ESPN : Kings' Artest apologizes, returns to squad after arrest

[Nico]

You have to follow the liknk because there's a video of ron's speech. He was crying.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2794038

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Five days after his arrest on suspicion of domestic violence, Ron Artest said he'd stumbled as a father and husband -- and the Sacramento Kings announced they would let the volatile player return to the team.
"First, I want to apologize to my wife, to my family," Artest said Saturday.
He then lowered his head and fought back tears for nearly a minute before continuing. "I want to apologize to the Kings, to my teammates, to the NBA, everybody."

"I definitely want to apologize for my behavior even to the ... whole NBA, all the players, because the league is doing so well right now ... and Ron Artest once again is in the media for something other than basketball and I apologize." --Ron Artest

The Kings had excused Artest indefinitely Tuesday from all team activities, one day after he was arrested at his home in a Sacramento suburb. A woman called 911 and said she had been assaulted, and a police report said Artest had slapped the woman's face and grabbed her repeatedly, causing visible injuries on her hand and leg.
At the hastily called news conference to announce Artest would play Sunday against the Denver Nuggets, Artest promised to begin volunteering with domestic violence groups in Sacramento and said he would work to repair his personal life.
"I definitely stumbled by what happened with my family, and I took a step back as being a father and a husband, and I'm looking forward to the day when I can make that right," he said.
Professionally, Artest also said he was sorry for once again giving the NBA a black eye.
"I definitely want to apologize for my behavior even to the ... whole NBA, all the players, because the league is doing so well right now ... and Ron Artest once again is in the media for something other than basketball and I apologize."
Artest is best known as the central figure in the 2004 brawl between Indiana Pacers players and Detroit Pistons fans. He received a 73-game suspension and lost almost $5 million in salary for jumping into the stands and slugging it out with the public.
Artest and teammate Stephen Jackson were sentenced to one year of probation and 60 hours of community service after pleading no contest to misdemeanor assault charges stemming from the 2004 brawl.
In January, Artest was released from that probation.
Geoff Petrie, the Kings' president of basketball operations, said he deliberated for five days before deciding to allow Artest to return to the team after the latest incident.
"Obviously, the events of this last Monday remain a very, very serious issue going forward," Petrie said. "However at this point in time and place we feel it's important for Ron to come back and participate and rejoin the team and start playing again."
Petrie did not say what would happen if Artest is formally charged with a crime or convicted.
"Fundamental to our decision, really, to initiate Ron's return to the team, is based on the principle, the underlying principle, that the presumption of innocence still stands -- not just for Ron, but for all of us."
Artest faces a March 22 arraignment. He was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence and using force or violence to prevent a woman from reporting a crime. He was released later the same day after posting a $50,000 bond.
Although he named NBA Commissioner David Stern several times in his apology, he said he has not spoken to the commissioner since he was arrested.
In the two games while Artest was banished, Sacramento beat the Indiana Pacers and lost to the San Antonio Spurs. The Kings began the weekend just one game behind the Los Angeles Clippers for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.
Artest, acquired 14 months ago in a trade with Indiana, is the Kings' second-leading scorer. He averages 18.7 points, 6.6 rebounds and 3.2 assists.
Artest described his five-day absence as a tough time, but one he used to clear his head and "to breath a little."
Asked if the latest incident would be a distraction on the court, Artest said he doubted his play would be affected.
"That's not a problem," Artest said. "The hardest problem is everything else. Basketball, that's easy."
Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press

For those who want to boo him tonight give me you ticket ! (send me also a Paris to Sacramento ticket lol)

Really i think it's the better way to solve this problem.
I remember also that ron childhood was not so great, his father had problems with domestic violence too, as far as i know.

Please forgive him, at least now he's not guilty so don't boo him.

 

[Troy]

You have to follow the liknk because there's a video of ron's speech. He was crying.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2794038



Where's the video of Ron's speech? I'm not finding it on the espn link.

 

[Elise10]

Here:
http://www.news10.net/video/player_news10.aspx?aid=36974&bw=

 

[Nico]

it's on the top right of the page. you have to clik on it

 

[Troy]

Here:
http://www.news10.net/video/player_news10.aspx?aid=36974&bw=

Thanks so much Elise for the direct link to the video conference! Ron looked genuine. It's so much more valuable to see a person speak words then have the media put their spin on it and quote what they want to quote and often take things out of context.

This has been a very trying year for the Kings and the fans:

1)new coach who doesn't have much full charge experience and replaces 1 of the games best in Adelman..he does talk to talk and the Maloofs hire him based on his interview which probably involved a good amount of Power Point presentation data and the viewing of his volumes of strategy archives

2) New coach before coaching his 1st regular season game gets a DUI arrest.

3) Team changes from offensive to defensive focus and struggles due to not having a team made up of good defensive players...RA said that you need the players to be a good defensive team and players certain players can only do so much and will still be lacking (ie Bibby & Miller)

4) Bibby and Artest are said not to get along & team is not in sync with each other (heap of spare parts, no cohesion)

5) Bibby is highly marketed, but the deal didn't present itself so he's still here

6) Artest arrested on Domestic Abuse charges and is put on leave indefinately by GP.

7) To be seen, Ron is back for Denver game and his court date is coming soon 3/22.

After all of this, we are very much in the playoff race and have played good as of late, I didn't watch the Denver game yet, but they are a good team (better talent then us currently), but we did win 5 of the last 6 games, before are current 2 game losing streak to SA and Denver. We did give SA a great fight and I believe with Ron in the game and having his head there woul d have made the difference on Manu alone who killed us.