Monday, December 12, 2005, 08:58 PM EST
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Ron Artest]
If the articles on Wikipedia were actually true, there would be a picture of Ron Artest on the page for the entry for the word "enigma." As such, one of the few places you will actually find Ron Artest is in Conseco Fieldhouse as a member of the Indiana Pacers. But probably not for much longer.
In a recent interview with the Indianapolis Star, the 26-year-old Queensbridge native asked to be traded from the Pacers because, among other things, he believes that his past with his current team still haunts him. Under normal circumstances, this wouldn't be front-page news - players ask to be dealt all of the time. Then again, there aren't many players like the Pacers' small forward.
Let the record show that Artest - who refers to himself as a "Tru Warier" - is a former All-Star, a former Defensive Player of the Year and a more-than-capable scorer, averaging 19.4 points per game this season. But let's not forget that this is also the same man who was suspended for destroying a television camera at Madison Square Garden and who asked for a month off during the season because he was tired from promoting an R&B album he had produced. Yet neither of those transgressions are what got Artest to the point where he is now.
No matter what happens for the remainder of his career - and, quite possibly, his life - he will forever be linked with the infamous brawl at the Palace on November 19 of last year. Despite the fact that he was provoked, he will forever be that man who crossed the invisible barrier between athlete and fan, between spectator and sportsman. Not that he was the first to do so, nor will he be the last, but the images from that night - folding chairs thrown into crowds, players climbing into stands to throw punches at fans, children needing to be consoled - will be ingrained in us for generations to come. And, for better or worse, the one man most associated with that surreal incident is Ron Artest - Tru Warier.
It seems that Artest simply wants to start fresh with a new team, and who can blame him? He is an incredibly talented player and, if you've been watching sports for long enough, you know that incredible talent will keep you employed, regardless of personal issues. So there will be many suitors lining up for the services of the Tru Warier, despite all of the "baggage" that he freely admits that he's carrying. And he will be traded to another team and continue to be the defensive stopper that he's been and help his new squad on their quest for an NBA championship. He may even make a few more All-Star teams and put a couple more Defensive Player of the Year Awards on his mantle at home. But his past will be there right along with him, following his every move. No matter how hard you try, there are certain things that you can't run from.
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