Artest misses Pacers' morning shootaround

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2003/bask...t.ap/index.html

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- Indiana Pacers forward Ron Artest missed the team's morning shootaround for Monday night's game against the Memphis Grizzlies because he overslept, two nights after being benched during a loss to New Jersey.

Artest was benched for the second half of Saturday night's loss to New Jersey for what coach Rick Carlisle called "conduct detrimental to winning." He called the team Monday morning to tell them he would be late, Carlisle said.


Carlisle said he has scheduled a meeting with Artest for Monday afternoon to talk about the player's behavior and would start Al Harrington in his place against the Grizzlies.

The coach and player have disagreed about Carlisle's methodical offensive system, which calls for set plays on most trips down the floor. Their differences came to a head against the Nets, when Artest took three 3-pointers out of the flow of the offense in the first quarter.

Artest also gave a lackluster defensive effort and argued with Carlisle at halftime, prompting the coach to bench him for the entire second half.

When asked if missing the shootaround will affect his playing time against the Grizzlies, Carlisle replied, "I would have to say yes, but we'll find out. We have to talk to him to reach a resolution. Does that mean he's not going to play at all? Not necessarily."</div>

And just as it looked like Artest was getting his act together. Carlisle wasn't seen as a 'people person' in Detriot, this will surely test him again.

 

This is not good for Artest. Carlisle does not take disrespect from anybody, Piston players learned this and now Artest will learn this. It is too bad though, he was playing really well.

I can't blame Artest for arguing with Carlisle about his offense though, it his horrible. There is no freedom.

 

"Ron-Ron" has done his best to keep his outbursts under wraps so far this year, and has done a good job of it. But after the game the other night when he argued with Carlisle during the game, he really kissed all of that "good-faith" goodbye. As PyroManiac said, Carlisle is a well-known red-a*#. He's as no-nonsense as it gets when it comes to demanding respect. If Artest would have approached him one-on-one, after the game, things would probably have worked themselves out. But, since he decided to blow a gasket on the sideline, and make "trade me if you don't like me" comments, he's now found a permanent spot on Carlisle's "list". I don't see him staying in Indy too much longer, who wants to take him on is the bigger question. Although....New York is his home state...and they just happen to need some defense at the 3 spot. Hmmm..

 

I think anybody will want Artest. He has been better this year, and everybody can have an off game. I think Pistons want him more than the Knicks though, but the Pacers wouldn't trade to the rivals! He just won't stay in Indiana for too long, that is certain.

 

The sad part about this is that he doesnt care about what he does and the actions they will take on him....

 

Expect to see a significantly large public punishment for this. Carlisle will want to send a message that this is not tolerated.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Expect to see a significantly large public punishment for this. Carlisle will want to send a message that this is not tolerated.</div>

Yup, Carlisle will blast him in the media.

 

I can't believe Artest was allowed to play against Memphis. First he disses the coach, then he sleeps in and misses morning shootaround - what sort of message does that send his teammates if he's not suspended for that sort of behaviour? I don't care if you're Eric Montross or Kobe Bryant, that's unnacceptable.