Second Thoughts
Posted on Sunday, October 22, 2006
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/adg/Sports/170408/
Artest says he’s gotten a bad rap
Ron Artest has been tarnished by his unpredictable, out-of-control behavior over the past few years in the NBA, but he believes he can prove the doubters wrong.
“I’ve got music to be heard,” he said. “Obviously, some people will judge me from my past. But I can make music. I want everyone to know about my life and relate to me and see that I’m very approachable and easygoing.”
Artest is striving to gain more respect in hip-hop and give many a better understanding of himself on his new album, “My World.” He raps about his personal experiences, world issues and partying in clubs, while also expressing his thoughts about participating in one of the worst brawls in U. S. sports.
In 2004 while with the Indiana Pacers, Artest charged into the stands toward a Detroit Pistons fan, claiming he was hit in the face with a cup of ice, and exchanged punches with other fans. He was suspended for 73 regularseason games and the playoffs. (last season, he was traded to the Sacramento Kings )
“When people actually listen to the album, they’ll say to themselves, ‘Wow, I didn’t know that he felt this way,’” Artest said. “It’s like I’m a totally different person on this album.” They said it New England Patriots strong safety Rodney Harrison, to Sports Illustrated after he was voted the dirtiest player in the NFL in an SI poll: “I’m not dirty. I’m a hardnosed football player. I play to the whistle. I’m not going to be your friend. I don’t want to go to parties with you. I don’t need you. Guys think I’m dirty because I play football the old-school way.”
Harrison, on playing basketball: “I was a point guard. I was better at basketball than football, but football suited me. If you knock somebody’s head off on the court, it’s a foul and you’re probably going to get ejected. In football I can assert my personality.”
Atlanta Falcons offensive tackle Wayne Gandy, on getting no respect: “If we score a touchdown, the running back gets the credit. But if we give up sacks, we get the blame. We can’t win. That’s why we kind of like to stay anonymous.” Minnesota Timberwolves star Kevin Garnett, on the NBA’s crackdown on backtalk: “The fact that you can’t really speak to the ref and the refs don’t want to hear it, that’s almost like communism. That’s like Castro, you know what I’m saying ?”
Greg Norman, on the state of golf: “The sport has become stagnant. Players need to bring the spirit back. There have always been great players to bring people to the game to lighten it up so that it’s not so serious.” Buyer beware
“George Steinbrenner has spent $ 1 billion on player salaries for his New York Yankees during the past six years. And what has that gotten him ?” writes Kevin Baxter of The Miami Herald.
“Not so much as one measly championship ring !
“ Boy, talk about inflation. But then again, maybe Steinbrenner just isn’t a wise shopper. If he had invested a little more prudently, his $ 1 billion could have funded two Space Shuttle flights (not including peanuts ); bought Happy Meals for everyone in Indonesia; or provided minimum-wage jobs to each man, woman and child in Georgia — the country, not the state — for 45 years.”
QUOTE OF THE DAY “We’re in the driver’s seat in the SEC. We’re the only team undefeated. So let’s try to win the conference.” Arkansas Coach Houston Nutt