Today Show: Delusional Artest Fails to Apologize, Says "It's Time to Move On"

The Today Show | governsleast governsbest

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Today scored a major exclusive this morning with the first TV interview of NBA player Ron Artest, who as FReepers who've spent the last week on the other side of the moon might not know, has been suspended for the remainder of the season for charging into the stands and attacking fans.

This is a case in which mere words, even a verbatim transcript, would be insufficient to fully convey the full flavor of the interview.

In a follow-up interview, NBA Players' Union head Billy Hunter acknowledged to Katie that Artest was "not very articulate."

But that does not begin to convey the situation. It is not simply that Artest is incapable of clearly expressing his thoughts. It's that his thoughts are so deeply detached from reality. I can only conclude that he suffers from a significant learning disability, a severe psychological disorder, or more likely, some combination of the two.

For in all his words and emotions, it was clear that Artest has absolutely no concept of the gravity of the situation or of his role in it.

You'll find below highlights of the interview, conducted by Matt Lauer, but I again stress their inability to fully describe just how detached from reality was Artest.

Let's begin by observing that he never apologized. The closest he came was at the beginning of the interview when he said "I wish it never happened, it wasn't good for anyone." But wishing something hadn't happened is, of course, a million miles from accepting responsibility for the fact that it did, and from apologizing to those who have been harmed or offended.

Artest then stated that NBA Commissioner "David Stern has been good to me but I don't think the number of games of the suspension [73 - the remainder of the season] is fair."

Why does Artest think the length of the suspension is unfair? Because "I want to help the league improve its image." Right. Just the person anyone would choose as its image-makeover expert - Ron Artest.

Far from admitting that he has become, in the wake of Dennis Rodman's retirement, the #1 face of everything that is wrong with the NBA, Artest tried to portray himself as some kind of good-will ambassador. "I've been working real hard and putting forth a number of positive things."

Artest then actually held up the CD he has been working to produce, the one for which he announced last week that he wanted to take a couple months off from his team to devote himself to. "It's about love," said Artest of the CD.

Artest then tried to make light of his past suspensions for violent behavior. In one of those cases, he had smashed a TV camera while leaving the court. "I need that camera. I paid $100,000 for it [in fines] and didn't get a piece of it." Apparently he thought that humor was the appropriate emotion for the day.

Artest then boasted of the fact that "I never harmed anyone." Makes you wonder what he was trying to do when he was throwing haymakers at fans in the stands?

Asked to explain why he went into the stands, Artest statede: "I was frustrated. The tape speaks for itself."

He continued, describing the situation when he was lying on a table at courtside and was hit by a cup of beer: "It was just like 'wow, a cup and a beer,' it almost hit my eye. It was like 'wow.'"

Lauer: "Did it pop into your mind that 'I've crossed a line'?"

Revealing the extent of his self-delusion, Artest replied:

"I think I'm pretty disciplined. You can answer the questions from the tape."

The camera then zoomed in on the t-shirt he was wearing. It bore the legend "tru warier" [sic] with a crouched basketball player forming the letter 'a'. I wonder which PR genius suggested he go on the show wearing that, or did this flow from Artest's own brilliant mind?

As to what should be the reaction to the incident, Artest, in the depths of his delusion, advised: "I think we just move on. Things happen and you just move on."

Lauer: "What would you say to kids who saw the incident?"

Artest: "They saw disrespect from the crowd and reaction from a frustrated player. I would tell them that sometimes things happen and you just have to move on."

Throughout the interview, Artest wore a smile and a "what-me-worry?" expression. He clearly had no clue as to the seriousness of his actions or the implications for himself or his profession.

Then it was on to Katie's interview of NBA union head Billy Hunter, a former player himself. It seemed clear that, off camera, Hunter had been horrified by what Artest said and how he expressed himself.

Katie tried to call him on it, saying "I watched you during the interview." But Hunter would not admit to what his true reaction had been. Instead, he claimed that Artest had apologized. Katie called him on it: "is that what you heard?"

Backtracking somewhat, Hunter then acknowledged that "obviously he's not very articulate." Hunter asserted that the punishment was "a bit excessive. He should have been required to attend anger management and allowed to come back after the All Star break."

Katie jumped: "But isn't he already in anger management?"

Hunter: "Not really, he's gone through it in the past but not in it now."

It was clear that Katie was shocked and disturbed by what Artest said and how he said it. There was a sense that she and Matt were embarrassed by what they had witnessed.

In any case, the image clearly emerges of a Ron Artest with only the flimsiest connection to reality. A suspension of a year is not long enough if, as is apparently the case, he has no concept gravity of the situation.

The interview was a disaster for the NBA and for Artest personally, and offered a revealing and troubling insight into the problems of our society at large.

[MikefromOhio]

What the hell is the WNBA? /sarcasm

[OXENinFLA]

Laura Ingraham is hitting this now.....


http://www.wjgr.com/default.aspx

[SZonian]

Listening to talk radio yesterday, they stated a statistic that a little over 20% of NBA players have some type of felony conviction, and that about half of those are for violent crimes.

The NBA brought this on themselves after Sprewell choked his coach and all they did suspend him for a while and send him to anger management. Folks like this need to be banned for life.

