Reborn Artest is proof the everyone deserves a second chance

Basketball / Nick Shiambouros / 25 November 2008 / Leave a Comment

Nick Shiambouros profiles one of the NBA's supposed bad-boys. Chiefly known for attacking a fan during an enormous 2004 brawl, Artest has moved on from that ignominious affair and is one of the sport's leading players.

It has been said many times that America is truly the land of opportunity. I for one would not argue that point in the least as, during my time in the US, I witnessed many people from all walks of life make it to the very top and on occasion all the way back down to the bottom of this great country.

That is when another well known phrase comes to mind: everybody deserves a second chance.

The name Ron Artest for most people outside basketball is synonymous with one of the lowest moments in NBA history.

On November 19th, 2004, Artest leapt in to the crowd to attack a fan he thought had thrown a cup of beer at him. At the time Artest was playing for the Indiana Pacers against bitter rivals the Detroit Pistons and it turned in to the biggest brawl ever seen in a professional basketball arena.

At the time of the now infamous brawl the New Yorker was regarded by many, including myself, to be the best defensive player in the NBA. When the dust settled after the episode Artest was suspended for the remainder of the season, which amounted to 73 games and lost $7m in fines and salary.

Artest was traded to the Sacramento Kings the following year as, understandably, the team had no choice but to trade him due to this terrible incident. Sacramento coach Rick Adelman took Artest under his wing and he showed the league he was back with a vengeance leading the Kings to the play-offs.

Ron Artest lifted this average team and personally dragged them in to the playoffs on his own. It is not just his natural ability that is so impressive it is his unquenchable thirst and zest for the game of basketball that make him so special.

After his stint at Sacramento, the 29-year-old teamed up with his old coach Adelman in Houston and is now playing with a group of players who can really compete for the NBA title. The addition of Artest this year has been pivotal to the success of the Rockets who have a record of 9-5 for the year.

In previous years the finger has always been pointed at Tracy McGrady for the Rockets' lack of success in the play-offs - very unfairly in my opinion. Artest will be able to energize McGrady, Yao Ming and Rafer Alston when the chips are really down.

In the past, Houston have had a habit of dropping their heads in certain situations but as I have seen a couple of times so far this season Artest has taken the game on his shoulders in the last couple of minutes and the Rockets have come away with the win. He is deadly accurate from the three point line when needed at critical situations and can sprint back in transition to play solid defence.

Looking ahead in the ante-post markets on Betfair the Houston Rockets are trading at [13.5] which seems pretty generous to me. With the exception of the Los Angeles Lakers, Houston are arguably playing the best basketball in the Western Conference at the moment. There should be a decent trading opportunity later on in the season as I feel quite secure about Houston going a long way in the play-offs.

Back in June, I heard Ron Artest on ESPN Radio and his infectious enthusiasm for the game of basketball and life in general was uplifting and inspiring to say the least. I have heard many players from all sporting backgrounds say that they would play the game for nothing because of their love of the sport. In truth I didn't believe many of them, but when I hear Ron Artest say it I have to make the exception. I am so glad he got his second chance.

For more information about Ron Artest go to: www.ronartest.com.