Ron Artest: I Think The People In LA Are More Acceptable
July 9, 2009 – 5:30 am by Tas Melas
If this was Ron Artest of even two years ago, I would prolly start this little blurb off with something like, ‘Ron-Ron has showed he’s just a time bomb that ticks down to zero every couple months.’ I mean, this is LA we’re talking about! Considering Ron’s track record and then considering the huge market he’s headed for this fall, it wouldn’t have been idiotic to say that there’s another explosion coming. Fast forward to today – Ron had an incident-free year in Houston, he’s saying all the right things, and he truly seems like he’s matured a ton (as long as he keeps that small part of him immature, ’cause we all love it). The Lakers may be taking a small risk in messing with their chemistry, but Ron will make the Lake-show even more popular because of that wacky personality. Artest joined ESPN Radio in LA to discuss why he’s wearing the number 37, if he’s a better defender than Kobe, and Los Angeles fans in general.
When you approached Kobe in the shower after the Lakers lost to Boston in ’08, did you really think there was a chance you could be a Laker?
“I thought there was a chance, an opportunity, so I know if I had an opportunity, I didn’t wanna pass on it. I passed on it last year, possibly with a chance to win but I was with some great guys in Houston, I really love those guys. I knew if I had a chance to get that opportunity again, if it represented itself, I didn’t wanna let it pass. I think that’s why I’m here now, I’m just so happy to be here, to be a Laker.”
Don’t you think you and Los Angeles are a perfect fit?
“I think the people in LA are more acceptable of certain things – I don’t have to be in the closet so to speak (laughs). I can just kinda have fun, play hard basketball first, but have fun off the court. You know, in moderation, but just be a good person and entertain the fans and things like that, and win games at the same time.”
Who’s a better defender, you or Kobe?
“Well, I mean, in my prime I’d say I was, but now, I think we’re even. I think we’re different, different type of defenders – I’m probably better at defending the bigger guys. I’m 260-265, Kobe’s like 220 or 225, so he’s probably better at defending the quicker guys, and when it comes to like Carmelo (Anthony) and stuff like that, I’m probably good at defending those type guys.”
Why pick a jersey number representing the 37 weeks Michael Jackson’s Thriller album was at the top of the charts?
“I just thought it was it was interesting; I thought it was a cool idea. I let the fans pick the number and a lot of fans kept bringing up numbers that had to do with Michael Jackson. I’ll wear it for a couple years, maybe two to three years, I’ll wear the jersey and represent the greatest album of all-time.”
Listen to Ron Artest with Mason & Ireland on ESPN Radio in Los Angeles
Tags: Basketball, Houston Rockets, Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers, NBA, Ron Artest, Trevor Ariza
