggette with the Pacers and Artest with the Clippers fell through when Maggette failed a physical. Artest -- who is a huge fan of Clippers general manager Elgin Baylor -- said during the summer that he was told by Stevens, his agent, that the deal was done. He signed a six-month apartment lease in Los Angeles and looked forward to the side benefit of expanding his rap music career in the large market. He even met with Baylor and coach Mike Dunleavy, preparing to join his "new team" in practice in the following days.
When the Kings were close to acquiring Artest, Stevens issued a statement indicating Artest did not want to come to Sacramento, though Artest later said he did.
Maggette, meanwhile, has switched roles with Artest from the scenario of nearly a year ago. The Clippers, who entered the season with high expectations but are 11-15, reportedly are looking for the sort of impact trade the Kings made in acquiring Artest. In early December, Maggette through his agent requested a trade.
Financially, the two players' deals are nearly identical. Maggette is making $7 million this season, $7.8 million next season and has a player option for 2008-09 that would pay him $8.4 million. Artest is earning $7.1 million this season, $7.8 million in the next and has a player option for $8.4 million in 2008-09.
For now, Artest remains a King. And after he complained of back soreness during Sunday's practice, Musselman again hopes to get his team healthy. Shooting guard Kevin Martin still is experiencing swelling in his sprained right ankle. He didn't practice but is expected to play Wednesday.
Forward Shareef Abdur-Rahim was dealing with swollen knees and didn't practice, nor did forward Corliss Williamson (knees) and the left foot in which Brad Miller tore his tendon early this season was "tightening up," Musselman said.
"We're just looking forward to getting (Artest) back in the fold, and having a full complement of a roster," Musselman said.
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at samick@sacbee.com.
