“By the way, The guy who wrote the letter emailed me. I cursed him out and he apologized. See , I don't kiss ass. Cont..”-ThugRaider37 (aka Ron Artest)
First, let me thank Ron Artest for responding to The Open Letter. Through the help of Truehoop.com and the LA Times' Lakers blog, word got out. (UPDATE: It was me who emailed the blog to Ron Artest.) The hope was to put forth a letter of explanation before Ron took The Open Letter out of context, and to provide a little background about myself and Laker fans like me.
Let me state that I will continue to root for Ron Artest throughout this season, no matter his level of dislike for me. Because he is on my favorite team, and that’s how fandom works. Hell, if I can accept Karl Malone, I can accept Ron Artest.
As I realize The Open Letter was taken as a criticism by some, this post is for clarification. It was written with the hope that Ron Artest can become a leader in the locker room, a valuable contributor on the floor, and an eventual champion. But it also touched upon Ron’s history (which is not exactly clean) and the track record of previous players who may not have lived up to their potential in the purple and gold. (See: Isaiah Rider).
It was meant to help Ron get in the right mindset for the upcoming season. It was not meant as a critique. And if some folks took it in that vein, for that I do apologize.
What follows is my e-mail chain with Artest.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Kyle Slavin to shinshinartest (Ron’s Email)Oct 3 (1 day ago)
Hey Ron-
First of all, welcome to the Lakers. I've been a Laker life-long fan, and I'm pretty stoked at having you join the purple and gold. I think you will fit in and do very well this season, man.
The reason I'm writing you is this: I recently posted "An Open Letter to The Real Ron Artest" that just got linked by ESPN's Truehoop blog. It's a compassionate plea to you, and it's getting some attention.
I'm gonna be straight with you - it is a little critical. I wasn't evil or ill-willed, just very assertive when I stress the importance of playing "right" this year...namely, being a leader and a model veteran, and playing into the system. It wasn't a warning in any way, but I definitely laid down the law.
You can read it for yourself at TSCblogs.com.
So, please read the whole thing. I hope you get the essence that I want you to succeed, and I will definitely be rooting for you (starting Wednesday at the Forum) but that you are entering into something bigger than yourself.
I have a lot of love for this franchise, and I just want you to understand the love - not only that, but the history behind that love - that exists nowhere else in the NBA.
Stay strong, play hard, and you can win this whole city over, brother. You are already going strong. Keep it up, man.
And I hope you're not too upset over the post.
Lakers forever.
-Kyle Slavin
Writer, Creator
TSCblogs.com
-------------------------------------------------------------
First Reply, within 20 minutes:
Shin Shin Coming Soon to me
Oct 3 (1 day ago)
No law when it comes to me.
I let you type critics write and I just keep it hood.
That will never change.
I am not kissing no ones ass because I'm in LA. Suck a cock.
-------------------------------------------------------------
My Response (admittedly, I tried to tone down my syntax into online-speak):
Kyle Slavin to Shin
Oct 3 (1 day ago)
No, no, Ron! I was saying that I really want you to do well, dude! WTF, don't tell me to suck a cock! I wanna ROOT FOR YOU. I want you to SUCCEED, and I want you to WIN US A CHAMPIONSHIP! All these things are good for you! I don't want you to kiss anyone's ass! You're a LAKER now. Act like one!
Jesus, did you read the article?
What the hell man!
-kyle
-------------------------------------------------------------
His response:
Shin Shin Coming Soon to me
Oct 3 (1 day ago)
Ok
Sorry bout that
-------------------------------------------------------------
At this point, I’d like you readers to take a peek at the top of this post. Ron Artest may have cussed me out, but I have not apologized. I stand by my original letter.
It’s a pity that Ron does not realize that I am not a “hater”. Does a “hater” ask him for his best production? Does a “hater” want him to do well? If he is an All-Star this year, both of us are happy. I reiterated many times that I would be rooting for him, urging him to be his best and to lead the Lakers to another Finals berth. And by “lead”, I mean with both his play and his veteran leadership. One would think that these are goals that Artest would have as well. I am disappointed in the way Artest has either chosen to ignore this point, or missed it completely.
