October 29, 2009 at 11:06 pm · by bteitelbaum · Filed under Lakers, NBA
There has been no shortage of discussion concerning the Lakers’ off-season acquisition of Ron Artest. Fans and pundits have alternately lambasted and praised the move, each side giving a compelling version of the truth about Ron. There has been debate over what role he will play on the court, whether his offensive style can adapt to the triangle and whether he is declining defensively. But conversation on Artest unfailingly returns to the subject of personality. Is he a self-indulgent, knuckleheaded, clubhouse cancer who could spring into the stands at any moment? Or is he a misunderstood, maturing man who is mentally ready to put the team first? (ESPN recently posted a fascinating video highlighting Artest’s complexities. See it here.)
Well, after one game I don’t think we can give a definitive answer. Nevertheless, I would like to posit a theory that to my knowledge has not been proposed before. It is somewhat counterintuitive, but I think it makes sense. Artest will be better in Los Angeles for two reasons: what the team is asking from him and the nature of the city. I know that broad topic sentence would probably earn a red underline in school, but please bear with me.
Coupled with his mercurial disposition, Artest’s unearthly talents may have been more a curse than a blessing. From the outset he faced expectations of being a star when he may actually be more suited to being a role player. The general public seems to assume that athletes who act out are pompous chasers of the spotlight, such as Terrell Owens. However, there is another completely different, often overlooked option: some people don’t know how to deal with the attention that is thrust upon them and therefore misbehave. Alongside Jermaine O’Neal, Artest was supposed to carry the Pacers to a championship. He might have been deluded into believing he was the right guy, even though it was never really possible. When he asked the Pacers for a leave of absence to pursue his rap career, he may have been subconsciously running away from the spotlight, rather than towards it.
Disregarding talent, there are people who, for psychological, emotional, or behavioral reasons, are unable to devote the type of unswerving concentration to a specific pursuit necessary to become the best. While most would theoretically like to get there, not everyone can be Michael or Kobe. Yet we are always anointing successors, telling players that they should be the next great one. Battling the disconnect between expectation and reality has rerouted many promising careers and may have pushed Artest over the edge.
The Lakers aren’t asking Artest to be great on the court. They’re merely asking him to be good and fit in. Maybe that’s all he’s needed to hear his whole career. Last year in Houston was the first time he was told something similar, as he was meant to complement Yao and TMac, and he was a solid citizen throughout. Free from the pressures of being a go-to-guy or the face of a franchise, Ron-Ron might be much more comfortable and less volatile.
Now let’s move to my second contention, that LA might be the perfect place for Artest to thrive. I’ve heard critics claim that the city holds too many distractions for Artest to be successful on the court. For years everyone said, “If only he could focus solely on basketball…” Well maybe Artest simply can’t. Maybe he needs diversions, needs to focus on more than basketball, to maintain equilibrium. As I mentioned earlier, he doesn’t appear to have that singular drive when it comes to hoops; Having no other outlets may have prompted his outbursts. He admittedly has various interests and hobbies that he won’t abandon for basketball, and LA gives him the easiest access and biggest opportunities.
So perhaps we should embrace the many facets of Ron Artest. Perhaps we should encourage him to get in the recording studio or go bowling with his fans. The happier he is in life, the happier he’ll be on the court. And perhaps if he isn’t required to focus exclusively on basketball, he will be more focused when it actually matters the most.
October 27, 2009 at 3:49 pm · by bteitelbaum · Filed under NBA, Rants and Raves
Last night I dreamed I was a professional wrestler with actual gravity-defying ability. It was pretty sweet. And it got me thinking, not only about seeing a therapist, but also about the NBA. I know, my brain makes strange connections… If nothing else it keeps life interesting. So I started wondering, if the NBA entertained like the WWE – and there are those who unfortunately believe it is just as scripted – what storylines would Commissioner David Stern write into this season? In no specific order, I believe Stern would want…
…Gilbert Arenas to play like 06-07 Arenas on the court and Hibachi/Agent Zero with the media. In the last two years, he’s been under the knife more than a filet mignon, playing only 15 total games and consequently turning the Wizards to ground chuck. In the last two months, the league’s best interview has refused to say anything interesting to reporters, instead claiming that he needs to focus solely on ball. Come on Gil, we need you to perform both on and off the court. Remember, your swag is phenomenal.
…Artest and Kobe to become best friends. Picture this: Uncle Ron, cooking eggs for Natalia and Gianna Bryant in the morning, reading to them before bed, massaging Black Mamba’s feet on the bench at the end of blowout wins. Talk about a rehabbed, yet still unsettling, image.
