milky_way
01-04-2003, 02:00 AM
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/recaps/2003/01/03/344_recap.html
NEW YORK (Ticker) -- It wasn't a pretty picture for Ron Artest and the Indiana Pacers.
Artest destroyed a television monitor and a $100,000 camera after the Pacers blew a 17-point second-half lead in a 98-96 loss to the New York Knicks, who have won a season-high three straight games.
A native of Queensbridge, New York and an alumnus of St. John's, Artest had a difficult game. He was hampered by foul trouble and made just 2-of-11 shots, scoring nine points.
One of the best defenders in the NBA, Artest also had trouble guarding Latrell Sprewell, who broke out of a slump to score 13 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter and lead New York's comeback.
When a rushed 3-pointer by Pacers center Brad Miller missed the mark, Artest stormed off the court.
According to a Knicks employee in the corridor at the end of the game, Artest picked up a small TV monitor and threw it toward the opposite wall. He then lifted a high-definition video camera off MSG Network cameraman Michael Miner's shoulder and slammed it to the floor, breaking it into six pieces.
"He lifted it over his head and smashed it to the ground," said Miner, who explained that the camera has a special lens that costs $60,000. "I was a little rattled by the whole thing, but I'm OK."
Artest wasn't. Seconds after Pacers coach Isiah Thomas emerged from the locker room to meet the media, Artest pushed his way past the crowd and left the building without talking to reporters.
Before the game, Artest said he did not give out any tickets to family and friends because he was more concerned with winning. Perhaps he is fortunate that no one close to him was on hand to witness his behavior, which is certain to draw a hefty fine from the league.
"We've got a lot of guys who came home to play and they wanted to play well and do well," said Thomas, who also has New York-area products Jamaal Tinsley and Al Harrington on his roster. "It didn't happen for them."
"It was a bad loss for us, knowing we were up like that," said Tinsley, who had 10 points and eight assists but committed seven turnovers, including a crucial one in the final minute.
In the fourth quarter, the Pacers made just 4-of-18 shots and 7-of-12 free throws while committing six turnovers. They had a four-game winning streak snapped.
NEW YORK (Ticker) -- It wasn't a pretty picture for Ron Artest and the Indiana Pacers.
Artest destroyed a television monitor and a $100,000 camera after the Pacers blew a 17-point second-half lead in a 98-96 loss to the New York Knicks, who have won a season-high three straight games.
A native of Queensbridge, New York and an alumnus of St. John's, Artest had a difficult game. He was hampered by foul trouble and made just 2-of-11 shots, scoring nine points.
One of the best defenders in the NBA, Artest also had trouble guarding Latrell Sprewell, who broke out of a slump to score 13 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter and lead New York's comeback.
When a rushed 3-pointer by Pacers center Brad Miller missed the mark, Artest stormed off the court.
According to a Knicks employee in the corridor at the end of the game, Artest picked up a small TV monitor and threw it toward the opposite wall. He then lifted a high-definition video camera off MSG Network cameraman Michael Miner's shoulder and slammed it to the floor, breaking it into six pieces.
"He lifted it over his head and smashed it to the ground," said Miner, who explained that the camera has a special lens that costs $60,000. "I was a little rattled by the whole thing, but I'm OK."
Artest wasn't. Seconds after Pacers coach Isiah Thomas emerged from the locker room to meet the media, Artest pushed his way past the crowd and left the building without talking to reporters.
Before the game, Artest said he did not give out any tickets to family and friends because he was more concerned with winning. Perhaps he is fortunate that no one close to him was on hand to witness his behavior, which is certain to draw a hefty fine from the league.
"We've got a lot of guys who came home to play and they wanted to play well and do well," said Thomas, who also has New York-area products Jamaal Tinsley and Al Harrington on his roster. "It didn't happen for them."
"It was a bad loss for us, knowing we were up like that," said Tinsley, who had 10 points and eight assists but committed seven turnovers, including a crucial one in the final minute.
In the fourth quarter, the Pacers made just 4-of-18 shots and 7-of-12 free throws while committing six turnovers. They had a four-game winning streak snapped.