One caller said it's the fans fault because they want to see these players, and I tend to agree to a point. They'd get over it after a while and find someone else to root for.

But in reality, until the leagues get a handle on their sports and their players, this will start to become the norm. Owners need to hit these guys where it hurts the most, right in the check book.

Cheers!

[rabidralph]

Laura Ingraham is going off about Artest and his Today interview.

[fatima]

governsleastgovernsbest,That was a good read,thank you.

[rabidralph]

"Where's the camera at?" Laura is hot about this and hoping that Bill Cosby will address this whole event.

[ABG(anybody but Gore)]

Damn, Laura(aka the future Mrs. ABG) is really getting into it, referring to TRIPOTUS now.

[not_apathetic_anymore]

One caller said it's the fans fault because they want to see these players, and I tend to agree to a point. They'd get over it after a while and find someone else to root for.

I agree. I havent't attended an NBA game for probably 7 years. But for the 6 years prior to that I split a set of season tickets with 4 others.

We quit because it was just too expensive, and we got tired of supporting people who whined about making millions of dollars to play a game.

I haven't missed it at all.

[MikefromOhio]

boycott all sports? Who is detached from reality now?


sports, especially football, have been what kept me going the past 3 months in Baghdad. Boycotting them is insane. but as your boycott hasnt worked, the TV money is still flowing and the salaries are going up.

this incident, while horrible, reprehensible and the like, really wont matter in the long run. the NBA has been on a downward trend since Jordand second retirement, which is why they continually make such noise about Kobe (selfish, overrated, not a team player, cant hit a clutch shot) or LeBron James (still a youngster). They dont have the one superstar that lifted them into the mega millions like Jordan did. Their high point was probably 97-98 and it has been downhill ever since.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Can you give a summary of what Laura had to say about the Artest Today Show interview? Thanks.

[redrunner]

This guy will never change... Read this article about Artest written on 11/12/04 at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6462160

The NBA is better off without him...

[rabidralph]

It was clear that Katie was shocked and disturbed by what Artest said and how he said it.

Do you think she's disturbed that this is the kind of person she and the Dem party champion every day in the MSM or is she disturbed that Artest couldn't defend himself?

[Final Authority]

Were you around in the '80s when Terry O'Reilly, Peter McNabb, and Mike Millbury of the Bruins went jumped over the boards in Madison Square Garden and beat a few fans up? I believe Millbury took off one of the fan's shoes and used it as a black jack on the guys head. The melee started when a fan reached over the glass and grabbed a stick near the Bruin's bench and started to swing it at Terry. He connected a couple of times then the coach sent them over the glass to retrieve it. I believe the fines and suspensions were quite reasonable. I can't remember but they couldn't have gotten more than a five game suspension for their trouble.

[Types_with_Fist]

Well, I continue to be appalled by the support this dangerous nitwit has been getting here in this forum and on ESPN. What he did was not "manly," "proportional," nor "intelligent." The idiot in the white cap has been blamed for starting it all. But the melee began when Artest rushed -- over people -- into the stands. Everyone, apologists and all who support him, will learn they are wrong only when this maniac kills someone. But, maybe not even then.

[newbolt]

I agree. I Also saw the interview and it appeared to me that Hunter had the wind knocked out of him by Artest's performance. He was saying what was expected of him but with no conviction. He was obviously embarrassed.

[Miss Marple]

Hi, ABG! This is all over the radio here in Indy. Apparently Artest was scheduled for a promotional interview concerning his new album on one of the local radio stations, and Today got wind of it and sent a satellite truck there. So his album promotion was probably a continuation of his radio interview.

HOWEVER, I have noticed a disturbing reluctance to say anything negative about this guy or the others involved. The major talk radio station's sports reporter (speaking on air as I was driving to my son's house) said that Artest has a "big heart" and the news reporter said he was almost "child-like" in his honesty.

As big a disgrace as this guy is, the media here is an even bigger one. I don't suppose that the Simon Mall money has something to do with it, do you? (The Simons own the Pacers.) It is discouraging how this guy is being treated like a victim, locally.

[Buttaboom]

BTW, what was Katie wearing?

Tight black turtleneck sweater with black leather shoulder patches with silver buckles; black and white micro mini houndstooth skirt (looked like wool to me); black fishnet stockings and black patent leather stilettos.

In other words, something a woman 20 years younger and ten times more attractive should be wearing.

[rabidralph]

She just raged about the inarticulateness of Artest and how the MSM puts down conservatives for pointing out the decline of our culture, when it's occurring right before us and manifested by this whole episode. She also blasted Billy Hunter and Artest for blaming the war in Iraq for the fights. She plays sound clips of the punk and then comments. She is on fire. She is also taking calls from people.
Listen live at KSKY.

[clintonh8r]

Here's my prediction: Artest's suspension will be reduced through pressure from the union and , yes, Pacers fans (Stern and Artest will announce this in a joint press conference); the victims will be bought off and will not press charges; Stern will declare a victory for the "system" and for the NBA and will hail the progress that has been made. The league will then go back to business as usual, the fans will continue to overpay for tickets, the networks will continue to overpay for rights, and the monied thugs will continue to prosper.