NBA Insider with Ken Berger

I don't see anyone knocking the door down to carry the blog in my absence. But as promised, I'm back for a brief interruption in what is otherwise supposed to be a week off to bring some Ron Artest news to the table.

A couple other reporters joined me in a sit-down with Ron-Ron at The Palm on 50th between Broadway and 8th this afternoon for an appearance promoting the 17th annual Wheelchair Charities hoops game. This year's event will be Sunday, Sept. 9 at MSG, featuring Artest, Long Islander Mike James, Sam Cassell, Rutgers product Quincy Douby, among others. More players will be announced in the coming weeks.

Artest has been involved in the charity since his high school days at LaSalle, and he now has assumed Mark Jackson's prestigious position of coordinating the event and securing fellow NBA players to attend. The all-star classic has raised more than $1.6 million for patients of Goldwater Memorial Hospital on Roosevelt Island.

All the good stuff from Artest will be in tomorrow's paper, but here's a little preview for you loyal blog fans:

* Artest still hasn't asked the Kings to trade him, but he reiterated that he wouldn't be upset if he got traded to the Knicks. He did point out for the first time that he doesn't think a trade will happen this offseason because, "I don’t think anybody will give me up the way I’ve been working out this summer."

* He believes Zach Randolph and Eddy Curry will be able to co-exist in the paint the way he and Jermaine O'Neal did in Indiana. "If you double Zach, you’ve got Eddy down there and you can’t stop Eddy from dunking," Artest said. "Same thing with Zach."

* If the new-look Celtics play together, they're going to be "a monster," according to Artest. Agreed.

* Artest has spoken with Jamal Crawford, a former teammate of his with the Bulls, this summer, as well as Renaldo Balkman. "He's my boy," Artest said of Balkman. "I told him I wouldn’t trade myself for him."

* Like every other professional athlete whom reporters suspect might say something controversial, Artest had to weigh in on the Michael Vick situation. I thought he handled it well, but you can be the judge when you read what he had to say in tomorrow's paper and online edition. Curious to get your thoughts on how he dealt with the delicate issue if you want to post your comments here.

Comments (28)

Posted by david | August 28, 2007 21:26

Good blog Ken. I'm surprised you don't get more comments on your blog, but it might be that the stories (other than today's) are NBA generic, rather than Knick specific.

A couple of questions for you Ken:

--did you get the sense that Artest would push for a deal to the Knicks?

--how does he know Balkman, a second year player from South Carolina?

Thanks for the great info.

Posted by Rick | August 29, 2007 09:51

Good blog. Honestly with the state of the Knicks right now trading for Ron might work out terrifically. We really do need to slim the roster down.

Posted by Shaka | August 29, 2007 10:09

I thing Ron along with Steph are stand up dudes for having the courage to speak from the heart on this issue. It's obvious that they feel for Mike and what he is going through. That does not mean that they agree with what he has done. They just wish to see him bounce back when the world around them wish to see the man buried. God bless Ron, Steph and Vick.

Posted by Adam | August 29, 2007 10:29

Great Blog! I've been watching Ron ron play ball since he 1st attended High School and i must say I've never watched anyone play with more fire, determination, and passion than Ron. He is "NY" and "NY" is Ron. Having said that I do believe he is pushing for a trade to the Knicks but its tough. I would try to get the Kings to go for a Nate Robinson, Fred Jones(expiring contract), and Q-Rich for Artest and the long contract of John Salmons. It works money wise. If the Knicks can get Ron Ron they will have as good as a chance as anyone else to reach the Finals.

Posted by Nixluva | August 29, 2007 10:32

As much as I recognize Artest's talent, the guy scares me. I don't like it when I don't know what a guy is gonna do from minute to minute. He sounds alright at the moment, but he can go thru some big swings in his level of sanity.

I wonder if he can be a team player with other big time scorers like Zach and Curry?

If he is willing to be a team player and can keep his head on straight who wouldn't want him? I just have doubts that he'll do those things.

Posted by HandCheck | August 29, 2007 12:50

Nice update. You know there is absolutely no reason the Kings can't compete in the West with Martin, Bibby, and Artest. The Kings have been run fairly well, they simply got old and did some on-the-go rebuilding (forgive the cliche). They are young now, and have a decent upside to much of their roster, as well as veteran help. Unless they get draft picks, having Artest for the sake of developing their team, even if for this year would be both a logical and farsighted decision.

Currently the Knicks seem to have garnered people to anticipate a major break down (READ blow up) some point in the season. I have heard people go so far as to say the Knicks could go 22-5 and then completely implode internally due to the volatility of the personalities assembled, and lack of chemistry. Adding Artest would only add more weight to this possibility of a drastic tipping point.

Still we (cursed I know) still have to many bodies. Something SHOULD happen, if only for trimming purposes.

Posted by Ed | August 29, 2007 13:41

Why dont we trade for Artest and Kobe...the kings will get in return: Jared Jefrries,Lamar Odom,Randolf Morris and Jamal Crawford. The Pacers will get Kevin Martin, Shereef A. Rahim, Andrew Bynum and Q. Richardson. The knicks then get Kobe and Artest..while the Lakers get..J. Oneal, Mardy Collins, Jerome James, David Lee and Mike Bibby.

Posted by ben | August 29, 2007 15:26

lol...why don't you just give up the whole team for Kobe and Artest?

Posted by Anonymous | August 30, 2007 04:48

we will still have a team of marbury, curry, zack, ron, and kobe. on the bench we would have balkman, chandler, nickles, dan, malik. you tell me thats not a championship team

Posted by Big O | August 30, 2007 08:47

I think most athletes have trouble between the athlete on the field and the person off the field where there is a off balance of personality. Like Steph, Ron, Mike Irving, Mike Vick is growing up in front of our eyes. You know that ole saying "kickem while they are down but don't you fall" Alot of people kick Ron, Steph and now it's Vick.

Posted by reggie shuck | September 1, 2007 07:00

I think that the knicks are going to be a 500 team but will not advance into the late rounds of the playoffs because of no dee from Crawford, Nate, Curry, Steph, Quinten and Zack. The Bulls are going with added defense with Noah, being added to a defense oriented team. It's going to be exciting to see which style of play will result in more wins.

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Posted by chris cap | September 11, 2007 12:04

Knicks will be better this year because Curry will be in better shape and have a second option down low with Zach!
They need Artest on the team to place him on the other teams best scorer. Trade Nate, Q-Rich and throw in a Second Rd Pick.

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