Re: NBA or WWE you decide...
 

For those of you who may not have seen it this morning or heard, Ron Artest was interview live today on the Today Show. 10 minute interview for him to explain his part of the situation.

And for those of you who do not know, Ron Artest is not like many of the "other players" in the NBA who have criminal records or long spans of violence. (Ron Artest has no criminal record or has been in trouble with the law like the "fan" who threw the cup.) Ron Artest grew up in a very rough neighborhood in New York (I think) and had severe rage problems. He was recommended to play basketball to help him control himself. He is a very passionate and agressive player. He is a very good family guy and good with children away from the court, just gets into trouble and sometimes gets out of control.

He deserves to be suspened for games, but not for the rest of the season or forever. He tries really hard to have a positive attitude about everything.


Interview requires Internet Explorer and Windows Media Player.


Note: The NBA players union has filed their appeal for the suspensions of Ron Artest, Stephen Jackson and Jermaine O'Neal.

Re: NBA or WWE you decide...
 

And herein lies the problem with Mr. Artest, he lacks reposibility and regret for the incident. In fact, by the end of the interview you can tell he feels justified in what he did. I watched the whole 11 minute interview and never did he show any signs of remorse.

He then plugged his new rap cd; claiming it was about love. He was also wearing a hat and t-shirt from his record label. He plugged his new CD 3 times during the interview; more times than he showed regret. Incredibly untactful!

I don't even think I have to comment on this.

This seems to be the reason for his frustration, or you could say- justification, for what he did.

Accountability? He either feels as though he was disciplined, or he feels as though he shouldn't self incrimitae himself. Unfortunately for him, he doesn't come off as a guy where the elevator goes to the top floor so I'm guessing he feels he acted with discipline.

First Artest claims that he didn't want kids to see it and blames "you" [Matt Lauer, NBC, the media] for showing it.
Basically, he's saying to the kids that if you're disrespected that it's "okay" to go to war with someone. If someone disrespects you it warrants the penalty of death. This is all perfectly normal, as long as you move on and stay positive about you going to war with someone.

This whole experience has really showed me the importance of FIRST. Could you imagine some kid having Ron Artest as a role model? If Ron Artest is a role model, I'm Charles Manson.

Re: NBA or WWE - NEITHER!!!!
 

The Indiana teams should take advantage of the situation and turn their tragedy into something positive. I.E. “When life gives you lemons – make lemonade”

Go to the Pacers and ask them to pump up their tarnished image by doing something worthwhile – for a change! I.E., Sponsor FIRST!!!

With the money they save on Atsest’s salary alone, they can afford to enter every team in one more regional. Throw in Jackson, O’Neal, Johnson, and Miller and you can fund 724 new teams next year. If that’s not enough to start a team in every Indiana high school, I think the Pistons will be able to afford the difference.

WOW! What a screwed-up sense of priorities there are in America!