Ron “Too Black, Too Proud” Artest Responds to Yao Ming

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• Ryan Jones Posted: Jul.31 at 10:39 am
  Ron Ron and Battier are gonna be BFFs.

• Ryan Jones Posted: Jul.31 at 10:39 am
  If they’re not already.

• Squirrel7 Posted: Jul.31 at 10:42 am
  I thought that was supposed to be response to what Yao said? He didn’t really address anything Yao said!

• James_White Posted: Jul.31 at 10:42 am
  So T-Mac and Skip aren’t black enough?

• Squirrel7 Posted: Jul.31 at 10:42 am
  *a response (dammit, can’t type today! Or any day……)

• Eboy Posted: Jul.31 at 10:43 am
  In-fuc*ing-credibly-ridiculously-fabulous!!!!! Gangsta to the 1,000,000th power!!!!!!!!!!!

• eric g Posted: Jul.31 at 10:44 am
  Obviously, CNN should have consulted with Ron before shooting their “Black in America” special.

• Joel O's Posted: Jul.31 at 10:47 am
  Title contenders?

• TADOne Posted: Jul.31 at 10:48 am
  I wonder if Yao will be on the next album?

• Joel O's Posted: Jul.31 at 10:51 am
  Stunning and typically Artest. But imho not the best first impression, don’t you think?

• ber Posted: Jul.31 at 10:51 am
  he’s definitely representing the ghetto culture to the fullest.

• Wendy Posted: Jul.31 at 10:52 am
  You all, according to the sacbee, Yao has called Artest to clear things up:
  http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/sports/kings/archives/014225.html
  Among the relevant revelations… * Artest said Yao called to clear up the matter and proclaimed himself “a Yao Ming soldier babyyyyyy!.” * He admitted that Yao’s comments regarding the brawl “hit me in the soft spot when I read that.” * He said he’s even considering a trip to China support Yao with Team China, then quickly made it clear that he is rooting for Team USA for the gold.

• eric g Posted: Jul.31 at 10:52 am
  Ron-Ron and Battier = Two Face

• Jukai Posted: Jul.31 at 10:53 am
  This is a FANTASTIC day for basketball news

• Jukai Posted: Jul.31 at 10:53 am
  Damnit, I was hoping to have all this documentation done before lunch but that ain’t happening. Way to go, SLAM

• Captain America Posted: Jul.31 at 10:53 am
  Rafer v. Ron-Ron

• Captain America Posted: Jul.31 at 10:54 am
  Coach Rick couldn’t have planned this better…Pow!

• Joel O's Posted: Jul.31 at 10:56 am
  And, regarding Squirrel7’s comment, Ron didn’t address anything that Yao said, really. Yao mentioned teamwork, chemistry, talent and the need for Ron to channel his energy into something constructive, not destructive. I just hope that for Ron-Ron’s sake, he gets his sh*t together on the court soon.

• Eboy Posted: Jul.31 at 10:58 am
  Uhm….Yao said that he hope’s Ron’s still not going into crowds to fight. Ron responsed by saying he stays ghetto and that’s not going to change. How is that not a direct response?

• Khalid Salaam Posted: Jul.31 at 11:00 am
  houston sucks

• Joel O's Posted: Jul.31 at 11:02 am
  True, Eboy. I just mean that Yao was prolly talking more about on-court issues. Ron was talking about ghetto-ness… which, heh, probably meant what you said. This isn’t good news for Houston though.

• Clockwork Posted: Jul.31 at 11:02 am
  Can’t wait for Yao to break a TV after a loss with Artest in the background thinking “that’s what I’m about”

• Jukai Posted: Jul.31 at 11:07 am
  I can’t wait for Yao to back his boy after a brawl by Karate punching a random fan in the face ala O’Neil

• Joel O's Posted: Jul.31 at 11:09 am
  Well on the bright side, whatever Yao, Ron and everyone are saying now… Adelman was able to turn Webber’s career and reputation as a malcontent around. People were saying the same things about C-Webb back in the late 90s, and before you know it he was the best PF in the league not named Duncan. Adelman, choker or not, has the experience to do this.

