-Introduction-
|
As the Kings put the finishing touches on their 2007-08 season, one of the many Sacramento players to go unheralded by the national media will be Ron Artest. But, as Kings fans have likely noticed, Ron-Ron isn't driven by the spotlight. He's driven by a love for the game and through that deep passion and respect for basketball; we see one of the best defenders of this generation lockdown perennial All-Stars and League-leading scorers on a nightly basis at ARCO Arena. His aggressive, tenacious and clever defense, according to veteran Anthony Johnson, puts such fear in some opposing players that they actually prefer sitting out rather than facing the Kings small forward. Putting fear in grown men who are the best in the world at their craft isn't easy, but Artest isn't your typical player, either. Standing 6-foot-7 and a solid 246 pounds, he is an imposing figure. In fact, that often overshadows his nimble feet and quick hands that play just as essential a role as his strength. Behind the array of physical adjectives used to describe Artest is his will to take on the NBA's best. Before a recent game, Kings.com caught up with Artest to get a glimpse into the mind of the ever-so-powerful number 93. Love of hoops, defensive dedication and enthusiasm for winning are just the beginning.
-A few notes regarding Artest's defense-
A Scouting Report from ESPN.com's John Hollinger:
Artest is still among the League's best defenders. He's rock solid and impossible to post up against, but he also has quick feet and a tenacious mentality. Plus, he has fast, strong hands and had the League's best rate of steals per minute among small forwards. He's not as good at chasing players through screens and is better on the ball than off it, but he's among the League's elites.
With/Without Artest:
-The Kings are 29-27 with Artest in the lineup this season and 7-15 when he's out.
-The team averages 8.27 steals per game with Artest and 7.14 steals without him.
-With him in the lineup, the Kings have held rival teams to 46.4 percent shooting from the field. Without him, the Kings have given up 47.4 percent shooting to opponents.
-With Artest, the team has allowed 103.6 points per game, while scoring 102.6 points per game. Without him, the team has scored 103 points per game, but allowed foes 108.7 points.
Stealing Streaks:
-Artest currently ranks third in the League in steals and had a stretch of four games from March 9-16 where he totaled 19 steals.
-From February 9-22 Artest notched six straight games with three steals.
-Question and Answer-
|
 Aside from your defense and tenacity, the passion you play the game with is evident every night. Where does that intense passion come from?
“I think it’s more like just loving to play. It goes beyond the NBA. It’s just basketball in general and loving to play the game.”
What is your favorite thing about the game?
“I think the competition in the game is just something else. It’s hard. People who've never played basketball before try to play and look awkward. The game is just so different. It’s an awkward game. I think basketball more than other sports, if you haven’t played before, it's pretty hard adapting. It’s kind of like schoolwork. If you keep practicing you get better and you can master it.”
How are you able to make such a physically draining game look so easy?
“I think because I work out a lot in the summer. I turn it up a notch during the season and it looks like I’m playing really hard, but I actually prepared a lot in the summertime.”
How do you characterize your mindset on defense?
“It’s like figuring out ways to solve a problem. And a lot of these NBA players are big problems. You just take all of the practices and experience from coaches and you just kind of apply it to games. You always try to find ways to stop your man. I’m always trying to figure out ways to stop my man and once something works, I have to stick with it.”
While you flash smiles and play with a lot of enthusiasm, it's clear you are very focused during games. What is going through your mind when you are out there?
“It’s definitely just win, win, win and defense, defense, defense. I’m always thinking defense and that helps me with my total game.”
Why have you shown off the Muscle Man and Super Man poses this season?
“Sometimes you have to do that. You have to come out and have fun. You have to show the fans that you appreciate them and them being here. I think a little bit is basic at times. The fans are there and when you’re at home a little bit of showboating when you’re on top and the fans are into it, gets them more into it. And I think they enjoy it.”
What traits have been essential to your success?
“It used to be just hard work, but now it’s confidence. And I think you’ve got to have both. You can have confidence and no hard work and that’s not going to get you anywhere. You can have hard work and no confidence and that’s not going to get you anywhere either. You have to have both.”
What keeps you motivated?
“The success definitely keeps me going. I got better and I see it as a success. You just want more and more because it’s fun.”
|
del.icio.us
Catch the sights and sounds inside Power Balance Pavilion as Kings.com gives Kings fans a behind-the-scenes look at Black Thursday. 
