Artest will be arraigned on March 22.

by Tom Ziller on Mar 6, 2007 7:32 AM PST in Ron-Ron

Ron Artest will be arraigned the morning of March 22. I'll assume the Kings will hold him out at least that long, though I wouldn't be surprised if he came back this Sunday, either.

Here's what the immediate schedule looks like.

03/06: GAME vs INDIANA. 7p. Comcast.
03/08: GAME vs SAN ANTONIO. 7:30p. TNT.
03/11: GAME vs DENVER. 12:30p. ABC.
03/13: GAME at CLEVELAND. 4p. Comcast.
03/14: GAME at CHARLOTTE. 4p. Comcast.
03/16: GAME at MIAMI. 4:30p. News10.
03/17: GAME at ORLANDO. 4p. News10.
03/19: GAME at ATLANTA. 4p. Comcast.
03/21: GAME vs MINNESOTA. 7p. Comcast.
03/22: GAME at PHOENIX. 6p. News10.

That's a tough stretch with Good Ron, with Bad Ron, or without Ron. Six of those 10 are games the Kings need to win if they're serious about making a run at the playoffs (Indiana, Denver, Charlotte, Orlando, Atlanta, Minnesota).

I've been skeptical the playoffs were a possibility before this. I'm not sure how the exile changes things - San Antonio sounds more beatable with Ron around, surely, as does Cleveland. But the teams the Kings should beat anyways are ones they can beat without Ron.

I heard Mike Bibby picked Ron up from jail. Someone said they saw video on one of the news stations that showed one of Mike's trademark white luxury cars. Anyone know anything about this?

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Artest v. Martin

I was going to full story this, but it's not "thick" enough. I want to speculate that Ron Artest, seeing that Kevin Martin was to be named player of the week, wanted to chase his name from the headlines, so he pulled this stunt. In the Kings clubhouse, the clamoring for attention is intense, and Artest wants to be top billing at all costs.

After all, how long was Kevin Martin player of the week before this surfaced? 20 minutes?

That conniving punk.

Kings-obsessed. A's obsessed. More ramblings: louisgray.com

by louismg on Mar 6, 2007 8:23 AM PST reply actions

Re: Artest will be arraigned on March 22.

I don't see why Artest has to be out of action for so long. Musselman man was only out two games for DUI. Wasn't Richarson of the Warriors suspended by the NBA three games after being convicted of DV? This kind of thing is pretty common in the NBA. Jason Kidd went through this a few years ago too.

by KingsFan on Mar 6, 2007 9:09 AM PST reply actions

Re: Artest will be arraigned on March 22.

This ain't a suspension and plus we're talking Ron Artest here.This "excuse" is from the team and not from the league. He's got a past/history of crimes like these. He's been through anger management and he's on probation which makes the likiehood of a lengthier suspension much too likely.

Time to Break 'em up.

by kingme18 on Mar 6, 2007 9:23 AM PST up reply actions

Re: Artest will be arraigned on March 22.

His probation expired in January.

by Tom Ziller on Mar 6, 2007 9:25 AM PST up reply actions

Re: Artest will be arraigned on March 22.

You're right, but Ron's reputation will clearly work against him.

As Petrie said, the image of the team is at stake. If they keep Ron around while this stuff is still splashed all over the papers and ESPN, they look (unfairly) like they condone the behavior. Obviously, they don't. But appearances are everything.

And I'm sure they don't want to be in the position of seeing their player booed loudly at home, which I think would happen in Ron's case.

I think Stern will give him five games if the Kings don't suspend him first. They have a season to worry about, as well as Ron's well-being. So I think they'll be very cautious about bringing him back to the locker room.

by Tom Ziller on Mar 6, 2007 9:25 AM PST up reply actions

Re: Artest will be arraigned on March 22.

The NBA suspends players who have been convicted of violent felonies for a minimum of ten games. There has been no conviction and apparently the most violent act which occurred at the Artest residence was the frying pan being thrown through the windshield by Kimsha as Ron was attempting to leave.

Kings' officials, the sheriff's dept. and the newspaper are all too concerned about doing what is politically correct because of their fear of the liberal wackos.

Ron should be reinstated and allowed to play as quickly as possible.

If and/or when Artest is convicted, the league will issue an appropriate penalty.

by aspen on Mar 6, 2007 11:23 AM PST up reply actions

Re: Artest will be arraigned on March 22.

Kings' officials, the sheriff's dept. and the newspaper are all too concerned about doing what is politically correct because of their fear of the liberal wackos.

This is an idiotic statement, and surprising coming from you aspen. The Kings are going to do whatever it is that prevents empty seats in the arena. And if you think it's "liberal wackos" that pay the fifth highest ticket prices in the NBA, I'd venture to say you are extremely uninformed.

