Many people don't know Artest, only regard him as a tough guy, a savage who likes to fight. They didn't know him better until he won the best defensive player in 2003-04. In fact, Artest during the Pacers' period was an all-around warrior with balanced attack and defense.
The 2003-04 season is Artest's fifth season in the league. Average 18.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 2. 1 steals, shooting 42. 1%. In the Eastern Conference finals, the Pacers lost to the Pistons 2-4, and the Pistons beat the Lakers 4- 1 to win the championship.
In the 2004-05 season, Artest was a season of rising ball. In the first seven games, he averaged 24.6 points, hit 49.6% and shot 4 1. 1%. Unfortunately, the Auburn Palace incident happened. Artest was suspended for 73 games, Jackson was suspended for 30 games, and Jermaine ONeal was suspended for 15 games. That season, the Pacers lost to the Pistons 2-4 in the second round without Artest. The Pistons lost to the Spurs 3-4 in the final.
Ron Artest+Jackson+Miller+O 'Neill Jr.+Tinsley+Foster+Dale Davis, the Pacers are balanced in offense and defense.
If the Auburn Palace incident hadn't happened, perhaps the Pacers who owned Artest really had a chance to beat the Pistons in 2004-05 and finally won the championship. what do you think?
It's a pity that Artest didn't play at the best time of the ball rise all season. In such a bad situation, when he played for the Kings in 2007-08, he averaged 20.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.3 steals, shooting 45.3% from the field and 38% from three-pointers, leading the Kings to the playoffs.
In the 2009 09- 10/0 season, Artest, who just joined the Lakers, helped the Lakers win the championship.