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Taking a page out of former Phil Jackson forward Dennis Rodman’s book, Lakers defensive stopper Ron Artest got a little work done on his hair.
The night before the Lakers take on the Magic on Sunday at Amway Arena in Orlando, Artest explained on his Twitter page that he had the word “defense” worked into his newly-died hair in three different languages (Hindi, Japanese and Hebrew), and in Purple and Gold.
Below are the pictures he posted:
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Phil Jackson needed just one word to describe Ron Artest’s effort against Carmelo Anthony and the Denver Nuggets after L.A.’s 95-89 win on Sunday: “remarkable.”
High praise from Caesar, indeed.
In our postgame wrap of the Lakers win, we detailed Artest’s performance:
Sparking that defense was the terrific individual effort from Ron Artest, who was draped so close to Carmelo Anthony all night that ‘Melo may as well have worn cologne named “Ron Ron.” Anthony made only 7-of-19 field goal attempts, turned the ball over eight times and fouled out while trying to create space from Artest late in the fourth quarter. Artest tied a season high with six steals, and even went off for 17 points himself (’Melo had 21) thanks in part to four 3-pointers, plus four boards and four assists.
Not bad.
“It was just about playing decent and a lot of effort,” explained Artest. “(Anthony) is definitely one of the better players in the NBA, but when I am hungry I don’t really worry about the offensive players even if they have a good game. I know that if I am doing my job, we should be OK.”
Artest, citing improved conditioning due to his trimming more than 10 pounds (and counting) off his frame, also pointed out that he’s held the last six individual offensive players he’s faced since the All-Star break below their respective averages, which is a constant goal for the Queens, New York, native.
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Among the reasons Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak was eager to get Ron Artest into L.A.’s doors in the offseason was the forward’s solid three-point shooting.
And after a slow start, Artest has gotten hot from distance, improving to 40.1 percent from three-point range to lead the Lakers:
Lakers Three-Point Percentage (minimum 50 attempts):
1) Ron Artest - 40.1
2) Sasha Vujacic - 35.8
3) Derek Fisher - 35.0
4) Jordan Farmar - 34.7
5) Shannon Brown - 33.3
6) Kobe Bryant - 32.7
7) Lamar Odom - 29.5
Artest has been particularly hot in February, nailing 8-of-13 attempts, including three straight big ones to turn the tide of L.A.’s road win in Portland on Saturday:
Artest Month-by-Month From Three
October/November: 39.1 percent
December: 32.7 percent
January: 43.1 percent
February: 61.5 percent
Among a few explanations for Artest’s increased accuracy is his improved understanding of L.A.’s offense - thus, where to get his shots - and his improved health, which he detailed after the Lakers win in Philadelphia on Jan. 29.
Artest, a career 34.7 percent shooter from three that shot 39.9 percent last season, currently ranks 23rd in the NBA in three-point percentage; the No. 10 spot (42.9 percent) is well within range particularly if his shooting trend continues.
It wasn’t until Jan. 24 in Toronto that we confirmed Ron Artest had been suffering from plantar fasciitis in both feet.
It wasn’t until Friday evening in Philadelphia that Artest admitted that the pain had been there dating all the way back to the previous season.
Fortunately for both Artest and the Lakers, the pain finally seems to be subsiding.
The evidence could be seen on the floor across L.A.’s last three road wins and in particular during L.A.’s 99-91 victory over the Sixers (he scored 18 points and locked down Andre Iguodala) and heard off of it.
“I started to feel good in Toronto,” said Artest. “Ever since Toronto I’ve been running really fast, and moving. Just moving. Even in the game where I had two points (Indiana), I felt great.”
Artest explained that while playing for Houston last season, he had torn two ligaments in his ankle but decided not to rest as he was not only trying to help his team, but because it was a contract year and he was determined to put himself in the best position to help his family.
“I played on bad ankles, and (the pain) went from my ankle to the bottom of my heel right to the bottom of my foot, and it kept on going from there,” he said. “I rested in the summer time, but I never really addressed it.”
Artest credited L.A.’s training staff with its great job in helping him rehabilitate the injury this season, all the way through his breakthrough in Toronto. He couldn’t have been happier to get his legs back; in fact, he had gone so far as to question his age.
“I’m like, ‘Is it fixable? Am I just getting old?’” said the 30-year-old small forward. “But (now) I”m able to play hard. I feel almost like old Ron, like I might be able to get it back.”
The best evidence, to Artest, came during the Washington and Indiana back-to-back games this past week, when he was still able to run well despite heavy minutes. He said that L.A.’s trainers continue to help him with the bottoms of his respective feet so he can carry his weight, and it’s working, particularly on defense.
“I couldn’t chase anybody that was coming off a curl, and that was a problem,” he explained. “I wasn’t able to really pressure, but ever since my feet have been feeling well, I’ve been able to pick up (defensively), run and cause havoc defensively. It’s great, I’m just happy that (athletic trainer) Gary (Vitti) helped me.”