So aside from the Kings' officials, maybe you can tell me how the sherrif's dept. and newspaper are being "politically correct".

By the way, the "liberal wackos" would probably prefer to give Artest the benefit of the doubt...that whole ACLU thing you know.

by otis29 on Mar 6, 2007 11:34 AM PST up reply actions

Re: Artest will be arraigned on March 22.

Yea take it from TZ, he's a PR guy.

by evanmeagan on Mar 6, 2007 4:03 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Artest will be arraigned on March 22.

Innocent until proven guilty? What if the entire thing turns out to be the fault of the wife? The eye witness account from a neighbor says Artest was trying to get away and the wife runs out with a frying pan and bashes in his windshield. Sounds like one crazy bitch to me.

http://www.youtube.com/v/3NiMFI2iRFk

by KingsFan on Mar 6, 2007 9:34 AM PST reply actions

Re: Artest will be arraigned on March 22.

Ahh, so the innocent until proven guilty only applies to Artest, but not the "crazy bitch"? Sounds like you've already passed judgment.

by otis29 on Mar 6, 2007 9:37 AM PST up reply actions

Re: Artest will be arraigned on March 22.

Maybe my view is a little biased only because I've been down that road before. I never beat a woman but I was coerced into fighting. It's a trap set by the woman who is well aware that the law is slanted towards them. For all we know his wife may have smacked him with the frying pan and when he pushed her away in self defense she was ready with her most powerful weapon, 911. With one push of a button she is able to bring him down once and for all.

by KingsFan on Mar 6, 2007 10:03 AM PST up reply actions

Re: Artest will be arraigned on March 22.

Innocent until proven guilty - period. I know Ron is an ass, but the law is supposed to be reason minus passion. Just because he has been an ass before, doesn't mean that he is necessarily guilty now. He shouldn't have to prove he is innocent.

Regarding his wife, she wasn't arrested and anything that we hear at this point about her role is simply hearsay. The DA will eventually consider her role, and I guarantee Ron's attorney will press the DA on her previous anger management issues.

I have no problem with the Kings providing time for him to get his act together personally and legally. (I also understand this is a business not a social program.) But any suspension by the League or the team is premature until he is PROVEN guilty of a crime.

My big problem with all of this is the fact that he was charged with felony battery (assault). Pushing somebody down is not a felony assault. Law enforcement often exaggerates charges knowing that most of the time the DA will bargin with the defense attorney for reduced charges. Law enforcement also will often pick its "victims" when they get to a scene and will produce police reports that fit their view of a scene.

My larger point is that justice isn't determined by the media, by uninformed opinions, or by hearsay. Let the process proceed and see where things stand at the end. Although my personal leanings tend towards the liberatarian and I am naturally untrusting of law enforcement, I think that - despite some notable exceptions - our system generally provides fair outcomes.

by Kusian on Mar 6, 2007 10:20 AM PST up reply actions

Re: Artest will be arraigned on March 22.

I agree, I don't think he should be suspended by the league or the team until his guilt is proven. That doesn't mean the team can't just cut him - his recent behavior plus this "alleged" incident gives them every right to do so, IMO. He would still get paid, he'd be able to resume his career elsewhere, and the Kings could get on with rebuilding this team.

Admittedly, this is my emotional reaction to the whole thing. In a few weeks, I'll probably be happy that the organization decided to let things calm down a bit before making a decision.

by otis29 on Mar 6, 2007 11:28 AM PST up reply actions

Re: Artest will be arraigned on March 22.

I don't think the legal proof has anything to do with the team's decisions at this point. Innocent or guilty - the damage Ron has caused on many levels is done. If this were a player who had a clean record the damage control might be easier. The team could open their arms and embrace the family and player. It's Ron. Don't be shocked if they turn their back on him. It's business.

I think it was a really good move to excuse him rather than suspend him while management gets a grasp of public opinion, NBA office opinion and the Player's Association opinion. The Kings probably have an out on his contract but want to play wait and see while they weigh keeping Ron because we need him for a playoff push or let him go because the outlash would hurt financially. Also, they need get a feel for his value if they decide to can him.

Let's say they reinstate him. They have to be asking themselves is it worth it and for how long. They need a PR plan to make sure the community gets the right spin on the King's and their view of domestic violence. They need to explain their support of Ron. They need to have a plan for when he is booed at Arco and that makes headlines bringing the whole thing up again. Then, they need to keep a very close leash on Ron - a guy who subs himself in and out of games.

Is Ron worth his salary in lost sales and support for the Kings? What will he do next? If I were management, I would fire him just for being a pain in the ass and drawing so much negative attention to the team.

He's pesky I tell ya.

by pyro on Mar 6, 2007 1:28 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Artest will be arraigned on March 22.