• TADOne Posted: Jul.31 at 11:11 am
  “YO!……Yao….YO!…..Yao……Yo!!….Yao.”

• Khalid Salaam Posted: Jul.31 at 11:16 am
  adelman is one of the most overrated coaches in the league. comparing webber to artest is crazy. first of all, webber was never a disruptive cancerous presence. artest is. second when he was on the kings he was their best player,which was good for them. if artest is the rockets best player that is terrible for them. i have very little faith in the rockets being good. rockets fans are drinking the kool-aid. artest fans are drinking the bs (again).

• Gerard Himself Posted: Jul.31 at 11:17 am
  I don’t if those Arest quotes should make me smile or make me sad. I know we can always make fun of quites like these, but if he is even remotely serious, Artest has a long way to go mentally. How old is he anyway? He’s been in the L for quite a while now, it’s time to…. ah who cares. It doesn’t matter what anyone says about this.

• d.Y. Posted: Jul.31 at 11:19 am
  another good quote from Sacbee “I wish I would have know that Rick was leaving, because I would’ve intercepted that phone call with a missile from Korea.”

• Jukai Posted: Jul.31 at 11:24 am
  WRITE IT IN THE HISTORY BOOKS: I 100% AGREE WITH KHALID HERE!!1

• Joel O's Posted: Jul.31 at 11:25 am
  I was 11 years old at the time, but didn’t Webber allegedly run Don Nelson out of town in Golden State though? And regarding Khalid’s second point: interestingly, Artest is arguably the Rockets’ best player right now talent-wise. But he’s going to be their 3rd option on offense, even though he’s probably coming in thinking that he’ll be the first option and be able to shoot as much as he did with the Kings. Terrible indeed.

• Joel O's Posted: Jul.31 at 11:27 am
  I honestly really hope against it, but it just seems more and more like Artest is going down the JR Rider route.

• trick Posted: Jul.31 at 11:27 am
  “im still ghetto”…. or: “if i dont get my 20 shots a night, im gonna pop a cap in yo ass”

• rikson Posted: Jul.31 at 11:29 am
  Recording Rap Cds just for fun and earning 7 mil a year -> YEAH RON YOU´RE GHETTO…… please And by the way: when did poor became cool?

• Aaron S Posted: Jul.31 at 11:38 am
  Houston, we’ve got a problem (brewing). I have a feeling there’s already some tension and Artest isn’t even official yet. SeanB what do you think about this madness? I know youre an Artest fan, for some reason you like the thugs.

• nick Posted: Jul.31 at 11:43 am
  Some more info: since this story, Ron said on a radio interview (on XM, i beleive) “IM A YAO MING SOLDIER, BAAAAAAABY!!!” I swear to god im not making this up.

• nick Posted: Jul.31 at 11:45 am
  Aaron S: minus 5 million cool points for making a “houston, we have a problem” joke.

• rikson Posted: Jul.31 at 12:00 pm
  And Aaron: Give them to Ron right away -> he needs them!!!

• Myles Brown Posted: Jul.31 at 12:00 pm
  I’d still like to know what Ron Artest’s “culture” is.

• ciolkstar Posted: Jul.31 at 12:00 pm
  Thank you TRU WARRIOR for giving us something to talk about…@ Joel O’s:Is “ghetto-ness” not sometimes an on court issue for Ron Ron?

• a.b. dsouth Posted: Jul.31 at 12:01 pm
  ron ron ft. yo yo yao ming
  next album
  ron will take yao to the hood
  GangstA

• Brandon Hoffman Posted: Jul.31 at 12:04 pm
  Stop it Ron, seriously. You’ve been traded to a legitimate contender and you’re about to screw it up before you even play a game.

• ciolkstar Posted: Jul.31 at 12:05 pm
  I think yall are making these “comments” by Ron and yao into toomuch of a big deal. The relationship between TMac and Artest is going to be far more important. I respect yao speaking honestly and Ron for doing the same. artest makes himself seem a little silly, but none of that matters in comparison to how they play as a team. Ron is sort of crazy like marbury but has too much pride in his game/work ethic to fall off that hard.

