Ron Artest is the Man

There's more to this interview, but it's not posted on youtube yet. Artest talks about how fighting was a part of basketball when he played in high school and on the streets, but he's done with that now. He tells a story where his friend was killed during a game. Incredible. He's grown up. And he really has. I become a bigger fan of this guy the more I see him. I don't think he should have been tossed last night, and it's clear if the Rockets are going to pull this upset he is going to have to stay on the court.

I don't think there is a bigger bad ass in the NBA today. You got to love how Barkley always jokes about guys who get in each others faces during a game, and he always says, "Ernie, these guys are lovers... They can't fight." But when it comes to Ron Artest, Barkley says, "He can play with me anytime." Talk about respect.

And Artest isn't just some tough guy, he can play. He carried them to the Game 1 win and had 25 points before being wrongfully tossed last night. If he is further punished it will be a crime. The league is looking at Ron, Kobe, and Fisher heading into Game 3.

Best series in the playoffs right now, hope you're staying up and watching it.

Side note: If you were going to make a Top 10 list of NBA players you would not want to fight, would Artest be on there like 4 times? 5?

Off the top of my head...
1. Ron Artest
2. Ron Artest
3. Ron Artest
4. Ron Artest
5. Kenyon Martin
6. Dwight Howard
7. Reggie Evans
8. Kendrick Perkins
9. Nene (he's got to know jui-jitsu)
10. Udonis Haslem


-Keefe