For his entire NBA career, Ron Artest has been “that guy”. That guy who admitted to drinking Hennessey before games; that guy who pulled down Paul Pierce’s shorts to keep him from getting open; that guy who applied for a job at Circuit City during his rookie year so that he could get an employee discount; that guy who jumped into the stands and attacked a fan; that guy who went on the Jimmy Kimmel Show in his boxers.
Many believe that he is crazy; others define him as an enigma. Whoever does is probably right; however, that is not necessarily a bad thing. Sure, Ron has made his mistakes (some more drastic than others, but who hasn’t? Especially someone who was a multimillionaire before even turning 20), but he has paid for them, learned from them and ultimately become a better person because of them.
No matter what people say, Ron is still the same Ron that he was when he entered the league 11 years ago; now, he’s just letting everyone see his other side; which is a caring and composed person and player. That’s not to say he’s gone soft. That’s out of the question. Ron is ALWAYS going to be the toughest player on the floor who makes the opposition work for every point they score that night. He will always play the game with a sense of urgency and a competitive mindset that is only upped by his just as fierce teammate, Kobe Bryant. He will always make people laugh with his matchless and outrageous sense of humor. If he stopped doing any of those things, he simply would not be Ron Artest.
Although Ron’s career has been highlighted by some not-so-high movements, people need to remember that it doesn’t matter where you begin – only where you finish. And Ron-Ron is setting the tone to do so in spectacular fashion.
Next: Early Years and the “Malice at the Palace”
After a few seasons in Chicago, which included a successful rookie campaign, Artest was traded to the Indiana Pacers, where he found his place in the league as a defensive menace and a capable offensive threat. In 2004, his contributions to the Pacers were recognized as he made the All-Star team as a reserve, was named to the all-NBA third team and took home the league’s Defensive Player of the Year Award.
Ron’s consistent display toughness, strength, defensive intensity and just a little bit of craziness was quickly making him one of the most feared players in the league. He was becoming a complete player and the Pacers were winning a ton of games.
Despite getting off to a rocky start to begin the 2004-05 season, Ron was finally back on track, and through seven games was averaging 24.6 PPG on just under 50 percent shooting. People were talking about him as a possible MVP candidate and it appeared that Ron was on his way to becoming one of the best players in the league.
However, one evening during a game in Detroit, things took a turn for the worst, and Artest’s career was changed forever.
It all began with a hard foul by Artest on a Ben Wallace dunk attempt during the ending moments of the game. In response to Artest’s ill advised foul, Wallace shoved him in the chest, causing an altercation to break out between the two teams. Artest, in an effort to calm down and stay away from any trouble, lied down on the scorer’s table while officials sorted everything out.
Yet, he would not be cool and composed for long, as a fan proceeded to throw a liquid-filled cup at the calming Artest. A retaliating Artest proceeded to enter the stands and attack the spectator he thought was responsible. From this, multiple players followed Artest into the stands and pandemonium ensued. Fans were spilling onto the court and debris was flying every which way.
Consequently, Artest was suspended for the rest of the season and was effectively labeled a bonafide cancer– a tag that he is still trying to shake off today.
Since that fateful day, Artest has been making a conscious effort to rid himself of that label. It has taken him awhile and a few trades, but it seems that Artest is finally in the right place as a Los Angeles Laker; not only in terms of setting, but for his mindset as well.
Next: The Lakers X-Factor
When it was announced that the young and electrifying Trevor Ariza was being replaced with Artest, who, just a few months prior had displayed his inability to keep his composure in key moments during the Lakers-Rockets semi-final matchup, mixed sentiments and a plethora of uncertainties swept the Lakers Nation. How many days would Ron last before his first outburst? Would he be able to give up his ball-dominating offensive style of play in favor of a role playing option in Phil Jackson’s triangle? Would he even understand the triangle? Essentially, it was decided that if the Lakers did not repeat as NBA champions, all the blame would fall on Ron-Ron.
Artest knew this going in too, and he agreed with it. “They won last year, and I’m the new addition,” he told the Associated Press prior to last season. “The fans expect to repeat. Everybody in L.A. expects a second ring. And if we don’t then yeah, they should point it right at me, throwing tomatoes and everything.”
However, Artest would finish the season tomato free; through his suffocating defense, buzzer beating shot to beat the Phoenix Suns in game 5 of the Western Conference Finals and 20-point performance in the final game of the NBA FInals, he helped the Lakers to their second title in as many years. Upon arriving in LA, Artest displayed a respect for Lakers’ superstar Kobe Bryant that it seemed to be the x-factor in his collected demeanor from the Lakers first game until purple and gold confetti was raining on the Staples Center’s floor. He was able to make it through the season without ever being hit with a suspension and his worst antics included hilarious Twitter rants and a poor shot-selection from time to time.
Following the Lakers championship victory, a jubilant Artest made a statement that exhibited even more of his high character as well as the secret to his newfound success.
“I’d like to thank my psychiatrist, Dr. Santhi. She really helped me relax,” he told ABC reporter Doris Burke during the Lakers’ postgame championship celebration.
Until this moment, it was widely unknown that Artest had been seeing a psychiatrist, and his announcement of it displayed a true incentive to get a stronghold on his life and keep everything in control.
Next: Moving Forward/Redemption
Since the day he gave credit to Dr. Santhi Periasamy, the woman who has helped him so much over the past few years (and gave the best post game interview in sports history), Artest has become more than just a basketball player, he has become a humanitarian – stressing the importance of talking to someone if you think that you need help and not being afraid to ask for it.
In mid-September, Artest made an appearance at Eastmont Intermediate School in Montebello, Calif. to promote federal legislation HR 2531, the Mental Health in Schools Act, and teach kids the importance of mental health, and to not shy away from getting assistance if they need it. Based on his prior antics and assumed craziness, he wouldn’t seem like the perfect candidate for this job; however, that is truly false, as Artest is someone we can all look up too, as very few people are able to admit they need help and make it a priority to find it – and Artest did.
Continuing to spread awareness regarding mental health, Artest has decided to auction off his championship ring, his first, with proceeds going to raise money for mental health counseling in schools.
In a lifestyle where any form of imperfection is blown up in the media, most people would have a difficult time confidently speaking of mental health issues in a public setting. However, as we all know, Ron Artest is not a normal human being; and now, Ron Artest is not just “that guy” who got a ticket while driving a formula one race car on side streets. He is “that guy” who is making a genuine difference in the world. Not with his stifling defense or unparalleled toughness, but with his heart and his experiences.