http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/basketball/kings/story/14064621p-14895507c.html
Marty Mac's world: There's only one word to describe Artest
By Martin McNeal -- Bee Columnist
Published 2:15 am PST Thursday, January 12, 2006
Just after Sunday night's blowout victory over the Kings at Arco Arena, former Sacramento and current Indiana Pacers guard Anthony Johnson spoke about his team's mentality entering the game.
"I think that was the first time getting a win here since I played here," said Johnson, who started at point guard for the injured Jamaal Tinsley. "We were desperate for a win."
The man said his team was desperate. The man's team played as if it was desperate. And then there were the Kings.
The Pacers know desperation because it was their team that was torn apart last season after a Nov. 19, 2004, fight at the Palace of Auburn Hills in a game against Detroit.The central figure in that fracas was swingman Ron Artest, who was suspended for the season's remainder.
A season later, Artest's behavior has landed him on the team's inactive list as Pacers management attempts to find the best trade for the talented but troubled star, who asked to be dealt. Of course, since that trade request, the all-world defender changed his mind and said he wanted to stay with Indiana, but Pacers CEO Donnie Walsh and president of basketball operations Larry Bird said it was too late.
Johnson, who with Jermaine O'Neal and Stephen Jackson also received substantial suspensions from the league for their roles, talked about the back-to-back whammies his team has incurred.
"I would have to say last season was the wildest ever," he said, "but I'd definitely have to say this season is a close runner-up. ... You would hope that after last season, lessons would be learned and maturity would show up."
Johnson, who has been rumored to be a figure in any number of trade scenarios, talked about Artest's relationship with the Pacers.
"He's unbelievable, to be politically correct," said Johnson, who played his 1997-98 rookie campaign with the Kings before moving on to Atlanta, Orlando, back to Atlanta, Cleveland and New Jersey before playing the past two seasons with the Pacers. "He's just unbelievable."
Johnson was asked if he thought his teammates still had love for Artest.
"I think a lot of people are being politically correct (about Artest)," Johnson, 31, said. "He's like Halloween every day, just full of surprises."
Marty Mac's world: There's only one word to describe Artest
By Martin McNeal -- Bee Columnist
Published 2:15 am PST Thursday, January 12, 2006
Just after Sunday night's blowout victory over the Kings at Arco Arena, former Sacramento and current Indiana Pacers guard Anthony Johnson spoke about his team's mentality entering the game.
"I think that was the first time getting a win here since I played here," said Johnson, who started at point guard for the injured Jamaal Tinsley. "We were desperate for a win."
The man said his team was desperate. The man's team played as if it was desperate. And then there were the Kings.
The Pacers know desperation because it was their team that was torn apart last season after a Nov. 19, 2004, fight at the Palace of Auburn Hills in a game against Detroit.The central figure in that fracas was swingman Ron Artest, who was suspended for the season's remainder.
A season later, Artest's behavior has landed him on the team's inactive list as Pacers management attempts to find the best trade for the talented but troubled star, who asked to be dealt. Of course, since that trade request, the all-world defender changed his mind and said he wanted to stay with Indiana, but Pacers CEO Donnie Walsh and president of basketball operations Larry Bird said it was too late.
Johnson, who with Jermaine O'Neal and Stephen Jackson also received substantial suspensions from the league for their roles, talked about the back-to-back whammies his team has incurred.
"I would have to say last season was the wildest ever," he said, "but I'd definitely have to say this season is a close runner-up. ... You would hope that after last season, lessons would be learned and maturity would show up."
Johnson, who has been rumored to be a figure in any number of trade scenarios, talked about Artest's relationship with the Pacers.
"He's unbelievable, to be politically correct," said Johnson, who played his 1997-98 rookie campaign with the Kings before moving on to Atlanta, Orlando, back to Atlanta, Cleveland and New Jersey before playing the past two seasons with the Pacers. "He's just unbelievable."
Johnson was asked if he thought his teammates still had love for Artest.
"I think a lot of people are being politically correct (about Artest)," Johnson, 31, said. "He's like Halloween every day, just full of surprises."
