New York — Ron Artest, the notorious Pacers forward and former city and St. John's standout, is trying to grow up.
The man who lost control last November and went into the crowd to fight with a fan and received a 73-game suspension from the NBA said Wednesday that he was trying to be an older, wiser veteran when he returns from the suspension this season.
"I mean, last season, I was 24 going on 25. Now, I am 25 going on 26. You grow up, you make mistakes, and you learn from that," Artest said. "I am trying not to make the same mistakes."
Artest was at the Palm Restaurant Wednesday drumming up support for the All-Star Classic for Wheelchair Charities.
The game, which features Steve Francis, Rafer Alston, Speedy Claxton, Sam Cassell, Charlie Villanueva and Julius Hodge, will be played on Wednesday, Sept. 14 at St. John's University.
St. John's is now coached by former Kansas University assistant Norm Roberts.
After the criticism Artest received last season and the trial he faces next month, he knows that people will think he is trying to rehabilitate his image and little else.
He laughs.
"That night (of the fight) was definitely Ron Artest, but this night is Ron Artest, too," said the Queens product, who has played in the All-Star Classic since 2000 and also was involved in the high school All-Star game. "In different situations, I am different. I can't say one is me. They both are."
Artest said he's grateful the Pacers have stuck by him, but he knows he's out of second chances. Sitting out 73 games was a lesson, he said, as well as a source of motivation to keep himself in check.
¢ Bad workouts before the NBA Draft heaped doubt onto Chris Taft, and he fell to the second round.
But the Golden State Warriors took a shot on him with the 42nd pick, and so far the results have been encouraging.
Taft played well in the Warriors' summer league before suffering a back injury, and he immediately bonded with G.M. Chris Mullin - Taft often spends large chunks of time hanging out in Mullin's office.
Little wonder. Taft and Mullin went to the same high school, Xaverian, in Brooklyn. Taft now appears to be a contributor.
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