By David Pincus
October 24, 2005
[email protected]

Title: The New and Improved Ron Artest

        If you have wondered what exactly the new and improved Ron Artest is
like, consider his latest move: posing on the December version of Penthouse
Forum. Most athletes could pretty much get away with this (if it were Derek
Jeter, his Q-rating would go up). Artest has a very troubled past and
should've avoided the cover shoot if he had any sense. But Ron Artest and
logic don't go together that well.
Ron Artest has truly the most unique personality in the NBA, mainly because
more than anything, I just get a sense of ignorance from him. Listening to
him speak after he ran into the Pistons' stands genuinely makes me think he
doesn't know better. Some might remember that only a couple days before the
Palace incident Artest was suspended a game for asking the year off to
promote his upcoming rap album (which tanked tremendously by the way). When
Carlisle himself called Artest ignorant, Ron said something along the lines
of, "what does that mean?" It's funny; not knowing what ignorant means is
like not ever hearing the word esoteric.
In his 10+ months away from the game, Artest has no doubt avoided the
therapy and treatment we all think he needs for photo shoots and whatever
else he does in his free time. For his sake, I hope he has improved his
antics; the NBA has by far the harshest penalties of any league, and Artest
could easily be the prototype for happens to a player beyond a 1-year
suspension.
Artest is like Sprewell, Fortson and Rodman rolled into a tight package. Ron
Artest is the best Small Forward in the NBA when he's either healthy or
able, but fans won't be quick to like him again after he spoiled Reggie
Miller's last season. The spotlight hasn't been good for Artest, and this
year's will be bigger than ever before. If there's one person who deserves a
dress code, it's Artest, who needs a big a perception boost in the eye of
the public. Had his album come out before the brawl, it might've at least
ranked higher than 13,000th on Amazon.com. Maybe the denial of money will
persuade him, if nothing else.