I am not a “hater” Ron. I appreciate your skills and your talent, and I want them to shine in LA. What I do not envy is your lack of appreciation for us fans who look up to you, and wish to get the most out of you.
You should value those fans above the ones that blindly follow you, defending everything you do by rote. That is not a fan base. That is an entourage.
And I only do that for the Lakers.
***
What follows are Ron Artest’s tweets about The Open Letter, and a response to each. Again, my thanks to everyone who brought it up to him.
RT @TheAngelsAnna: LAKERS FAN READ THIS OPEN LETTER TO RON ARTEST - I'm gonna write an open letter to my haters in 5 mins.
(Still waiting on it, Ron. And I’m not a hater.)
By the way, The guy who wrote the letter emailed me. I cursed him out and he apologized. See , I don't kiss ass. Cont..
(Nope, on two counts. I never apologized. And you are currently kissing the asses of your twitter public by misleading them, aren’t you?)
Sometimes people write good things about me and I say suck ....!!! See, I don't care if someone likes or hate me. I love my fam and fans!
(You DON’T suck. That was never my point. And I’m glad that you don’t care. After all, I’m a blogger, and you make millions playing for my favorite team. I definitely would rather be in your shoes. I just wish you were more open to encouragement.)
RT @VioletKanian: how did @thugraider37 respond to the open letter the laker fan wrote him? Ask him
(Ron Artest cussed me out yesterday. It was kinda cool!)
***
In closing, the sole purpose for this whole exercise was the hope that Ron Artest would play well this season. I went to the blogosphere to voice the opinion that a strong character and veteran leadership would go a long way towards that goal, and that the days of tantrums and acting out would not be acceptable. I’m sure his coaches would say the same.
I do wish Ron Artest and his teammates the best of luck this season. And I really hope he makes it to the end of this post to read it. Maybe, just maybe, he will take it to heart.
Lakers forever.
UPDATEDFolks-
I have read your comments, and I can see that I have been less than saintly in my posting on this topic. Though I still believe that Mr. Artest's comments were brash and unwarranted, I see now that I have done my fair share in inviting them upon myself.
I would like to publicly and officially apologize to both Mr. Artest and my readers, not only for airing out my grievances in plain sight, but for bringing any ill feelings towards Mr. Artest. It is not my place to tell any one how to do their job, and I see that I did not treat Mr. Artest with the respect he deserves, not only as a pro, but as I would wish be treated.
I am sorry.
Just as Ron is not bigger than the Lakers, neither am I, and I know I carry much less influence than Ron. Call it excitement/fear/anticipation of the upcoming season, I don't know. But it was not fair, and I realize that. It went too far.
Keep your comments coming. I'm going to be contacting Henry Abbott over at Truehoop soon about putting up a disclaimer concerning my actions leading up to and including this blog post.
Just as players should be accountable, so should we.
Kyle Slavin
Posts
60 comments:
I think you need to get back to him in a couple of weeks and see what he says. I can't imagine he would think the same.
Prepare yourself, Lakers fans. The mental instability of Ron Artest WILL effect your team negatively at some point this season. It's just a matter of how bad it gets. Good luck.
Having read all of the exchanges between you and Ron Ron, I am left to wonder one thing: who has the bigger ego, you or Ron, and who deserves to have the bigger ego, you or Ron. The answer to both questions, of course, should be Ron. You say as much yourself when you retreat by insisting you are rooting for him.
Yet yours is clearly the bigger ego. You think it falls upon you to "lay down the law" with Ron. Dear Lord. Who are you again? A fan? Do you really think that Ron needs to hear any of this from you? You actually say at one point, "I’m sure his coaches would say the same." If you are so sure, then what exactly is the point of your blog entry other than to attract unnecessary negative attention and create the first distraction for Ron to deal with. As a fan, stick to supporting the players and not "laying down the law."
Finally, signing your name with the titles "writer" and "creator" only further illustrates your delusions of grandeur. And then we get to the egotastic climax:
TSCblogs.com was created in 2007 by Kyle Slavin, and has operated as one of the top feature-length NBA blogs. Focusing on league-wide issues in magazine-length columns, TSCblogs.com is the premier source for opinions, stats, rants, and insider views within the glorious world of the NBA.
