Ron Artest's Big Move: But Was It The Best Move?

It's a long way from being the NBA's face of evil incarnate. After a few quiet, though unsuccessful, seasons in Sacramento, Ron Artest's image as a citizen was mostly rehabilitated. After a shockingly successful playoff run in Houston, the last several games of which featured him as the Rockets' primary, and some would say only, offensive option, Artest's career was positively rejuvenated. Coming into the offseason, Artest was being named as one of the most important free agents in this year's class, and all the championship contenders and potential-laden pretenders saw him as an essential piece to their puzzle. It was reported that Artest had had dinner with LeBron James just a few days before agreeing contract terms with the Los Angeles Lakers. Rather than try to assist LeBron (and that new large dancing fella the Cavs picked up on draft day...not the one from the Congo , either) in setting up that Nike's-wet-dream of a Finals matchup against Kobe Bryant's Lakers, Ron decided he'd rather be ... (link)