http://www.sacbee.com/100/story/144104.html
Ailene Voisin: Breaking point has arrived
By Ailene Voisin - Bee Sports Columnist
Published 12:00 am PDT Monday, March 26, 2007
While his team engaged in strange and unusual behavior Sunday afternoon -- actually playing a terrific game against the visiting Phoenix Suns -- Geoff Petrie was distracted by, of all things, the same old things. More of those same old Ron Artest things.
Today's topic: retirement.
Tomorrow's subject: Who knows?
The possibilities are endless, though the one thing that can be said with certainty, that was perhaps the most significant development of the day, is that Petrie finally has had enough, seen enough and heard enough.
"He's (Artest) under a lot of scrutiny," the Kings' basketball president acknowledged when approached in the tunnel area, "(but) he's at a point in his career where he needs to be a better keeper of his soul in some ways. ... There's a limit to where any of us can go to be your brother's keeper. ... There is no team that needs continuous distractions."
In Petrie speak, that's the equivalent of an ultimatum. Artest must change, or he changes addresses. The Kings have tired of the act, lost patience with the player who, within 14 months, has driven the team into the (2006) playoffs and, more recently, driven almost everyone within the organization to distraction. The malnourished dog incident. The domestic violence arrest. The missed practices. The strained relationship with teammates. The occasional flareups with coach Eric Musselman.
And now, hours after published reports indicate Artest is mulling retirement, The Bee's Sam Amick has learned the veteran small forward also is contemplating a possible escape overseas.
France. Italy. Germany.
Petrie suddenly sounds tempted to buy the ticket.
"Ron is under a lot of pressure off the court and on the court, the way the team is playing," Petrie continued in his typically measured tone, "and anybody who knows Ron, knows he tends to get into these stream-of-consciousness kinds of things. In the big picture, down the road, if that's something he thinks is best for him ... again, it's one of those things, it's his decision to make. It's still a matter of conjecture."
The fact that Artest was unavailable for comment before and after Sunday's game only furthered the intrigue and, unfortunately, detracted from one of his teammates' most impressive outings of the season. The same fans who booed the Kings off the floor last week were caught totally by surprise, yet they responded accordingly, remaining on their feet for the closing minutes and enthusiastically applauding the effort. These were the Kings as envisioned before the season, running and dunking, passing and defending, playing together, as if they genuinely cared about each other. These were the Kings impersonating a team -- a playoff team -- even after Kevin Martin's departure with an eye injury.
Mike Bibby established a franchise record with nine three-pointers, including two late jumpers that secured the victory. Francisco García, John Salmons and Corliss Williamson executed the old "weave" offense with surprising effectiveness.
Musselman remained upbeat, engaged. And Artest, who is producing one of his best seasons statistically, scored 24 points, grabbed nine rebounds and dominated with his typically bruising defense.
Trouble is, living with Artest also is a typically bruising experience. On the court, he's a constant irritant. Off the court, he's a chronic disruptor, as well. Indeed, asked to interpret their teammate's latest revelation, the reactions ranged from compassion to irritation. Salmons was speechless; he simply stared into the cameras with an impenetrable look and just kept shaking his head. Bibby refused to comment. García allowed only that he was "shocked." Williamson, the locker room sage, wondered aloud about the timing. He says he suspects Artest is succumbing to the pressure caused by the recent developments.
"You get between those four lines," said Williamson, thoughtfully, "and all you have time to do is focus on the game. Some people can block out other distractions, off-court issues, and others can't. Being on the court is a very positive place for Ron."
About the writer: Reach Ailene Voisin at (916) 321-1208 or avoisin@ sacbee.com.
Ailene Voisin: Breaking point has arrived
By Ailene Voisin - Bee Sports Columnist
Published 12:00 am PDT Monday, March 26, 2007
While his team engaged in strange and unusual behavior Sunday afternoon -- actually playing a terrific game against the visiting Phoenix Suns -- Geoff Petrie was distracted by, of all things, the same old things. More of those same old Ron Artest things.
Today's topic: retirement.
Tomorrow's subject: Who knows?
The possibilities are endless, though the one thing that can be said with certainty, that was perhaps the most significant development of the day, is that Petrie finally has had enough, seen enough and heard enough.
"He's (Artest) under a lot of scrutiny," the Kings' basketball president acknowledged when approached in the tunnel area, "(but) he's at a point in his career where he needs to be a better keeper of his soul in some ways. ... There's a limit to where any of us can go to be your brother's keeper. ... There is no team that needs continuous distractions."
In Petrie speak, that's the equivalent of an ultimatum. Artest must change, or he changes addresses. The Kings have tired of the act, lost patience with the player who, within 14 months, has driven the team into the (2006) playoffs and, more recently, driven almost everyone within the organization to distraction. The malnourished dog incident. The domestic violence arrest. The missed practices. The strained relationship with teammates. The occasional flareups with coach Eric Musselman.
And now, hours after published reports indicate Artest is mulling retirement, The Bee's Sam Amick has learned the veteran small forward also is contemplating a possible escape overseas.
France. Italy. Germany.
Petrie suddenly sounds tempted to buy the ticket.
"Ron is under a lot of pressure off the court and on the court, the way the team is playing," Petrie continued in his typically measured tone, "and anybody who knows Ron, knows he tends to get into these stream-of-consciousness kinds of things. In the big picture, down the road, if that's something he thinks is best for him ... again, it's one of those things, it's his decision to make. It's still a matter of conjecture."
The fact that Artest was unavailable for comment before and after Sunday's game only furthered the intrigue and, unfortunately, detracted from one of his teammates' most impressive outings of the season. The same fans who booed the Kings off the floor last week were caught totally by surprise, yet they responded accordingly, remaining on their feet for the closing minutes and enthusiastically applauding the effort. These were the Kings as envisioned before the season, running and dunking, passing and defending, playing together, as if they genuinely cared about each other. These were the Kings impersonating a team -- a playoff team -- even after Kevin Martin's departure with an eye injury.
Mike Bibby established a franchise record with nine three-pointers, including two late jumpers that secured the victory. Francisco García, John Salmons and Corliss Williamson executed the old "weave" offense with surprising effectiveness.
Musselman remained upbeat, engaged. And Artest, who is producing one of his best seasons statistically, scored 24 points, grabbed nine rebounds and dominated with his typically bruising defense.
Trouble is, living with Artest also is a typically bruising experience. On the court, he's a constant irritant. Off the court, he's a chronic disruptor, as well. Indeed, asked to interpret their teammate's latest revelation, the reactions ranged from compassion to irritation. Salmons was speechless; he simply stared into the cameras with an impenetrable look and just kept shaking his head. Bibby refused to comment. García allowed only that he was "shocked." Williamson, the locker room sage, wondered aloud about the timing. He says he suspects Artest is succumbing to the pressure caused by the recent developments.
"You get between those four lines," said Williamson, thoughtfully, "and all you have time to do is focus on the game. Some people can block out other distractions, off-court issues, and others can't. Being on the court is a very positive place for Ron."
About the writer: Reach Ailene Voisin at (916) 321-1208 or avoisin@ sacbee.com.
