"I wanna thank my psychiatrist"

[LakerLanny]

I think so too. With the way he was all over Pierce, forcing him to give up the ball all the time, forcing the Celtics to burn time on the shot clock whenever Pierce touched it, forcing him to shoot long jumpers, and generally stagnating their halfcourt sets, I think Artest really set the tone for the series. It was the best perimeter effort I have seen by a Laker since Fox in '01, and it was a carbon-copy of the way Ron completely took Manu out of the series when the Spurs and Kings met up the first round in 06. I didn't know he still had it in him after some disappointing years in Houston, but props to him.

Good post.

I thought Artest's D was the key to the series. Pierce has killed the Lakers over the years, particularly in the 2008 Finals.

Ariza was a great player for us last year, but no way does he guard PP as well as Ron did.

Ron also was the only guy on the Lakers to be able to relax enough to play his game in the critical Game 7. I was impressed with his composure all season and especially in (arguably) the biggest game in franchise history.

He has written his name into Laker lore with that performance and no matter what happens from here...no one can ever take that away from him.

[Solid D]

This is for mookie and anyone else who is defending Ron Artest for what some may think was a slam in this thread.

I think Ron is funny. He is entertaining and totally unpredictable. He's a loose cannon a la Dennis Rodman but with different issues. He makes the game more interesting, to be sure. Ron is a terrific defender and offensively he can be very difficult to stop once he gets the ball in his hands. Ron has admitted to making some poor choices over the years, as we all know. That doesn't fit into the equation here.

Ron's post game comments, including his press conference appearance were a "happening". A stream of consciousness flow of pure, honest Ron. It was hilarious and very entertaining! Unique and one-of-a-kind. That's all...no more and no less.

This thread is NOT intended to hate on Ron Ron. It is not meant to make fun of him, so don't try to turn the "lol" into that, please. The NBA is entertainment and that's one thing Ron always delivers on.

[Giuseppe]

The gravity of Artest post game Thursday night was this press conference and his confession to cowardice in front of the steeled gaze of his wife, and the downcast eyes of his mother & father. I'm sure his Doctor advised this public confession to cowardice as a means to still the rampage that Artest carries within him. He'd brought us to the end Thursday night, but minutes later on that podium was his greatest victory.

A man need not bury his mistakes, his failures as a man. Yes, even his cowardice can hold life. He only need acknowledge these regrets and do penance for them. They can coexist in his soul forever, right alongside all his goodness and success.

Ron Artest is living proof, and has provided a true lesson wherever man dwells.

[Solid D]

The gravity of Artest post game Thursday night was this press conference and his confession to cowardice in front of the steeled gaze of his wife, and the downcast eyes of his mother & father. I'm sure his Doctor advised this public confession to cowardice as a means to still the rampage that Artest carries within him. He'd brought us to the end Thursday night, but minutes later on that podium was his greatest victory.

A man need not bury his mistakes, his failures as a man. Yes, even his cowardice can hold life. He only need acknowledge these regrets and do penance for them. They can coexist in his soul forever, right alongside all his goodness and success.

Ron Artest is living proof, and has provided a true lesson wherever man dwells.

Yes, that was a great moment for Ron and his fans. It was a brief glimpse at repentance and a large step toward res ution. It was certainly a declaration of a personal victory in his life. It was likely quite therapudic, as you mentioned.

[duhoh]

Yes, that was a great moment for Ron and his fans. It was a brief glimpse at repentance and a large step toward res ution. It was certainly a declaration of a personal victory in his life. It was likely quite therapudic, as you mentioned.

ditto. ron's, no the nba's quote of the season for sure

[spurs10]

Artest was the biggest reason why we won this series.

21 freethrows in the 4th quarter to their 6 was the reason you won.

[Giuseppe]

The Celtics gambled that the officiating would not hold them accountable for the fouls that led to the 21 fts. It was a foolhardy strategy, as they could have won straight up. This inexplicable strategy bailed the Lakers out, not the officiating.