(vomit sounds)
You are not a fan. You have a fetish. You also are hugely biased to make as many waves as possible, so that maybe your readership will increase. It seems like you need to remember that the Lakers are bigger than any one person.
Finally, how do you react when people claim to "law down the law" to you? I am betting the last time that happened was when you got in trouble with your parents. Stop treating Ron like a child.
Don't claim to speak for us Laker fans. You are worse than the media. You are a fan without true loyalty to your team or your players.
Anyone who drops the "true fan" line needs to stop there.
If you can't defend the actions of a player on your favorite team with anything but "a true fan would ignore this," then you're not a true fan, you're a moron.
Anon-
When folks "lay down the law" with me, I try to see where they are coming from. I accept your criticism. It was strong-handed of me to post this, and I expected some negative feedback. In truth, my biggest fear was rocking the boat a bit, just as I hoped Ron wouldn't. So there is a sad sense of irony as well.
I was just taken aback, as the Truehoop article stated, when Ron responded in that manner. And I do not think Ron "a child", I think of him as a grown man, who is willing to accept some strong words from a meek, little blogger like myself.
-Kyle
Kyle,
Would you normally contact someone who is an expert in his field and offer them advice? Do you call john Hopkins and offer advice to their top surgeons? Have you contacted the White House to offer the President advice on domestic and foriegn policy? In the hood we call what you did getting out of your lane out of your position. If you want to blog blog to your hearts content. But don't get upset when you get invited to suck the privates when you play yourself by contacting someone you've been critical of in a blog. Good luck on all future endeavors but remember when you veer outside of your lane anything can happen.
Sincerely,
Brooklyn Law
I guess it comes down to tone. I read this conversation, referred from Henry's site, and cringed all through your intro-letter. Especially at the "my brother" and "man" stuff. Do you guys know each other?
I have to tell you, to me as an impartial reader, it felt condescending. Your original open letter I found more interesting, less egotistic and more measured. I have a feeling that Henry's post about you made you feel pretty chuffed and then you really went for it. As a reader (and I assume my impressions aren't shared by all), I felt like you were lecturing someone and I agree pretty strongly with Anonymous up there-- that's not your place.
The fact that you even say "laid down the law" in your preface to him-- if it was me, I never would have read your letter. And in a more reactive time, I might have told you to "suck a..."
You didn't stop to consider that maybe, just maybe...um...I don't know...PHIL JACKSON had laid down the law already?
In fact, for a (obviously passionate) fan, I think you might just be negatively affecting the Laker's title hopes right now by getting into this with a naturally emotional athlete at the start of training camp.
It was an open letter. You ought to have left it at that. The fact that you then wrote him something directly makes it just a letter. And totally unessasary. Unfortunately, Artest has opened himself up to that by the ease with which he makes himself accessible. I don't blame you on that count.
Your second e-mail does sound a little like an apology, even though you don't specifically apologize. The point is: you should. You shouldn't have mailed him directly to "lay down the law"-- it is (in my opinion)so far from your role to do that::: virtually any rational person would be upset. Especially when the letter could easily be misconstrued as talking down. Artest happens to know a few things about basketball. He knows what it means to be a Laker.
If things do blow up this year, I'm adding this e-mail exchange to my "contributing factors" list.
That last part was a joke...Hopefully.
---
Best,
Steve
HAHAHA. First you get publicly embarrassed by Ron Artest, then you get owned in the comment section of your own shitty blog. Your groveling response to Ron was pathetic, your writing is horrible, your holier-than-though attitude is annoying, and you look like a douchebag.
"As of now, Staples is an antic-free zone. No huffing, no tantrums. Don't even roll your eyes"
Are you kidding me? Have you ever even watched a Lakers game? Kobe and Gasol cry about calls as frequently as Ron Artest makes you suck his cock. Stop posting this stupid shit. Write it your purple and gold diary and never let it see the light of day. No one cares about your poorly articulated, poorly informed bullshit opinions.
