Five (e-mailed) questions with Ron Artest

[RIPskaterdude]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/dailydime?page=dime-080223-24&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab1pos1

Q: How big a letdown was it not to be traded?

A: The last time I went home to my hood, all my boys told me not to worry about any negativity and that God will bless whether it's basketball or a school teacher. So all the [trade speculation] didn't affect me at all. ... Sometimes the business of professional sports can be overwhelming, but at the end of the day you have to be grateful for being blessed.

Q: Why do you think you didn't get traded in the end?

A: I think due to my salary [of $7.4 million] it was hard to trade for me without losing out [in terms of equal value]. And none of the teams would give [up] one of their franchise players for a player who some of the public and some media gives a bad name. ... I'll bet on myself that next year there will be a happy team with Ron Artest.

Q: Now you have to decide whether to opt out of your contract to be a free agent in July or play out next season as a King. Do you know yet what you're going to do?

A: Although my agent would like the best deal for me come summertime, he feels the Kings showed loyalty in not trading me and supporting me through tough times with my family. So we most likely would be in Sac [for] another year.

Q: I'm sure you heard about Carmelo Anthony saying during All-Star Weekend that he was pushing for the Nuggets to trade you. What was your reaction?

A: When Melo said that, me and my wife thought that was great. Because with all the [negative] press, we thought no teams or [top] players would want to play with me. I am really an unselfish player and a good player when my mind is on it and if I had gone to Denver, I would have proved that and tried to contribute [toward] winning a ring.

I have so much more left in my body because the discipline I train with, but I don't think Denver would have had long-term money for me and I would have left at the end of a championship season ... My son wanted it to happen because he loves Carmelo. He has more of his jerseys than his own dad's.

Q: We heard some reports close to the deadline that Phoenix also might have been interested in you, too. Did you hear anything like that?

A: That would have been sick.

[BMiller52]

That was kind of rude that they asked him how much of a LET DOWN it was not to be traded. Like they were trying to bait him into a response that would piss off his team organization and teammates. ESPN does this crap all the time. They tried to get Vernon Davis to throw his 9er teammates under the bus on NFL live just a few days ago. It's freakin BS. Glad he gave an answer that basically said it wasn't a let down though.

He also says what ME AND SMILLS HAVE BEEN SAYING IN THE STUPID TRADE FORUM, and the Knicks forum etc... he will probably be here another year. If I'm Geoff I offer him an extension this year.

[pillwenney]

That was kind of rude that they asked him how much of a LET DOWN it was not to be traded. Like they were trying to bait him into a response that would piss off his team organization and teammates. ESPN does this crap all the time. They tried to get Vernon Davis to throw his 9er teammates under the bus on NFL live just a few days ago. It's freakin BS. Glad he gave an answer that basically said it wasn't a let down though.

He also says what ME AND SMILLS HAVE BEEN SAYING IN THE STUPID TRADE FORUM, and the Knicks forum etc... he will probably be here another year. If I'm Geoff I offer him an extension this year.

Couldn't have said it better myself. That's exactly why I don't watch BSPN unless a game I really want to see is on. The network is truly a disgrace to sports, especially basketball. Like seriously, what an obvious ploy on their part. F**k them. I hope the network as a whole somehow jumps off a cliff.

[SacKingZZZ]

It should be an interesting summer for sure. One that will define where the team will be at for the next 2-3 years. Maybe even longer.