http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/sport...ves/014222.html A blogger from Sacramento Bee called Ron Artest shortly after Fran Blinebury's pot-stirring column on Yao's reaction to the trade. <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>It's good to catch you finally. How you feeling about this? I think being that third option I can be more effective. I think I could have the best season of my career as a third option because they can't double or triple team me anymore. We've still got to make sure there's still a commitment. That's the main thing, is to make sure there's still a commitment. When I speak to the powers-that-be of the Houston Rockets organization, we're going to find out how much they really want me there. We'll find out. I'm still waiting to find out if this is just a trade or if this is like a long-term commitment type thing. I haven't spoken to anybody yet. I'm still waiting. You don't technically have any say (in the trade), but if you decided you didn't want to go there then they might think twice about this. If they want me, I'm going. If they want me, and they're committed to Ron Artest, I'm gone. I don't have nothing to prove. I've been in the league going on 10 years. My first few years weren't as good as my last few years and my last seven years have been really consistent, so if they want me I'm gone and even if they don't want me, I still love Tracy McGrady. Every time I see him, he's always competitive, always shows love, and he always competes. I can't wait to play with Tracy McGrady, and I can't wait to play with Shane Battier and the rest of the guys like Rafer Alston. I just can't wait. I've got to ask you - you didn't mention Yao and I'm sure you've heard of some of the stuff he said back in China. Did that stuff catch you off guard? This is Tracy and Yao's team, you know. I'm not going to take it personal. I understand what Yao said, but I'm still ghetto. That's not going to change. I'm never going to change my culture. Yao has played with a lot of black players, but I don't think he's ever played with a black player that really represents his culture as much as I represent my culture. Once Yao Ming gets to know me, he'll understand what I'm about. Sometimes it's hard to get to know Ron Artest because I'm so down to earth to a fault. But once Yao Ming gets to know me, he'll understand what I'm about and that I'm a pretty intelligent basketball player. I know how to adapt. And all I have to do is play defense anyways, so I can't wait. But really, he doesn't have to talk to me because to me I'm going. But if Yao Ming needs to talk to his general manager and talk to Tracy, then if they want me, I am going. ...</div> First, it appears that this blogger/reporter is trying to stir up some controversy between Yao and Artest. Yao is impossible not to get along with, and Artest will know just what kind of guy he is when they finally meet in person and play with each other. That's not going to be a problem. But I am worried about his stance that he needs a long term commitment from the Rockets early. From the Rockets perspective, that would be a bad move. Ron still has a lot to prove, and he needs to understand that.
I kind of feel bad for Yao Wasn't he already having some issues with lack of touches? He's not gonna get more touches with Artest on the squad, that's for sure (still a fantastic trade though)
This is just the media overreacting. Yao, from his comments, definitely was on board with the trade. He just stated the obvious things that would need to be smoothed out if the Rockets were to be successful. The SacBee journalist was just trying to stir up drama. Ron Artest is hilarious though.
