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Wednesday, December 15, 2004
Sayson: Artest’s interim career: From backboards to billboards
By Homer Sayson
Second Overtime
RON Artest might not qualify as a role model, but he is now officially a male fashion model.
The suspended Pacer joined Kevin Bacon, Naomi Campbell, Cam’ron, Karolina Kurkova and Charlotte Ronson as among the over 40 Rocawear spokesmodels, who spent a couple of days posing for photos for print ads last week, reports Elliot Harris of the Chicago Sun-Times.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Artest’s modeling career would fit like a glove. After all, he has a fabulous physique and rugged good looks, never mind if his IQ may be as low as a nun’s hemline.
Rocawear is owned by rapper Damon Dash, a long-time pal of Artest. The clothing line issued a statement saying it is “excited to have Ron Artest as part of the brand and the new ad campaign.”
The Pacers, however, are not nearly as thrilled. Without Artest, and his two other still-suspended brethren (Jermaine O’neal and Stephen Jackson), Indiana has lost seven straight games and has dropped down to 10-10 in the competitive Eastern Conference Central Division.
Although the Pacers support Artest wholeheartedly, they must be brokenhearted to see their power forward not on the practice floor but on billboards and fashion runways instead.
Meanwhile, Artest and company are still awaiting word on whether arbitrator Roger Kaplan will reduce the suspensions, which the NBA Players Association contends to be severely stiff.
Should Kaplan indeed reduce the suspensions, the NBA will challenge the ruling before the Unites States federal court. NBA lawyers will argue that NBA Commissioner David Stern’s legal authority to impose punishment on players’ on-court behavior is firmly etched in stone, as provided for by the 1999 NBA collective bargaining agreement.
But arbitration is the least of Artest’s problems.
Back at the Oakland County in Auburn Hills Michigan, site of the now infamous Nov. 19 brawl, prosecutors have proceeded to file criminal charges against Artest and his vigilante teammates. Although the said chargers are only misdemeanors, the reigning NBA Defensive Player of the Year would still need a very good defense attorney to avoid jail time.
TO BE YOUNG AND STUPID. When Chicago hosted Dallas at the United Center last night, the Bulls created a perfect climate for success. They shot 52.6 from the field, they outrebounded the Mavs and they held sizzling-hot Dirk Nowitzki to just 4 of 18 from the field.
Amazingly, the Bulls, as only they can, plucked defeat from the jaws of victory.
With 27 seconds left in the game, the Bulls were protecting a 90-89 lead. With the shot clock winding down, Eddie Curry (20 points and six rebounds) hoisted a lame jumper from the left baseline. The ball barely grazed the rim but the Bulls grabbed the offensive rebound. Instead of just melting the game clock with 17 seconds remaining the Bulls inexplicably hurried another shot, which missed and allowed Dalls to regain possession.
Eddie Curry then fouled Michael Finley, although the Bulls did not have to because they were still up by one point. Curry apologized for the bonus, telling Chicago coach Scott Skyles “he did not know the time and the score.”
After Finley (27 points, five rebounds) converted two free throws to give Dallas a 91-90 lead, Ben Gordon nailed a 3-pointer that put the Bulls up, 93-91, with 7.9 seconds left.
You figure that the worst thing that could happen to the Bulls was go into overtime. But after Nowitzki split his charities, nobody boxed out Josh Howard, who grabbed the offensive rebound and eventually paved the way for Finley’s game-winning jumper.
The knock on the Bulls has always been about their youth. Maybe we ought to put stupidity in that equation too.
KING JAMES STRIKES AGAIN. Sophomore sensation LeBron James played his 100th NBA game last night and King James marked the occasion with yet another royal performance. James scored 31 points, gave eight assists and had a personal-best seven steals as Cleveland beat the Grizzlies at the FedEx Forum at Memphis, 92-86.
At 13-8, the Cavs are on phase to make a playoff appearance after barely missing the post-season last year.
Speaking of marvelous performances, Shaquille O’neal had 40 points and 12 rebounds to lead Miami past the Washington Wizards, 106-83.
Shaq’s new team is now 16-7 while the Lakers are 12-8.
Hello, Kobe Bryant.
(homsay@hotmail.com)
(December 15, 2004 issue)
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