Reports: Artest responds to Yao's concerns
by FOXSports.com
"Hopefully, he's not fighting anymore and going after a guy in the stands," Yao said, according to the Houston Chronicle. Artest was suspended 73 games for his role in a 2004 brawl with Detroit Pistons fans.
Told of those comments, Artest said Yao had bought into "all the propaganda" about him, according to the Sacramento Bee.
"I understand what Yao said, but I'm still ghetto," Artest said, according to the report. "That's not going to change. I'm never going to change my culture. Yao has played with a lot of black players, but I don't think he's ever played with a black player that really represents his culture as much as I represent my culture. Once Yao Ming gets to know me, he'll understand what I'm about.
"If you go back to the brawl, that's a culture issue right there. Somebody was disrespecting me, so he's got to understand where I'm coming from. People that know me know that Ron Artest never changed."
The Rockets and Sacramento Kings agreed Tuesday to a trade that would send Artest to Houston for Bobby Jackson, Donte Greene and a first-round pick. The deal can't become official until Aug. 14, a month from when Greene signed his rookie contract.
Yao said he exchanged text messages with Rockets teammate Luis Scola after hearing about the deal, according to the Houston paper.
"For some reason, I like (Artest)," Yao said, according to the report. "Because in the games we play against him, I hate him.
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| Will Ron Artest and Yao Ming have any problem playing together? (Bill Baptist/NBAE / Getty Images) |
"When I text messaged with Luis, we talked about team chemistry. That's only what worries us. We worry about the new attitude to the team. We are adding talent to the team and we need that, but building team chemistry is important. This is not bad. I don't mean he is not welcome to Houston. But a new player always needs some time.
"Also, he was the biggest part of a team in Sacramento. He was a star player. We need more chemistry and more communication."
Artest seemed to take exception to those comments, according to the Bee.
"I guess once Yao Ming approves [the deal], I'll be a Houston Rocket," Artest said, according to the report. "(Yao) probably should've called me first. But at the same time, it's Yao Ming's team.
"Whatever Yao Ming wants me to do, I'll be there. Whatever Tracy McGrady tells me to do, that's how it's going to go down. Ultimately, whatever (Rockets) coach Rick Adelman tells me to do is exactly what I'm going to do."
Artest, who has one year remaining on his contract, said he was looking for a long-term deal from the Rockets, according to the report.
"We've still got to make sure there's still a commitment (from the Rockets)," Artest said, according to the Bee. "That's the main thing, is to make sure there's still a commitment. When I speak to the powers-that-be of the Houston Rockets' organization, we're going to find out how much they really want me there. We'll find out. I'm still waiting to find out if this is just a trade or if this is like a long-term commitment-type thing. I haven't spoken to anybody yet. I'm still waiting."
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