…D’Antoni’s Knicks to snag the last playoff spot in the East and push the #1 team to 7 games. They’re obviously gonna be fun to watch and they’re finally free from the toxins known as Starbury and Isiah. Could they do what the Warriors did to the Mavs in ‘08? I don’t think so, but it would be great to see them come close.
…at least 10 decent games from Greg Oden, and maybe even 3 double-doubles. Is that too much to ask? Right now he’s probably best known for looking around 20 years older than he really is. Remember that he’s still young, so let’s just see him start down the right path. First pick busts are no good for anybody. (Please Blake Griffin, get healthy soon.)
…the Cavs to either face the Lakers in the Finals or fail to make the postseason. It would be undeniably poetic for Shaq and Kobe to vie for that 5th title while LeBron chases his first. On the other side, a losing season would almost certainly impel King James to jump ship as a free agent this summer. That might mean a move to the Big Apple?!
…LeBron to come up big in the Dunk Contest. It’s been years since a premier wing player has deigned to participate in what has become the most watched event in any pro league’s all-star festivities. We know he throws down with power and grace in games; I just hope he doesn’t get overly ambitious and pull a Birdman.
…several other injury prone players to remain healthy for an entire year. Manu Ginobili, Amare Stoudemire, Gerald Wallace, Michael Redd, and Andrew Bynum are some of the most exciting and crucial players in the league. Their physical status may determine all-star selections, playoff berths, and even championships. I wish I could throw Yao and TMac on this list, but neither one will begin the season active.
…the Thunder to make serious strides. I would venture a guess that OKC has the most secondary fans in the league. That is to say, more people with a vested rooting interest also like Bill Simmons’ Zombie Sonics than any other team. I, for one, love to watch them play. They’re young, dynamic, and have a world of potential. but it is not a foregone conclusion that they will win with more regularity.
…several teams to chase 70 wins. I wouldn’t rule out the possibility of the Lakers, Celtics, Cavs, and Magic all getting close. They all improved this off-season.
…a highly competitive, fast paced, well played NBA Finals. The finals hasn’t gone 7 games since the 2005 borefest between the Spurs and Pistons. While last year’s entire postseason was dramatic and fun, the last round was rather anticlimactic. I honestly think that this year will be different.
There are also certain specific developments that Stern would be sure to avoid, such as…
…Dirk Nowitzki having another psycho, pregnant, felonious fiance. You just can’t make this stuff up, and it is incredibly intriguing. However, let’s leave those affairs to Letterman and his ilk, as they do not belong in the league. Moreover, I really feel bad for Dirkules; He’s a great player and from all reports a great guy. He didn’t deserve that drama last year, and he definitely doesn’t deserve any more.
…another incident with Charles Barkley. He’s one of the best players in history and commentators in the game today, but he’s divisive enough without the DUIs, gambling problems, etc. Chuck, go ahead and put a whoopee cushion under Kenny’s seat if you want, but don’t go much further.
…Steven Jackson being recognized by the public at all. He’s an idiot, an ingrate, an infection. And he’s not even fun to watch.
…talk about the upcoming collective bargaining negotiations insinuating its way into common conversation. Yes, it’s true there are already murmurs that a lockout might be impending, but there’s no need for them to overshadow great play. Furthermore, the NBA has more talent since the late ’80s, so let’s embrace the positive.
…the refs questionably deciding early games. Keep in mind that the refs missed all of preseason while arbitrating their own contracts. If there are any blown calls, this might become a hot topic. I am of the opinion that refs are doing their job best when they are not noticed or mentioned.
Regardless of Stern’s wishes, this season will doubtless not go according to script. Let’s just hope that whatever happens is magical.
October 26, 2009 at 9:23 pm · by bteitelbaum · Filed under Uncategorized
Been around the world and I… I can’t find my baby.
For better or worse, 80s one-hit wonders can usually express my feelings better than my own words can. Here I must give credit to Lisa Stansfield. As my faithful readership hopefully knows, I’ve done quite a lot of traveling in the last ten months. I lived in Barcelona, toured around Israel, and roadtripped across America. While I have undeniably had the most incredible times of my life, replete with profound spiritual experiences as well as admittedly more earthly pleasures, I felt there was something missing. I just couldn’t find a way to have the connection to the basketball world that I have always had. Maybe some of the blame lies with my ankle injury, which kept me out of action for the better part of my journeys. But assigning blame is insignificant. Now that I’ve finally arrived home, one of the few bright spots aside from the queen size bed and free food is basketball. The NBA and NCAA seasons are right around the corner, and I’m starting to get healthy again. Luckily for the literate sports fans out there, ballershorts is back too! Tomorrow I will be coming out with an NBA preview, so stay tuned.