• RV Posted: Jul.31 at 12:08 pm
  Khalid, Houston was good before, they’ll be good after.

• dsouth Posted: Jul.31 at 12:09 pm
  ron ron ft. yo yao
  next ron album title: from the far east coast to the west
  GangstA

• Allenp Posted: Jul.31 at 12:12 pm
  Black Panther meeting? *Sigh* The Black Panthers are easily one of the most misunderstood and unfairly maligned political organizations in the history of America. Easily.

• RV Posted: Jul.31 at 12:12 pm
  ans these comments are being blown out of proportion, the response by Artest was given after much baiting by the reporter, basically went: Ron, did you hear Yao, were you surprised? Oh nah i get what he means.. “but Ron, dont you think Yao is sending a message that he doesn’t want you? Oh, well no i get him. “but Ron, dont you think..”……………until finally Ron said “its yao’s team, if he doesn’t want me, then i wont go, if he does i will and i’ll jump off a building if he tells me to.” Along with the other bull.

• phil Posted: Jul.31 at 12:12 pm
  Dave Chappelle warned us about this. Soon Yao will be 100% black, and who knows with Ron Ron, maybe 120%.

• RV Posted: Jul.31 at 12:14 pm
  i was just about to mention you Allenp. What Ron said is no different from what Allenp said, that he’d go after someone if they threw food at him….that’s what ron meant, that he gets Yao, but if someone disrespects him then he has to answer. There was no mention about getting shots and he more than made it clear this is Yao’s team.

• Joel O's Posted: Jul.31 at 12:14 pm
  @ciolkstar: Yes it is, though it shouldn’t be. You can play tough defense without being “ghetto”. Ron has to move on. I hate to bring up the old Detroit brawl, but every other player involved in it has moved on to greater things since. Jax has been outstanding as a Warrior. JO has been hurt, but quietly led the Pacers the last few seasons and is now starting afresh in TO. Big Ben has admittedly bounced around and thrown a few headbands in his wake, but he’s just getting old. Reggie is now garnishing the award for worst TV commentator alive. They’ve all moved on to new and greater things, but Artest is sadly still living in the shadow of that one horrible night.

• mat smith Posted: Jul.31 at 12:16 pm
  damn ron ron is such an idiot, maybe think before you speak?

• Joel O's Posted: Jul.31 at 12:22 pm
  @RV: Yeah, Ron did clear things up later and it seems that things are better off than the initial exchange between Yao and Artest implied. But the thing is, we’ve seen this all before. Promises of a fresh start, a playoff series where Ron and Bonzi played like world-beaters, etc. And it all went downhill from there.

• RV Posted: Jul.31 at 12:30 pm
  Joel, i can understand why people would find it hard to believe, but ron’s said nothing but the right things so far, no negatives, until this reporter wouldn’t drop the Yao ming response….everyone is positive on both sides, the difference is his situation. This is a unique situation for him, its not the thuggish pacers or the noncontending kings.

• Slobodan Chutzpah Posted: Jul.31 at 12:32 pm
  Typically fantastic of (T)Ron. I really don’t know what we’d do without him. On the flipside though: shouldn’t as much blame be laid at Yao’s door, who, to all intents and purposes, started this whole thing by totally needlessly referencing a now age-old incident, stirring up sour feelings among the whole team and fanbase? I think that was pretty moronic as well.

• Slobodan Chutzpah Posted: Jul.31 at 12:37 pm
  I find Yao’s comments especially jarring in the context that he and T-Mac have never won a playoff series between them - which has more than a little to do with their lack of toughness. He shouldn’t be worrying about Artest’s fierceness on the court but embracing it wholeheartedly, since he and his sidekick have obviously been found lacking in that department.

• Joel O's Posted: Jul.31 at 12:39 pm
  Good point, RV. “This is (his) time, this is (his) moment - to turn the page on a downhill career”. It’s his chance to prove us all wrong, and I hope that he makes the best of it. Only time will tell, I guess.