Pyro well stated and thought out. That being said ill be brief. I think the team has to straddle the difference. Play him in the interim try to get trade value over the summer & go from there. The fans i dont think will give a rat's ass if he plays or not as long as the team wins.

by pookeyguru on Mar 6, 2007 1:45 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Artest will be arraigned on March 22.

Thanks. The difference may cost them more than his trade value. Maybe fans don't care - that will be determined. I care. It's embarrassing to the city and the team as a whole. Explaining Ron's arrest to my little girl wasn't cool. Multiply that. Was the Jailblazer's drop in attendance a fluke? It has taken years to fill their stadium again. How many millions were lost? They have more support as a losing team than they did as a thug team.

I think we are all more saddened by the fact that Kevin brought the team and Sacramento a bright point that we really needed and it plays second to another negative Ron story.

He's pesky I tell ya.

by pyro on Mar 6, 2007 2:17 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Artest will be arraigned on March 22.

Only thing i will point out is that this isnt a recurring incidence like what happened in portland. Alot of things happened with that team (major/minor) over the course of time. I dont think comparing 1 arrest for 'domesic violence' ,while embarrasing & difficult to explain to your little girl, is not on par with what happened with portland for close to a decade. Sorry.

by pookeyguru on Mar 6, 2007 2:47 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Artest will be arraigned on March 22.

Also pyro i would argue that 1 reason the fans turned on the team the way they did was in response to management/ownership. I highly doubt it was only the players that turned them off. Plus they were winning games also. That usually doesnt piss every fan off. After all i do believe it was bob whitsitt who said 'my job is acquire talent. the coaches job is to create chemistry'. Or something like that lol.

by pookeyguru on Mar 6, 2007 3:00 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Artest will be arraigned on March 22.

I don't think the number of incidents is what's important here...it's how these incidents affect the community.

Have you been to a Kings game lately? While they continue to "sell out", the number of empty seats becomes more and more noticable - so does the lack of enthusiasm in the arena.

Add a few of these "incidents" and the possibility of the team missing the playoffs for the first time in 9 years to the anger over the handling of the arena issue and the Maloof's declining popularity, and you might be looking at exactly what Portland went through.

by otis29 on Mar 6, 2007 3:44 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Artest will be arraigned on March 22.

Well frankly otis there are so many issues i have with that statement.

1st: 1 incident involving artest who had notable baggage that everyone knew about is somehow going to make the fan base more turned off? Especially when it almost certainly happened with his wife, with whom turbulent is probably a kind way to describe their marriage.
2nd: Without artest doing ,whatever he exactly did, was the team absolutely headed towards a playoff berth?
3rd: The arena issue (1 i didnt vote for a variety of reasons) is far different than the running of a basketball operation.
4th: It wouldnt surprise me if the fans voiced displeasure with the maloofs & not over the artest thing. However it wouldnt surprise me if most fans who dont understand the difference run the two together.
5th: I dont like going to arco. But i also dont like going to movies on friday nights either. The issue of whether fans are in the seats may be as much a money issue as anything. In fact i would argue that is what it is. However if this team makes a surge into the playoffs im pretty sure those seats would be filled. Also money management by the maloofs who essentially squeezed every hard core fan out of arco needs to be seriously looked at. Its 1 thing to fill a seat vs a mediocre team like indiana as opposed to an exciting team like dallas or phoenix or whatever.

by pookeyguru on Mar 6, 2007 4:03 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Artest will be arraigned on March 22.

Actually i think all this 'leave of absence' aka paid suspension does for the kings is overshadow the great season k-mart is having. All anybody nationally will talk about when it comes to the kings is the impact of not having ron artest will have (isnt it obvious by now what kind of impact it has???) and what the 'other' guys will have to do. I just think it will give the ron artest camp a chance to see what the team will do without him for a period of time. I actually like that given whats already happened up to this point.

by pookeyguru on Mar 6, 2007 9:53 AM PST reply actions

Re: Artest will be arraigned on March 22.

Exactly, re: the overshadowing.

In other thoughts, welcome back! Haven't seen you since the old blog!

by Tom Ziller on Mar 6, 2007 10:25 AM PST up reply actions

Re: Artest will be arraigned on March 22.

thanks dude...sorry i havent typed anything since...i signed up for the new blog..but then i forgot my password & things...so i ended up saying screw it....kinda wish i hadnt...i would have vented for many months over adelman's firing.....lol

by pookeyguru on Mar 6, 2007 10:46 AM PST reply actions

Re: Artest will be arraigned on March 22.

I say Kevin Martin goes for 40+ at least once in the next couple of games, and if Mike Bibby did pick him up, that would be awesome. I don't know why, but it would be awesome.

by CAB on Mar 6, 2007 3:48 PM PST reply actions