Ron Ron Speaks Out

by Tommy Dee on November 25th, 2009 at 9:05 am

NY Post
Daily News

“…In a morning shootaround rant at the Lakers complex, Artest told three New York writers, “I think people need to stop being scared and just go to New York. They’re so scared of the pressure and the media. I’m like, pardon my language, but [bleep] the media and [bleep] everyone that’s putting pressure on them.

“That’s the one thing I hear from the players recently,” added Artest, who signed with the Lakers in July. “People don’t want to play in New York. They fear having a bad game, fear the fans. If somebody does go there, you got to be able to have a heart…”

Speaking of Artest, Berman twists, he wanted to play for New York, but didn’t receive a phone call from Donnie Walsh.

“…Artest also revealed he wanted to sign with the Knicks when he became a free agent July 1, but never got the call from his former boss, Knicks president Donnie Walsh…”

Obviously, the Knicks weren’t interested in anything more than a one-year deal, and Artest wants to win a championship, hence why he signed thru 2014. Judging from the looks of it, he’s having a good time in LA.

I love Artest and his game (LaSalle, Ron’s high school, is a CHSAA “A” school), he’s like the NBA’s Sean Avery. But, he wasn’t signing for a year, not when he could have gone to play with Kobe or Lebron.

Another good nugget here:

“…Artest thinks (Lebron) James is built mentally to handle the NYC scrutiny. Artest hopes it happens, because he wants to face the Knicks for the championship.

“I know [LeBron] could,” Artest said. “It’s going to be huge. It would be a huge thing to see L.A. and New York in the championship. Someone’s going to New York.”

We talked about the exact same topic with Chris Manning of thelakersnation last night on TKB Radio, and as you know I agree with Artest’s assessment.

  • The_Guy

    I heard in response to all the love and street cred he got for pushing
    Rajon Rondo in the back on Sunday, Eddy Curry in another brazen display of fire and toughness, pimp slapped a Laker girl last night.

  • HaS

    More speculation. Until Bron- Bron “speaks out” I’m not hearing any of this crap. It’s not like these people are saying these things unprovoked, they’re constantly asked about 2010 by the NY media so that they can write a story about it. Don’t be gullible.

  • m-ea$y

    I love ron artest he aint the most athletic or the fastest or even the most talented he just WORKS HARD….. we passed on him in the draft and didnt even make a play for him when he said he WANTED to be here
    damn shame

  • MrFurious

    Players will go where they get paid and a chance to win. If they fear the media or a small subset wild eyed armchair fans then they are probably better off in Milwaukee or Memphis.

    As for Lebron, or any free agent for that matter, what’s the point of this consistent nonsensical speculation? No one KNOWS anything. Unless it comes from the player himself, what’s the point? When the season is over, we shall see who is going where…until then it’s just words that fill inches of some sports writer or bloggers columns.

  • MrFurious

    Dead horse…meet “The_Guy,” he will continue beating you today.

  • http://theKnicksBlog.com Tommy Dee

    Yes, no one knows anything.

    just like no one really knows that D”antoni can’t win a championship

    Like no one knows Jordan Hill is going to have a FAR inferior career to Brandon Jennings

    Like no one knows that Eric Gordon and Brook lopez are going to dominate and Gallo is going to be less effective.

    Got it.

  • http://theKnicksBlog.com Tommy Dee

    And I totally agree….just pointing things out like the rest of y’all.

  • itzyung1

    OK you guys have problems Ron Ron said Lebron is built mentally to take NY he never said Lebron was coming. Also if we would of not had Curry and Jeffries contract I know for a fact Ron Artest would be home right now.

  • itzyung1

    hahaha

  • HaS

    If _’antoni ever wins a championship in the NBA without altering his stubborn, arrogant, insufferable ego when it comes to his offense and his flippant attitude toward defense, I will eat my 1985-86 Patrick Ewing jersey.

  • HaS

    Or without hiring a defensive coordinator*

  • http://theKnicksBlog.com Tommy Dee

    haS: ” You’re right Tommy. I chastise you for speculating, and don’t really know that coach D’Antoni can’t win a champioship”

    “it’s just my opinion.”

    Tommy: “I respect your opinion haS.”

  • http://theKnicksBlog.com Tommy Dee

    :) Happy Thanksgiving

  • HaS

    One opinion (LeBron is coming to NY) is based on what someone might think of doing based on several factors most of which are non-basketball related (we should all hope, due to the fact that the team and roster sucks).

    The other opinion (_’antoni is never going to win a championship) is based on his track record and the history of the NBA postseason.

    But hey, who would’ve thought there would ever be a black president? It only took a couple of centuries, so there IS hope.

    One day an offensive minded coach whose main focus is to outscore you, pressure you WITH the ball, overwhelm the other team by bombing from the outside, running off makes and misses could win the championship. First one of those coaches/teams have to make it to the Finals, which hasn’t happened yet. Which in my mind means we’re still a ways away from seeing it.

    “It’s just my opinion.”

  • HaS

    Happy Native American Holocaust to you too, Tommy. :-)

  • illsun

    ohh, i get it HaS.

    your gimmick is to b*tch about everything. cool.

  • HaS

    Not at all. I went on a nice little streak where I agreed with Tommy, he only acknowledges me when I don’t agree with him though. We have a love/hate relationship (pause) lol

  • http://theKnicksBlog.com Tommy Dee

    i don’t have any hate in my body.

    there’s no agree-disagree on this one.

    everyone should be allowed to speculate…

    it’s fun.

    i know you like it, you do it in every post about D’Antoni.

    You really feel it.

    doesn’t mean it’s true.

    and I agree with people saying it about me…but hey, it’s how i feel.

  • http://theKnicksBlog.com Tommy Dee

    two things…I am SURE the suns would have won had they not been cheated in San Antonio. They were the better team and no team in the east was ready.

    speculation, but gut feeling

    two- i’ve stated a MILLION times, that lebron’s decision will be based on what he has LOGGED ON HIS ROSTER moving forward if they don’t manage to win this year.

    that’s an on court, basketball related argument…

  • The_Guy

    That’s right. Hey Seabiscuit, get your ass over here!!

  • HaS

    This is true.

    The only reason I don’t want to speculate and make it a forgone conclusion that LeBron will be changing uniforms next year is I don’t want to get my hopes up only to be crying into my beer at the end of the free agency signing period.

    Coupled with the fact that I haven’t seen anything thoroughly convincing to make m believe he would make such a choice.

  • HaS

    The Knicks roster is terrible. So that’s why I say him coming HERE would not be solely a basketball decision.

  • NashWonder

    U guys really want Ron Ron? He’s not the same player he once was.

  • Mal

    Tommy
    I agree they were a hip check away from a title. The Knicks just dont have the horses to win with his style and even if Lebron came I dont think that is enough.

    Now if they were to get CP and Amare also maybe and LeBron and CP would put the owness on personnel to play defense. BUt we wont get CP or Lebron maybe Amare and Joe Johnson MAYBE

  • BobbyFromBK

    Agreed. He wanted in the worst way to be a Knick. To me, another blunder by old man Walsh.

  • Bob

    wait tommy,everyone knows that jordan hill will have a far inferior career than brandon jennings,you cant just lump everything together,and everyone knows that barring injury,GALLO is gonna be better than both those guys…uh …you were saying?