• RV Posted: Jul.31 at 12:40 pm
  Slobodan, Yao was joking, as good as his english is its still limited. He could have gone on (in chinese) about keeping him cool and positive, etc., but in english he went with that to joke around. No one made a fuss about it until this sacramento reporter did. Now the reporter is accusing Houston of leaking stories to gauge the city’s reaction to the trade so they have time to back out. He’s probably going to interview Ron again and ask “if houston really did leak this to gauge reaction, would that piss you off? “Well yeah, if they don’t really want me as i am why am i going”. Next thing you know the headlines read “Artest reconsidering trade”…

• RV Posted: Jul.31 at 12:43 pm
  and i guess the sac reporter forgot to mention the very first thing Yao said when asked about the trade is “i think i’m going to love him, because i hate playing against him.” Ron’s initial reaction was also excitement. Both made those other comments after continous questioning by the reporters.

• TADOne Posted: Jul.31 at 12:50 pm
  RV: Are you going to take EVERYTHING personally?

• BETCATS Posted: Jul.31 at 12:52 pm
  This trade makes no sence to me (ESPN keeps saying that Ron will ‘keep kobe in check’ but didnt Shane Battier do that pretty well already) the fact that Ron Artest is yao ming’s version of the boogie man makes me laugh. Note to everyone doubting Ron; Mr. Artest enjoyed playing for Rick Adileman so he wont cause any problems. But this move does NOT make the Rockets contenders because Scola is not the answer at Power Forward. Until they get someone to play good inside with Yao or until Yao turns into a REAL super-star center (he only gets all those ASG’s because of China) the Rockets will still not be able to compete with the Western elite. End of rant.

• Slobodan Chutzpah Posted: Jul.31 at 12:57 pm
  RV, I can believe that; now that you say it it seems obvious - very typical of Yao’s dry sense of humor. So it’s another case of a reporter blowing things out of proportion in order to generate some controversy and attracting readers.

• Keith Posted: Jul.31 at 12:58 pm
  RV just be honest for a minute, are you not in the slightest bit worried that Ron Artest will f*ck everything up for the Rockets? Coz I am.

• Jukai Posted: Jul.31 at 1:00 pm
  Keith, I am honestly not worried one bit. This is mostly because I don’t give a damn about the rockets and wouldn’t care if it happened.

• Captain America Posted: Jul.31 at 1:01 pm
  Understand, the Rocketts have been a completely boring and under achieving playoff team for years. Now they have someone to add some “culture.”

• Captain America Posted: Jul.31 at 1:03 pm
  Adelman aka Brillant _Astard

• Keith Posted: Jul.31 at 1:07 pm
  The Rockets with Artest will either excel or implode. My money is on the latter.

• RV Posted: Jul.31 at 1:09 pm
  Tad, do you mean my reaction to the reporter, these comments or both?….. i dont think people should buy what the guy is selling..

• RV Posted: Jul.31 at 1:16 pm
  Keith, i’m not, for the simple fact that we have nothing to lose, like some reporter said, unless Ron goes completely out-of-this-world crazy and stabs Yao and tracy, theres only something to gain from this. The city and team’s expectations were high and positive prior to this, this just raises them even more. It would be disappointing to not have it work out, but we still have a good team without him. If ron blows up he’ll only hurt himself, the team isn’t locked in for years and he sure as hell won’t drag other Rcokets with him. Yao and tracy aren’t Stephen jax, you can be sure they won’t follow in his footsteps if he decides to punch out some fans.

• BETCATS Posted: Jul.31 at 1:16 pm
  i agree with RV on the fact the media is using this to make Ron Artest look bad, which is its hobby, but at the same time it is funny and makes people pay attention to the rockets.

