Sports Talk with MC

by MC

In a recent report, I read that Ron Artest has plans of actually jettisoning from the NBA and playing overseas.

With the reputation the man known as the “True Warrior” has, such a jump just might happen.

In as much as the NBA is the place to be when it comes to the lucrative contracts, the bright lights, and the big arenas teeming with screaming fans, some players, historically, have chosen to steer clear of that setup in favor of more secluded basketball existence.

Take former Seattle Supersonic, Atlanta Hawk and LA Clipper Peja Drobnjak for example.

The Serbia-Montenegro native, who had averaged 7.9 ppg and 3.5 rpg over a 4 year career in the United States, gave up his spot in the NBA for 3 year deal with Spanish club Tau Ceramica in 2004-2005. He made the jump at age 29, and when, arguably, teams’ focus on sweet shooting European big men was at a relatively big time high.

I suppose that beyond the glitz and glamour of the NBA lies an inner satisfaction that comes with, actually, playing somewhere wherein one might feel more “at home”, somewhere where in the general culture of the people around you is something you’re more accustomed to, and somewhere wherein your talents can, well, be more appreciated, in general.

The thing is, it’s not that Artest has been made a pariah in some NBA circles for nothing.

There was the Palace brawl in 2004 wherein he played a major role, and there have been other run ins with the law and with players and with referees and the list goes on and on. Artest has brought the general perception of him being a thug onto himself.

If going overseas, then making a comeback in the NBA is what it takes for him to shake of the stigma, then by all means, go.Whatever becomes of this issue, Ron Ron’s made his way into the headlines again- perhaps more uselessly so than otherwise.

That’s one point Ron, NBA and it’s fans, zero.

=)