Sunday, August 1st, 2010 at 10:30 am  |  38 responses

Ron Artest Talks About Drinking, Fear Of Water

‘At 15 I started to get twisted, and at 16 I was getting lit up on a regular basis.’

Ron Artest graced the cover of this week’s ESPN The Magazine. In it he discusses a whole lot of things, none more interesting than, well, everything. Here are a few tidbits: “‘Alcohol was part of the problem. At 15 I started to get twisted, and at 16 I was getting lit up on a regular basis. By the time the Bulls drafted me, I’d drink in the house all day, then go play a game. But I stopped drinking heavily in Sacramento. I’m sure I wouldn’t have made the same mistakes if I hadn’t been drinking. Was I crazy, or was I not sober enough to have a clear mind? That’s the question.’

‘I’m much more mellow now. I can control myself on the court. If I get fouled, I say what I gotta say and move on. I don’t mind being punked anymore. If someone gets in my face, I just walk away. Against the Celtics in the Finals, Tony Allen got in my face, but I don’t got the time for Tony Allen. Now, if you’re a star and you’re talking trash, I’ll talk back. All series long, Paul Pierce was talking: ‘You’re a bum, you can’t score, you can’t guard me, I’m busting your ass.’ Everything.’

‘[I'm most at peace] at the beach. Man, give me a mango drink, some sand, that water, and it’s all good. I love running in the sand. But sometimes I’m scared as hell of water. Whenever I’m out there, I’m thinking, Damn, some tidal wave is about to come! Okay, so maybe I’m not totally at peace at the beach.’”

  • Add a Comment
  • Share
  • RSS

Tags: , , , , ,

  • http://itsahardwoodlife.blogspot.com omphalos

    God damn he’s a weird dude.

  • Ryan

    Awesome.

  • NJ4Life

    hahahahahaha ^that sums it up

  • bill breedley

    Still nothing on markazi article. Slam becoming an ESPN jr

  • larrylegend

    now the question is, how the bulls couldn’t recognized ron was drunk all the time?

  • The Philosopher

    To The Masses:
    Always do sober what you said you’d do drunk.
    That will teach you to keep your mouth shut. (Ernest Hemingway)

  • The Philosopher

    The first thing in human personality that dissolves in alcohol is dignity. (unknown)

  • http://kb24.com Bigi

    “Tony Allen got in my face, but I don’t got the time for Tony Allen.” -> PRICELESS!!!

  • http://thekobebeef.wordpress.com LDR4

    Maybe if Pierce had focused more on the game instead of jawing with the Tru Warier he would have shot better than 42% and not turned the ball over 2.5 times on average during the series. Oh wait…Artest is the reason for that. Love Artest, glad he has his ring. Also glad to see him doing better.

  • WangChung

    Loved the part about the beach. Kinda sounds like something Delonte would say.

  • IAMORANGE4EVER

    He is Ron Ron, hear him roar.

  • http://staticseth.blogspot.com Seth

    Ron should just put out a book with all this stuff.

  • Mr. Robinson

    I’ll beat Ron Artest’s ass.

  • EJ

    Pierce is gay and so ugly already that Ron didn’t bother to work his face, that’s really why he didn’t go nuts, not cause he doesn’t drink much anymore.

  • http://slamonline.com Adam Fleischer

    Props for his honesty.

  • flash

    ron u da man!

  • ConeyIslander

    SMH. lol

  • creamadacrop

    but yo honestly is drinking and smoking up at those ages really that much different from about 75% o highschool kids…

  • asmaticasiatic2

    Gotta give dude respect for being able to ball at a high level albeit inconsistant after a couple drinks. I did that once and won 7 pick up games in a row in my prime but it took me about a hour to sober up and shoot consistantly….

  • JTaylor21

    Damn bill breedly give it up already. Your PMSing ways are beyond suicidal.

  • http://www.springbored.net letsmotor

    one thing I love about Ron Artest: he’s honest. honest about the fact that he needed some help and honest about mistakes he’s made. love the last part when he says MJ would’ve busted his ass.

  • kriz

    i cry for michael. homie dont tell a lie

  • Sam

    I like his comments on Tony Allen. NOOOOBODY has the time for Tony Allen. As a Detroit guy, we still don’t like him around here, but even though he admits to his drinking, it still doesn’t cover the worst brawl in NBA, or even in sports history.

  • jamesssss

    best quote ever lol “and I had a bad game because Coach Jackson was getting on my nerves.”

  • The D Train

    Love Ron. Loved him from the jump in Chicago. Steppin’ up and crackin’ ribs.

  • The D Train

    also: what is it about Ron that makes me want to go listen to Kool Keith after reading his interviews?

  • RealTalk

    He’s gonna snap real soon.

  • http://slamonline BossTerry

    hmmm. I woulda thought water had a fear of Artest..

  • Robb

    @BossTerry that sounded like a Chuck Norris joke

  • underdog

    Man, this guy is awesome.

  • underdog

    I’ve read the whole Q&A, it’s not just classic, it’s mandatory for every hoop fan. Gotta love Ron Ron.

  • Anthony

    “I own defense. It’s like my corporation. I’m the CEO and everyone else is just an employee.”

    Best Defensive Quote of the Year.

  • RayRayJr

    And this is why I LOVE RonRon. And Why I LOVE the Lakers. LA gets RonRon and we win a ‘ship. Let LA get somone else who Kobe has battled with…Who is the last person in FA we would look for?…MATT BARNES! BAM! LOVE IT! 3 – PEAT! BOOK IT! HATE IT!

  • IAMORANGE4EVER

    The Lakers did make some nice additions this off-season. Hate it.

  • rikson

    Ron Artest… street kid- rapper – thug! So much love for a guy that beat up a fan??? Ein Prolo meiner Meinung nach!

  • Anthony

    rikson, the Lebron James fan club is on the other side of the street.

  • http://slamonline.com Allenp

    For the record, Kobe shot 40.9 percent from the field and averaged 3.9 turnovers in the Finals. So, if Kobe can win MVP, and thus be able to talk, then I think Pierce can open his mouth as well. lol.

  • RyandC

    except P2 won sh*t haha

Advertisement