Artest misses morning shootaround after sleeping in
Dec. 29, 2003
SportsLine.com wire reports
INDIANAPOLIS -- Indiana Pacers forward Ron Artest missed the team's morning shootaround for Monday night's game against the Memphis Grizzlies because he overslept, two nights after being benched during a loss to New Jersey.
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Artest was benched for the second half of Saturday night's loss to New Jersey for what coach Rick Carlisle called "conduct detrimental to winning." He called the team Monday morning to tell them he would be late, Carlisle said.
Carlisle said he has scheduled a meeting with Artest for Monday afternoon to talk about the player's behavior and would start Al Harrington in his place against the Grizzlies.
The coach and player have disagreed about Carlisle's methodical offensive system, which calls for set plays on most trips down the floor. Their differences came to a head against the Nets, when Artest took three 3-pointers out of the flow of the offense in the first quarter.
Artest also gave a lackluster defensive effort and argued with Carlisle at halftime, prompting the coach to bench him for the entire second half.
When asked if missing the shootaround will affect his playing time against the Grizzlies, Carlisle replied, "I would have to say yes, but we'll find out. We have to talk to him to reach a resolution. Does that mean he's not going to play at all? Not necessarily."
Carlisle ripped Artest and the team after the loss to the Nets, saying Artest "compromised what the game is all about."
The coach said he tried to contact Artest on Sunday, calling him on the phone and even stopping by his house and knocking on his door, but Artest was not home.
The recent troubles have been the first for Artest this season after he was suspended for 12 games and fined $155,000 last year. His mature, well-rounded play has been one of the main reasons the Pacers (21-10) have spent the entire season in first place in the East.
But things started to sour after a blowout loss to Minnesota on Dec. 20, when Artest called Carlisle's offense "boring." His criticisms continued after losses to Milwaukee and the Nets.
Carlisle said after the loss to the Nets he had to make a stand and "different agendas tend to rear their ugly heads from time to time."
On Monday, he said the distraction is just part of what goes on during a long NBA season.
"You're going to have some tough times," Carlisle said. "I don't mind, because getting through tough times is what makes a good team a better team, so I don't mind these types of challenges. The wrong kinds of distractions generally aren't good, but they're going to have to be overcome with any team at some point. I'd just as soon deal with it now, rather than later."
Not coincidentally, the distraction comes at a time where the Pacers are struggling to get wins. After starting the season 14-2, they're 7-8 and have lost two in a row for the first time this year.
Dec. 29, 2003
SportsLine.com wire reports
INDIANAPOLIS -- Indiana Pacers forward Ron Artest missed the team's morning shootaround for Monday night's game against the Memphis Grizzlies because he overslept, two nights after being benched during a loss to New Jersey.
Advertisement
Artest was benched for the second half of Saturday night's loss to New Jersey for what coach Rick Carlisle called "conduct detrimental to winning." He called the team Monday morning to tell them he would be late, Carlisle said.
Carlisle said he has scheduled a meeting with Artest for Monday afternoon to talk about the player's behavior and would start Al Harrington in his place against the Grizzlies.
The coach and player have disagreed about Carlisle's methodical offensive system, which calls for set plays on most trips down the floor. Their differences came to a head against the Nets, when Artest took three 3-pointers out of the flow of the offense in the first quarter.
Artest also gave a lackluster defensive effort and argued with Carlisle at halftime, prompting the coach to bench him for the entire second half.
When asked if missing the shootaround will affect his playing time against the Grizzlies, Carlisle replied, "I would have to say yes, but we'll find out. We have to talk to him to reach a resolution. Does that mean he's not going to play at all? Not necessarily."
Carlisle ripped Artest and the team after the loss to the Nets, saying Artest "compromised what the game is all about."
The coach said he tried to contact Artest on Sunday, calling him on the phone and even stopping by his house and knocking on his door, but Artest was not home.
The recent troubles have been the first for Artest this season after he was suspended for 12 games and fined $155,000 last year. His mature, well-rounded play has been one of the main reasons the Pacers (21-10) have spent the entire season in first place in the East.
But things started to sour after a blowout loss to Minnesota on Dec. 20, when Artest called Carlisle's offense "boring." His criticisms continued after losses to Milwaukee and the Nets.
Carlisle said after the loss to the Nets he had to make a stand and "different agendas tend to rear their ugly heads from time to time."
On Monday, he said the distraction is just part of what goes on during a long NBA season.
"You're going to have some tough times," Carlisle said. "I don't mind, because getting through tough times is what makes a good team a better team, so I don't mind these types of challenges. The wrong kinds of distractions generally aren't good, but they're going to have to be overcome with any team at some point. I'd just as soon deal with it now, rather than later."
Not coincidentally, the distraction comes at a time where the Pacers are struggling to get wins. After starting the season 14-2, they're 7-8 and have lost two in a row for the first time this year.
