Artest is really sorry!

[Dunthreevy]

Ron Artest has displayed more maturity about his mistakes than a lot of Pacers fans. Let that soak in for a bit.

[mizzoupacers]

^ No, he hasn't. Although with less vitriol, I pretty much have to agree with Writerman here. I guess it's better to apologize too late than not at all, but let's be real here, it's way too late to say he's sorry.

If Artest came back and played for the Pacers at the minimum salary, and actually behaved himself...that would be a true act of contrition. But even if he wanted to do that, it couldn't happen because the Pacers would never have him on the team again, ever.

[Dunthreevy]

^ No, he hasn't. Although with less vitriol, I pretty much have to agree with Writerman here. I guess it's better to apologize too late than not at all, but let's be real here, it's way too late to say he's sorry.

If Artest came back and played for the Pacers at the minimum salary, and actually behaved himself...that would be a true act of contrition. But even if he wanted to do that, it couldn't happen because the Pacers would never have him on the team again, ever.

Meanwhile we'll continue to muddle at the lower tier of NBA teams because our "fans" won't let the past be the past.

[Baseline Runner]

Although I'm a Cavs fan that Indiana team was my second favorite team at the time. You guys had an amazing defensive team lead by Artest, O'neal and Jackson and I honestly think you were the best team in the league that year and could have won it all. It was such a shame but while there is no excusing Artest for his behavior, let's remember Artest was basically attacked by Detroit fans. In those situations everything is thrown out the window and it comes down to man to man, mano a mano. You can't blame a man for retaliating when when attacked completely unprovoked.

[writerman]

Dunthreevy, it's easy for Ron-Ron with his shiny new ring (compliments of Kobe, Pau, and others) to be santimoniously magnaminous and throw the peasants a few crumbs.

I'm not buying it. Screw him and the horse he came in on.

[Boneman2]

Dunthreevy, it's easy for Ron-Ron with his shiny new ring (compliments of Kobe, Pau, and others) to be santimoniously magnaminous and throw the peasants a few crumbs.

I'm not buying it. Screw him and the horse he came in on.

I don't know Writerman. I think Ron-Ron is sincere because he first spoke to Ken Berger in an article published May 30 ( the article I posted). Couple this fine article with Ron's post-game comments and I buy it. Ron still calls Indiana home because the community loved him.

Blame it all on Ron if you want, but nobody blamed Al for wanting out the second time. It's the exact same set of circumstances. The problem was RC's unwillingness to allow our offense any freedom. It always had to run through JO, and for what, a 17' brick. Those were Reggies shots imo. All of these players had a problem with RC's authority over the offense, remember the play cards for JT on every other possession. Even though we had other scoring options (Reg, Ron, Jax, Al) our blackhole on offense affected the teams chemistry. How can anyone deny there was not a rift between the players. There were reports of division within the locker room, compliments of RC.

You blame it on Ron, and I'll go with Richard.

Phil Jackson called Ron the MVP. Good job Ron.

[Miller4ever]

When Ron went into the stands, he didn't just rob Reggie of a championship, or Indiana. He also robbed himself of one. He earned this one, and he deserves it.

The man has suffered through the hatred of many, many people. He feels like **** because of it. He didn't intentionally destroy the franchise. He didn't intend to get suspended for a season. He didn't intend to take away a championship opportunity for one of the game's best ever without a ring. If he could, I'm sure he would take it back. It's all in the past now, and what he's done since then hasn't merited the mud we still sling at him.

That being said, I logically shouldn't, but I hate Ron Artest.

[Kuq_e_Zi91]

I don't hate Ron. In fact, I was happy to see him win a championship. And not just ride on the backs of Kobe and Pau, but play a pretty big role in Game 7. He deserved it, he earned it, he should enjoy it. Good for you, Ron.

[mizzoupacers]

Meanwhile we'll continue to muddle at the lower tier of NBA teams because our "fans" won't let the past be the past.

Oh, it's the fans' fault...LOL. More fun with twisted logic.

I don't hate Artest either, because sports entertainment isn't worth that. I think there are times, though, when saying you're sorry isn't enough, and this is one of those times. Artest saying he is sorry really doesn't do anything to help the Pacers recover from the mess he made. It's sort of like an arsonist telling you he's really sorry he burned down your house when you're preoccupied with putting a new roof over your head.

[Boneman2]

Meanwhile we'll continue to muddle at the lower tier of NBA teams because our "fans" won't let the past be the past.

Oh, it's the fans' fault...LOL. More fun with twisted logic.

I don't hate Artest either, because sports entertainment isn't worth that. I think there are times, though, when saying you're sorry isn't enough, and this is one of those times. Artest saying he is sorry really doesn't do anything to help the Pacers recover from the mess he made. It's sort of like an arsonist telling you he's really sorry he burned down your house when you're preoccupied with putting a new roof over your head.

Logically you're correct Mizzou, but why did you have to pull Reggie's X-wife into this lol.


Maybe the mess was not so transparent and we see the mess as the brawl started by Ron. Upon further review the mess was created when Larry Bird was hired and Zeke was fired. Not from the standpoint that it wasn't the right move, but in the manner in which it was done, underhanded. I guess it didn't matter who the next coach was, his road was going to be tough because of the father figure/buddy relationships between Zeke and his players. I only fault Carlisle because he knew the situation and gracefully backdoored his way into it because of Bird. The fact Rick was in kahoots with his buddy is why I still hold him accountable for the breakdown in the lockerroom.

You don't move on w/o understanding what went wrong, it is the only way to correct mistakes. Living in the past would be if I was saying, " Man the 04', 05' & 06' Pacers could have pulled off the three-peat." See the difference?

[Miller4ever]

Rick Carlisle was a coach of the year previous, and got us to 61 wins. Perhaps not a good long-term coach, but would Isiah Thomas have been?

[Scoot McGroot]

^ No, he hasn't. Although with less vitriol, I pretty much have to agree with Writerman here. I guess it's better to apologize too late than not at all, but let's be real here, it's way too late to say he's sorry.

If Artest came back and played for the Pacers at the minimum salary, and actually behaved himself...that would be a true act of contrition. But even if he wanted to do that, it couldn't happen because the Pacers would never have him on the team again, ever.

Meanwhile we'll continue to muddle at the lower tier of NBA teams because our "fans" won't let the past be the past.

Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. Fool me three times, and I start to get pissed off. Fool me four times, and I'm looking for my gun. Fool me five times.....well, I guess that's what Dunthreevy is arguing for.