s_knight8

http://www.indystar.com/articles/0/193786-5890-036.html

Indiana Pacers forward Ron Artest thought he could take time off from his
day job anytime he needed.

He was wrong.

Before Tuesday night's game at Minnesota, Artest was benched for two games
for what Pacers coach Rick Carlisle called conduct that "compromised the
integrity of the team."

Artest said he spoke to Carlisle about taking time off to rest his body and
handle some off-the-court business, possibly related to his fledgling record
label.

Both men made it clear that Artest was not suspended, meaning he did not
lose any salary.

"I did speak to him," Artest said Wednesday night before the Pacers' 102-68
loss to the Los Angeles Clippers at Conseco Fieldhouse. "I said it the wrong
way. There wasn't that much harm done. He just decided to sit me for two
games."

Carlisle wasn't as willing to elaborate about the details of Artest's latest
dust-up. Some Pacers officials even disputed Artest's version of the
incident that led to his benching, though they declined to offer details.
Pacers president Larry Bird would only say that it was a team issue that
would be handled by Carlisle.

"I think I've made a statement about it," Carlisle said. "It's pretty clear
and concise and as much as I'm going to comment about it. This isn't the
Cuban missile crisis. It's not life or death. It's not about national
security. It's just simply about a group of guys needing to remind
ourselves, all of us, about the sanctity of team and what it's about. And
I'm going to leave it at that."

Last season Artest missed two games due to suspensions from the NBA. It was
an improvement from the previous season, when he was suspended five times by
the NBA and once by the Pacers for a total of 12 games.

Artest defended himself Wednesday night during a strange 4-minute, 21-second
media gathering in front of his locker.

He spoke of injuries to his shoulder, knee and feet that have bothered him
since training camp.

He also said he has overextended himself in recent weeks trying to handle
on- and off-court business, including time spent finishing and promoting his
rap CD, which will be released Nov. 23.

bozak

fishing???

brink

<snip>

oh man this is hilarious... and the story doesn't even include the most
hilarious comment i've heard from an athlete since iverson's "practice?" and
sheed's "both teams played hard"...

they were showing a clip of him last night defending himself to reporters
and i swear he says

"coach said i did something to 'hurt the integrity of the team'... i don't
even know what that word means. i've been meaning to ask someone, ask my
father... i don't even know what integrity is."

classic stuff.

dave & janelle

his


Gimme a L
Gimme a O
Gimme a S
Gimme a E
Gimme a R

and I'm supposed to shell out top coin to see this clown play?

bozak

nothing will ever come close to "company time"...
if i made 25 mill a year im pretty sure every minute of my existence would
be company time... :-)

swillabrew

Someone should ask him if his problems stem from ignorance or apathy. He
would probably say, "I don't know & I don't care."
: )

Go Blazers !

blazer fan dan

s_knight8 <s_knight8nospam@hotmail.com> scribbled:


so...ron asks for time off, and is punished by...getting PAID time off?

--

"if the women don't find you handsome, you haven't bought them enough
beer."

swillabrew

Yet another sure sign this economy is surging.

Go Blazers !

swyck

So... he got what he wanted didn't he? DOH! Sounds like the Pacers
are trying to spin this around so it doesn't sound like they caved
into his demands

Swyck

dc

Yeah, I didn't quite understand the punishment. Maybe Artest is actually a
genius.