The 18 points he scored against Philadelphia were key to L.A.’s win, as the first 10 helped overcome Kobe Bryant’s slow 1-of-7 start, and the last six were back-to-back three-pointer in the final three minutes that sealed the win. But it was his three steals and lockdown defense of Philly’s best player, Iguodala (3-of-7 from the field for eight points) that really impacted the game.
Yet as Artest revealed, his goals are simple.
“I don’t care about the points at all, I just care that I can run and cut hard,” he said. “Stop short, move again, hustle, chase hard off down screens, that’s all I care about.”
There’s another explanation, however (at least in Artest’s mind), to why his defense hadn’t been as good as it once was. In both Houston (especially after Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming went down with injuries) and in Sacramento, he was asked to handle the offense. But with Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum, Artest said all he has to focus on is “hustling.”
Now that his feet are finally feeling good, he can do just that.
Phil Jackson acknowledged before Sunday’s game against Toronto that Ron Artest is suffering from plantar fasciitis in both feet.
“We haven’t had any conversation about sitting out, but if it continues, he may have to,” said Jackson.
Artest, who generally prefers not to discuss his injuries, is averaging 11.6 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.4 assists while leading the team in three-point shooting at 39.6 percent, boosted by his 3-of-3 from distance against the Knicks on Friday.
We learned quite a bit after Monday’s practice on the Lakers’ injury front, which kept Lamar Odom (gastrointestinal discomfort) and Pau Gasol (left hamstring strain) out of the building but saw Ron Artest (concussion) return to the fold.
Here’s the update after Lakers shootaround on Tuesday as it relates to L.A.’s game against Houston tonight: Odom participated in shootaround and will play; Artest is expected to play; Gasol will not play.
Artest saw his neurologist on Tuesday morning and was cleared to play, though the pair will reunite prior to the game to make sure everything is go for launch.
Prior to Sunday’s game against Dallas, Phil Jackson said that Ron Artest was cleared to practice on Monday, and that the team was hopeful he could play on Tuesday against Houston.
Artest had earlier told reporters that he doubted he’d be ready by Tuesday’s game (while acknowledging that it was a possibility), but when told of Jackson’s statement, had this to say: “Whatever they tell me to play, I’ll go.”
Artest went on to explain that he’s certainly feeling better, and that while he’s not completely “comfortable,” he is happy to play when he’s not 100 percent.
“Five days ago it was pretty bad, but Monday will be 10 days, so basically I’m on schedule,” he said. “I’m feeling pretty good now.”
Artest went through the team’s entire shootaround session on Sunday morning, including shooting and running drills, and (as Jackson said) is expected to practice fully with contact on Monday.
He’ll then be evaluated once again, and a decision will be made as to his availability for Tuesday.
On Wednesday afternoon at L.A.’s practice facility, Ron Artest did around 10 minutes of walking on a treadmill, but is still experiencing dizziness and has not yet been cleared by the neurologist with whom he meets each day.
L.A.’s starting small forward addressed reporters for the first time on Tuesday evening to go over what details he remembered of his Christmas day fall that caused a concussion and mandated stitches to his head and elbow.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE VIDEO.
Kobe Bryant, who was the first person Artest thought to contact (via text message) after his fall, had this to say Tuesday’s game: “He’s a warrior like I am, he plays through everything, so for him to be out it has to really be bothering him.”
Artest is still listed as “day-to-day,” and will continue to meet with the neurologist until he is cleared to play.
Monday, December 28
****Update: Ron Artest continues to improve, but will not join the team in Phoenix for Monday night’s game against the Suns.
Sunday, December 27
The condition of Ron Artest, who suffered a concussion after falling down stairs in his home, has improved.
Artest visited the neurologist office on Sunday, but will need to go once again on Monday before being cleared to play against the Suns.
“We’re hopeful that he’ll play tomorrow,” said Phil Jackson. “But he has to be seen (by doctors) and go through that process.”
Jackson added that he hasn’t spoken to Artest personally, but has been informed that he’s doing “much better now.”
The head coach is also unsure as to whether he will again start Lamar Odom in place of Artest if Ron Ron isn’t able to go.
From LA’s PR staff:
****UPDATE
2:38 p.m., Saturday Dec. 26:
Ron Artest was examined today in Los Angeles by a neurologist. Diagnosis from his examination showed that Artest did suffer a concussion in last night’s fall. Artest’s condition has improved since last night; however, he will continue to see a neurologist on a daily basis until he is cleared to return. He is definitely out for tonight’s game against the Kings at Sacramento and his status beyond that will be considered day-to-day.
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10:15 a.m., Saturday Dec. 26:
Lakers Forward Ron Artest was injured last night at his home when he tripped over a box and fell down a flight of stairs, suffering an injury to his head and left elbow.
Artest received treatment at the emergency room at UCLA Medical Center, where he was released after undergoing a series of tests, including a CT scan. He received stitches to the back of his head and to his elbow.
Artest did not accompany the team to Sacramento this morning and is not expected to play in tonight’s game against the Kings. Artest will be examined today in Los Angeles by a neurologist and after that examination, an update will be given with an estimate as to when Artest will be able to rejoin the team.
FROM LAKERS.com
