New King Ron Artest Makes First Sacramento Appearance
Written for the web by C. Johnson, Internet News Producer
click on link: for Video Press Conference.
http://www.news10.net/storyfull2.aspx?storyid=15639
Video
Artest Press Conference
Occasionally cracking a wide smile and enthusing about "a lot more wins" in the Kings future, Ron Artest made his first appearance before the Sacramento media this afternoon.
Artest appeared following the Kings' return at the end of a dismal 1-5 road trip. Artest played his first two games with his new team Friday and Sunday and even though both were both losses, he said he is taking the positives from them and going forward.
Artest said the Kings have "a lot of tools here to intimidate a lot of teams." He added, "All the guys, Kings, the veterans, to me, we're going to have to step up on defense."
The 26-year-old Artest is one of the game's best defenders, having been named NBA Defender of the Year in the 2003-2004 season. He said before he was suspended in December 2004 for brawling with a fan, he felt "that was going to be one of my greatest seasons. I want to pick up where I left off."
The small forward has played in fewer than 30 games between his suspension for the remainer of the 2004-2005 season and this season, when the Indiana Pacers deactivated him after he publicly announced he wanted to be traded. Artest said his first focus now is basketball and getting in top shape to help out his new team.
Artest was traded to the Kings last week for the team's longest-tenured player Peja Stojakovic. The new King said he thought he was going to be coming to Sacramento a month ago. "I was ready to come," he said. "It didn't happen at that time, but I'm here now." He quipped he had even started wearing purple, the color of the Kings, when he sat out an Indiana game with a sore hand. He said he had on a purple suit in preparation.
Artest said he's ready to start contributing to the Sacramento franchise. "I feel I can still be dominant but not as much as I'm going to be in the future."
Local fans will see Artest play for the first time at ARCO Arena tomorrow night in a 7:30 p.m. match-up against the Denver Nuggets.
Written for the web by C. Johnson, Internet News Producer
click on link: for Video Press Conference.
http://www.news10.net/storyfull2.aspx?storyid=15639
Video
Artest Press Conference
Occasionally cracking a wide smile and enthusing about "a lot more wins" in the Kings future, Ron Artest made his first appearance before the Sacramento media this afternoon.
Artest appeared following the Kings' return at the end of a dismal 1-5 road trip. Artest played his first two games with his new team Friday and Sunday and even though both were both losses, he said he is taking the positives from them and going forward.
Artest said the Kings have "a lot of tools here to intimidate a lot of teams." He added, "All the guys, Kings, the veterans, to me, we're going to have to step up on defense."
The 26-year-old Artest is one of the game's best defenders, having been named NBA Defender of the Year in the 2003-2004 season. He said before he was suspended in December 2004 for brawling with a fan, he felt "that was going to be one of my greatest seasons. I want to pick up where I left off."
The small forward has played in fewer than 30 games between his suspension for the remainer of the 2004-2005 season and this season, when the Indiana Pacers deactivated him after he publicly announced he wanted to be traded. Artest said his first focus now is basketball and getting in top shape to help out his new team.
Artest was traded to the Kings last week for the team's longest-tenured player Peja Stojakovic. The new King said he thought he was going to be coming to Sacramento a month ago. "I was ready to come," he said. "It didn't happen at that time, but I'm here now." He quipped he had even started wearing purple, the color of the Kings, when he sat out an Indiana game with a sore hand. He said he had on a purple suit in preparation.
Artest said he's ready to start contributing to the Sacramento franchise. "I feel I can still be dominant but not as much as I'm going to be in the future."
Local fans will see Artest play for the first time at ARCO Arena tomorrow night in a 7:30 p.m. match-up against the Denver Nuggets.
