The Top 50

#23 – Ron Artest

Ron’s got some issues. Sure, all of us do to some extent, but the guy’s just plain nuckin’ futs. Domestic disputes. Absence requests to promote rap albums. Igniting the most infamous brawl in North American sports history. His rap sheet goes on, such that most guys whose names attached to it would’ve been out of the league years ago. Artest though, much like his fan-fighting former partner in crime Stephen Jackson, makes crazy look too damn good.

Ron is what he is; probably the most intense guy in the league. Raw and unchained, he’s a beast on both ends of the court, his excellence birthed from equal parts basketball skill and utter insanity. Compounding the danger of this fragile mind is the body that houses it; that rare Lebron-ish combination of strength and agility. His imposing 6’8” frame can muscle up with bigger players and just plain bully everybody else, whether he’s making moves to the hoop or getting in the way of someone else’s. Many would argue he’s the best defender in the league and absolutely nobody would tell him otherwise to his face. On the other hand, Artest is also an adept scorer with a streaky shot and indomitable will to get at the basket. He handles and passes extremely well for a player his size, though some would, all too naturally, question his decision making from time to time.

Artest will be arriving in Houston amid much apprehension. His play will be of great value to a team like the Rockets that prides itself on defense and could use another gun when T-Mac or Yao invariably gets injured. But then there’s the always –present worry about his frame of mind. Is he still the same guy who applied for a part-time job at Circuit City to cash in on employee discounts, or are we to believe him when he says he’s matured and will help bring a title back to Texas. One thing’s for sure, it’ll be entertaining in any regard, but hopefully this time for the right reasons.