http://www.nypost.com/sports/24784.htm
ARTEST CAN POINT AT HIMSELF
By MARC BERMAN
May 26, 2004 -- INDIANAPOLIS - The only statement Ron Artest
has made in the Eastern Conference Finals is with his two
middle fingers.
His late-fourth quarter gesture puts him under the NBA gun
again, though Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said the league
assured him he won't be suspended for tonight's Game 3.
Artest has stunk it up the first two games, shooting a dreadful
11 of 41, with his 6-of-21 brick show costing the Pacers dearly
in a 72-67 loss in Game 2 Monday night. Now he's likely to be
fined by the league again as it reviews another of his quirky
antics.
After committing an offensive foul with 2:25 left, he ran back
upcourt, with both his middle fingers sticking straight up, to
no one in particular. The TV cameras caught it, though, and
sources say he's done that trick before.
"I definitely regret it," Artest said. "It's something that I
have to learn to contain."
In the first round, Artest was suspended one game for running
onto the court during an altercation. The St. John's product has
been fined and suspended repeatedly across his career, even once
for smashing an MSG TV camera after a loss at the Garden.
But Artest is more disappointed with his game than his temper.
Averaging a team-leading 20.2 points in the playoffs, Artest's
offensive ineptitude is reason why the Pacers lost homecourt
advantage and are 1-1 heading to Detroit tonight for Game 3. "I've
played two horrible games," Artest said.
Artest, the Queensbridge product who emerged as an All-Star this
year, has passed up open looks at the perimeter to drive with
the ball. But he's taking contested shots with the taller
Tayshaun Prince draped on him. Maddeningly, he won't pass the
ball, one of the reasons the Pacers were credited with only eight
assists in Game 2.
"I'll take the blame for this one," Artest said after Monday's
loss. "I've just got to get back on the same page. I'm not on the
same page as this team and coach.
"I forced a lot," Artest added. "I forced a whole bunch tonight just
'cause I'm out of rhythm. Where I'm used to getting the ball, I'm not
really getting it right now and I'm not passing the ball much."
Artest claims Prince is getting a break from the officials. "It's not
their defense," said Artest. "Anytime I wanted to, I got into the lane.
I got nicked a couple times on the arm and didn't finish. They're
giving Tayshaun a little bit of leeway because he's a little bit thin.
They're working with him a little bit."
Artest's and Jermaine O'Neal's skimpy playoff experience is precisely
why the Pistons were the smart choice to come out of the East after
they got Rasheed Wallace. O'Neal was scoreless in the second half.
The Pacers, who owned a league-best 27-14 road record, play the next
two at The Palace of Auburn Hills. "We're the best road team in the
league and we don't feel that concerned about going in there and not
feeling we can get a win," O'Neal said. "We know we can win on the
road."
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