MANILA, Philippines - Ron Artest would’ve been the fall guy if the Los Angeles Lakers lost to Boston in Game 7 of the NBA Finals at the Staples Center yesterday morning (Manila time).
But the Celtics collapsed down the stretch and Artest was a key reason for the demise. Artest, who will never live down his infamous role in the ugly 2004 brawl involving Indiana and Detroit, scored 20 points on 7-of-18 field goals and added five rebounds and five steals in 46:01 minutes. More importantly, he held Boston star Paul Pierce to only 5-of-15 from the floor and outscored “The Truth” by two points.
Artest, 30, is known as a lock-down defender and a “high-maintenance” head case. He began his pro career in 1999-00 with the Chicago Bulls and had stops in Indiana, Sacramento and Houston before signing a five-year $33 Million contract with the Lakers to join Kobe Bryant this season.
A colorful character with a flair for the dramatic, Artest has worn different jersey numbers throughout his career, including 23 for Michael Jordan, 91 for Dennis Rodman, 93 for “infinite intensity,” 96 (because “there were 96 buildings in my neighborhood” in Queens, New York) and now 37 (because Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” album was No. 1 for 37 straight weeks in the US charts).
“I think I’m representing greatness wearing No. 37,” said Artest. “And I’m No. 1 in my life.”
In the Finals, Artest saved his best for last. He scored 15 in Games 1 and 6, both of which the Lakers won, but had only six points (on 1-of-10 field goals) in Game 2, two points in Game 3, nine in Game 4 and seven in Game 5.
Artest was brought into the Lakers lineup when negotiations broke down to return Trevor Ariza. Two years ago, Artest offered himself to the Lakers after L. A. was beaten by Boston in the Finals. He walked into the Lakers dressing room and spoke to Bryant about moving in. Bryant was naked in the shower when Artest broached the idea. But it didn’t happen until this season.
Artest and Lakers reserve Lamar Odom have been pals since they were 12. They were Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) teammates. It was Odom who made Artest’s transition nice and easy.
Despite his checkered past, Artest was welcomed by Lakers coach Phil Jackson because of his reputation as a hard-nosed defender and intense competitor. Jackson had no answer for Pierce in the 2008 Finals and with Artest, he found a more than adequate match-up.
Before the season, here’s what a scouting report on Artest said: “He has long wanted to play in the Laker gold and is said to enjoy a relationship of strong mutual respect with Bryant. He will give the team the physical presence at small forward that the Lakers lacked when they tried to match up with Pierce in the 2008 Finals. Artest also has some experience in the triangle offense from his early days in the league as a Chicago Bull.” As it turned out, the report was right on the money.
Waffle Marketing president Auty Villarama said yesterday he is proposing an Artest tour of Manila next month after his trip to Beijing to promote the Chinese sneaker brand Peak. Artest and Lakers teammate Sasha Vujacic are Peak endorsers.
“We’ve had initial discussions with Ron’s group and there is definite interest in a Manila tour,” said Villarama. “Ron is open to do product endorsements and conduct basketball clinics at any level. More than anything, Ron wants to visit Manila because he has many Filipino friends in Los Angeles.”
Villarama said Artest often asks his Filipino neighbors to cook adobo for him. “Ron loves Filipino food and is a huge halo-halo fan,” added Villarama.
It is rumored that Artest is courting a Filipina in Los Angeles and developed a liking for Filipino food during visits to her home. He is also a great fan of Manny Pacquiao.
Always ready to play 100 percent on the floor, Artest said a coach must be able to motivate players to step up.
“I think it’s true that a few players don’t give 100 percent,” he said. “But you have to blame the coach and the organization. A player has to play for his coach and if he’s not, the coach isn’t doing his job to make him play hard. For me, the best coach is a coach that manages a team to play hard every game at all times. You don’t have to be a screamer, just demanding. Coaches who scream a lot, it looks like they’re in a lot of panic. It just looks like they’re under too much pressure.”