Artest says he asked team to take time off
Benched All-Star wanted to rest and to take care of some off-the-court business.
Indiana Pacers forward Ron Artest thought he could take time off from his day job anytime he needed.
He was wrong.
Before Tuesday night's game at Minnesota, Artest was benched for two games for what Pacers coach Rick Carlisle called conduct that "compromised the integrity of the team."
Artest said he spoke to Carlisle about taking time off to rest his body and handle some off-the-court business, possibly related to his fledgling record label.
Both men made it clear that Artest was not suspended, meaning he did not lose any salary.
"I did speak to him," Artest said Wednesday night before the Pacers' 102-68 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers at Conseco Fieldhouse. "I said it the wrong way. There wasn't that much harm done. He just decided to sit me for two games."
Carlisle wasn't as willing to elaborate about the details of Artest's latest dust-up. Some Pacers officials even disputed Artest's version of the incident that led to his benching, though they declined to offer details. Pacers president Larry Bird would only say that it was a team issue that would be handled by Carlisle.
"I think I've made a statement about it," Carlisle said. "It's pretty clear and concise and as much as I'm going to comment about it. This isn't the Cuban missile crisis. It's not life or death. It's not about national security. It's just simply about a group of guys needing to remind ourselves, all of us, about the sanctity of team and what it's about. And I'm going to leave it at that."
Last season Artest missed two games due to suspensions from the NBA. It was an improvement from the previous season, when he was suspended five times by the NBA and once by the Pacers for a total of 12 games.
Artest defended himself Wednesday night during a strange 4-minute, 21-second media gathering in front of his locker.
He spoke of injuries to his shoulder, knee and feet that have bothered him since training camp.
He also said he has overextended himself in recent weeks trying to handle on- and off-court business, including time spent finishing and promoting his rap CD, which will be released Nov. 23.