• BETCATS Posted: Jul.31 at 1:18 pm
  shane battier is =

• Keith Posted: Jul.31 at 1:20 pm
  It’s not so much about him going on a stabbing frenzy which worries me, it’s about his attitude. If he is even remotely toxic in the locker room, the squad is in trouble. Not becasue they’ll follow in his footstes but just because bad vibes filter through to other players.
  Plus I don’t think Rick Adelman can handle a personality like that.

• DP Posted: Jul.31 at 1:21 pm
  I know one thing though, if I could bring anyone to a fight with me, it would be Ron Artest and Stephen Jax. I swear if Ron ron would have lost his cool once Big Ben pushed his ass like a toothpick, I think he would whoop his ass. just saying. Stephen Jax should work for Diddy.

• BETCATS Posted: Jul.31 at 1:25 pm
  well Keith, since Adlieman was Ron’s favorite coach i think that he wont screw this up. And 2nd what DP said

• TADOne Posted: Jul.31 at 1:30 pm
  RV: Just the overall “Ron Experience” for you has been pretty draining it seems. I think you may need to take some stuff with a grain of salt.

• RV Posted: Jul.31 at 1:39 pm
  Tad, i think its only been that way because there aren’t many Rocket fans here, so its pretty much up to me to speak up or clear up some things. Outside of Slam i’m not trippin over it. I’ve actually enjoyed it in a way, its not often the Rockets are a big topic.

• DP Posted: Jul.31 at 1:39 pm
  I just don’t like the rockets roster, but they look alright on paper. I wish they would have kept Greene so he could grow under Tracy’s watch but now he is going to have to take directions from Brad Miller. Why is the world so unjust?

• DP Posted: Jul.31 at 1:42 pm
  I hope the Rockets do great this year, RV. I went bonkers when LA went to the finals and now that I look back on it, I counted my eggs before they hatched. Growing pains I guess. I guess I just want to see Tracy succeed once in his career.

• RV Posted: Jul.31 at 1:42 pm
  Kieth, the rockets owner doesnt really take crap like that, i think their front office and coaching is decisive and tough enough were they wouldn’t hesitate to cut Ron or suspend him, sit him down, etc. if he even started to disrupt the team, another reason why i’m not too worried.

• Keith Posted: Jul.31 at 1:48 pm
  RV you’re speaking to someone who’s a fan of the Rockets so you don’t need to tell me about ownership or the GM. My concern is with Ron’s influence on a roster. On the court, he is a huge asset. In the locker room I suspect he is disruptive. In the stands he is downright mental. I’m actually for this trade but it’s either gonna make or break them. And don’t ever spell my name wrong again. You’ve been warned.

• TADOne Posted: Jul.31 at 1:51 pm
  Try being a Pistons fan and hearing about a Kwame Brown signing. I think I got you trumped in spades my good man.

• eyehatedirk Posted: Jul.31 at 2:21 pm
  Maybe Ron Ron can introduce Yao to the world of purple drank. He is “ghetto” and they will be in Houston………..

• Jukai Posted: Jul.31 at 2:30 pm
  Lighten up Kieth.

• tealish Posted: Jul.31 at 2:36 pm
  Is RonRon trying to say true blacks = ghetto? Poor Rafer. His street cred’s gonna take a nose dive. I don’t think he can face his old And1 buddies anymore!

• RV Posted: Jul.31 at 2:42 pm
  Then as a rockets fan i’m sure you know the owner and GM have access to the locker room, if there any disruptions they’ll know about it and squash it.

• RV Posted: Jul.31 at 2:43 pm
  i’m more worried about what Artest will do to Clutch the Bear than the team

• Nick Posted: Jul.31 at 2:50 pm
  If all goes right this will make Yao break the dress code!

• Myles Brown Posted: Jul.31 at 2:56 pm
  Im just glad hes not a Laker.

• JE Posted: Jul.31 at 2:59 pm
  If you go by Ron Artest’s statement alone, you would think Yao had said “I hope Ron isn’t still going to be black when he gets here.” All Yao said was that he didn’t want him punching people and causing a disturbance. Chill the f*ck out and try to win something, Ron.

• JE Posted: Jul.31 at 3:00 pm
  …and btw, Skip is totally blacker than Artest.