- Georgie
Steve-
I thank you for voicing your concerns in a controlled and level manner. Truth is, I agree. I was trying to be friendly with Ron in my first email, and it came across "chummy", which wasn't my intention. But I do think he stepped a bit too far telling me which appendage to eat.
The main problem I had was the "I told him" aspect of his tweets afterwards. I went to him as a "just to let you know, this is out there, talk to me if you have a problem with it" gesture. I know it's not my place to personally tell him this, but what is the internet for if not voicing concerns?
I mean, did you really "leave brittney alone"?
And as for "lay down the law"...improper phrase on my part, if taken at face value. It was an allegory, I wasn't being literal.
All that being said, I'd be happy to apologize to Mr. Artest if I was misleading. But it's still no excuse for pointing me crotchwards.
Wow, I just noticed how crappy your graphic banner is.
Kurt-
Microsoft Paint FTW
This is more a critique of Henry Abbott than of you, but it's related. In his Truehoop reaction, he says "[Artest] could have won the day by saying something like: "I know you take your winning seriously. Trust me, so do I.""
Ugh. This is so ... Henry. There have been other times where he suggests how someone should respond to a situation, and it comes across as so condescending, so egotistical. It's like he has a fantasy of how a player should be, so when it happens, as it sometimes does, he writes about it glowingly ("Look how Brandon Roy ignored all the trash talk, and talked with his play! What a model player!). If they don't, he suggests what they should have said or done.
I wrote to Henry once to correct an error, and what I got back was a lecture on how to approach people. Give me a break.
Which brings me back to this letter: How did you expect Ron Artest to respond? Why would he need you to stress to him the importance of playing the right way? You feel like he should just look at the content, at the truth of the message, but he's looking at the messenger. You aren't his coach. You aren't his teammate. If he took in every fan's advice on how he should behave, he'd be more deranged than some people make him out to be. But no, you're a "good fan", and you only have the team's interest in mind, right?
What is this all really about? Your need for Ron Artest to KNOW what you expect from him?
The email exchange is embarrassing... and not to Ron Artest. Wish you'd just stuck with the open letter, buddy.
This shit was soooo condescending, the vibe I got the entire time reading it was like an adult trying to calm down an overenergetic child. People get pissed when their closest friends do that, let alone when someone on the internet does it with a tone as if Ron should care about your approval anyway
Folks-
I have read your comments, and I can see that I have been less than saintly in my posting on this topic. Though I still believe that Mr. Artest's comments were brash and unwarranted, I see now that I have done my fair share in inviting them upon myself.
I would like to publicly and officially apologize to both Mr. Artest and my readers, not only for airing out my grievances in plain sight, but for bringing any ill feelings towards Mr. Artest. It is not my place to tell any one how to do their job, and I see that I did not treat Mr. Artest with the respect he deserves, not only as a pro, but as I would wish be treated.
I am sorry.
Just as Ron is not bigger than the Lakers, neither am I, and I know I carry much less influence than Ron. Call it excitement/fear/anticipation of the upcoming season, I don't know. But it was not fair, and I realize that. It went too far.
Keep your comments coming. I'm going to be contacting Henry Abbott over at Truehoop soon about putting up a disclaimer concerning my actions leading up to and including this blog post.
Just as players should be accountable, so should we.
Cheers,
Kyle Slavin
TSCblogs.com
No, Kyle! No, you can't defuse us so easily! We want to argue!
Kyle,
I understand what you are trying to do, really. I love the Lakers at least as much as you...and judging by your age, I have been doing it longer.
But, why do you think it is up to you...a fan...to somehow lay down some law for Ron Artest (as if you can)? Do you not think that Phil and the rest of the team have already made this known to him, in a much more professional and productive manner?
I do not blame Artest for reacting as he did to you...and the fact that you have posted this chain only shows your desire to turn this into something that has you in the middle of it. He made it clear with his response that you emant nothing to him. That is not troubling at all...I think he reacted the way anyone would when having the "law laid down" to him by a person who has no place at all in this other than 'dude who writes a blog'. You do not mean anything else to him.