• Teddy-the-Bear Posted: Jul.31 at 3:16 pm
  Hahahaha I love the Rockets. Awesome.

• Wendy Posted: Jul.31 at 3:16 pm
  I’ve said it before and I say it again:
  RV, you are my man. It’s so exciting that the Rockets are headline news. Who gives a crap about the risks? Time to think about that later. Hope is everything my friend… right now we Rockets fans are seeing at an oase from the desert - whether it turns out to be a fata morgana or not will be known after the journey.

• bike Posted: Jul.31 at 4:40 pm
  “I understand what Ron say but I still Chinatown”, replied Yao with a sh*t-eatin’ grin on his face.

• Captain America Posted: Jul.31 at 5:37 pm
  What’s flied lice got to do wit dat?

• RV Posted: Jul.31 at 5:38 pm
  ha, i hadn’t even read the beginning of that article, titled “Artest FUMES at Yao’s Remarks:The potential new Rocket responds to fighting words”….this guy is good at his job, but its not being a journalist.

• Sesa Posted: Jul.31 at 6:00 pm
  Proud to be Black!

• Sesa Posted: Jul.31 at 6:01 pm
  Somebody is about to be ghetto-ed on their a$$

• Josh Posted: Jul.31 at 7:55 pm
  If you are banking 7.4 million a year and you are still ‘ghetto’ you are retarded.

• Dacre Posted: Aug.1 at 12:03 am
  if your banking 7.4 mill and are still ghetto and retarded then your a rich retard…and how does a retard drop 20, 5 and 3..?

• Hursty Posted: Aug.1 at 2:32 am
  wow… taken out of context.

• chintao Posted: Aug.1 at 4:47 am
  Hey rickson @ Jul.31 at 11:29 am - It ain’t where you from, it’s where you at. Ghetto isn’t about rich or poor. It’s a cultural marker.

• chintao Posted: Aug.1 at 5:06 am
  Also, it seems to be lost on many here that people who are “ghetto” have virtues as well as vices. Possible virtues include the ability and the will to hustle and persevere, strength of character, loyalty, toughness, and having a knack for innovative problem-solving. It is foolish to make value judgments about things beyond one’s own experiences.

• Randy Brown Posted: Aug.1 at 6:00 am
  So Artest responding to having beer thrown over him is a black culture thing? Other black culture characteristics include blinking and the need for oxygen

• rikson Posted: Aug.1 at 8:01 am
  If you ask me: the whole “ghetto-culture” sold itselve - just like a bitch…

• Hursty Posted: Aug.1 at 9:01 am
  ’stop children, whats that sound? Everybody looks whats going down.’ @ Randy Brown- wtf man? Other people woulda done the same thing but it wasnt expected that he would do that in the context of the event, that he would hit the wrong bloke, the fans would react the way that they did and have the players in the stands. I can go on. It just wasnt the right reaction for him to take, regardless of culture.

• Balleralm0916 Posted: Aug.1 at 10:51 am
  WTF Ron Artest? I think Rafer “S2ML” Alston has a lotta ghetto in him if you ask him. I mean, he has some sick street handles he learned from the ghetto..Sometimes I wonder Ron-Ron…

• mitch Posted: Aug.1 at 10:42 pm
  I don’t want ron to go. Anyway it is a shocking trade anyway

• Landerly Posted: Aug.2 at 10:30 pm
  Yao and Artest are good

• The Promise Posted: Aug.3 at 7:57 pm
  Ron Ron: Most ghetto player in the NBA.
  Yao: Least ghetto player in the NBA.

• Tony Posted: Aug.12 at 8:57 am
  If I was a black I’m absolutely appalled at these statements. Being ghetto is black culture?!?! Way to slap blacks 2 steps back

• SLAM ONLINE | » All Politics Is Loco Posted: Oct.6 at 8:23 pm
  [...] And then, briefly, I thought of Ron Artest, because both were brought in to up the intensity on their squads, but neither of them can keep from saying crazy sh*t. [...]