And why should you? As a Laker fan? Well, if that is the case, then perhaps you should have consulted a few other fans. You would find a few things: 1)Most of us share your concern about Artest to some degree (but we would with anyone new coming in who could upset chesitry) 2) Most are trusting Phil and Kobe to worry about Ron's role with the team 3) most of us would not go after him unless there was something there to go after. What you did was essentially create a controversy out of nothing, in an area where there would not have been one...you merely poked him with a stick and now are upset he bit back. You deserved it. Well...actually I wish Ron Ron would have just ignored you and relegated you to how important you really are to him...which is not at all. Now, because he felt he had to reply to your out of place 'open letter' (you really do think yourself far more important in this equation than you are, by a long shot), there is media drama unfolding around Artest. Not that he created, but that you created.
Get this straight right now...you are unable to lay any law down to Artest other than Kyle's law, and he has shown you what he thinks of that. As for the Lakers, that is in the imminently capable hands of Phil, Mitch and Dr. Buss...should any laws need laying down. Why you think this exchange did anything good for the Lakers is beyond me. We all know Artest has a fire in him...we want that fire unleashed on the rest of the NBA, not our own fans. Too late for that now.
And Ron, if you are reading along...this guy does not speak for all of us. It goes without saying we want the Lakers to win, and we want you to fit in with the team, as we would any new player to the squad. Kyle acts like this is part of being a fan, but he is wrong. Part of being a fan and accepting new players is to allow those new players a fresh start as a Laker. The way I see it...you are Ron Artest of the Lakers...and that guy has not done anything to deserve any of this.
Kyle,
No need to apologize for the original letter. You were fair and you should stand by it.
In life, advice is something people seek, and usually from someone they either respect or trust. Yes, sometimes advice is warranted without being asked for, but even then it is given by some expert in the field or someone who is generally in a position to give such advice.
The tone of your original letter was way too high-brow to be taken seriously. You sound pretty impressed that this story picked up wind, but in this day and age I wouldn't take that to heart. The majority of people will side with Artest on this.
How would you like it if I wrote an open letter to you about how ridiculous you sound? Who am I to do that?
Your first mistake is in assuming you have some sort of right to "lay down the law" with a professional basketball player. You have the right to your opinion, but that's where it stops. Assuming people care about your opinion, or that your opinion has some sort of value, is conceited in a way you don't seem to understand. Good luck.
I would have told you to suck a cock as well. What makes you the voice the laker fans? You think a blog makes you some sort of authority?
You say it wasn't a criticism but it was. Would you have written the same letter if it was Shane Battier exchanged for Ariza? You hide under the idea that you wanted to bring out the best from him, but c'mon you know that's BS.
You're someone who has no authority over him trying to tell him you do.
How about this. I am a super fan of blogs and I run a blog on the best blog writers. I want to see your best response. If you can defend yourself, you'll be considered a "real" writer and you'll get a column on ESPN. If you don't, I'm going to call you ISP and get your blog shut down.
I'm just trying to bring out your best writing!! How do YOU like that?!?!
you are an asshole
I am the "anon" from 9:39 A.M.
Kyle, I appreciate you coming around on the rather inappropriate way in which you talked down to Ron Artest. I accept your apology and applaud your humility in issuing it.
Please forward that apology to Ron, Truehoop, and the LA Times Lakers Blog.
What bothered me most is the irony you referred to, that in fact one of Ron's supposed fans was among the first to fuel the fires of distraction.
The "lay down the law" part was no doubt over the top, but causing distraction is just what you were worried about. Leave that to Phil, Kobe, and Fish. They got it, believe me.
You would do well to remember Rodman, who I think was just as crazy.
That said, I appreciate most, if not all of your sentiments, and would be truly happy if you put an end to this distraction by publicly forwarding your apology. Believe me, there are literally millions of Laker fans that are pissed off one of our own would cause this nonsense.
Did it ever occur to anyone that Ron just doesn't read shit that closely, or just doesn't get what he is reading?
WHY DID YOU SAY ANYTHING IN THE FIRST PLACE? WHO THE FUCK ARE YOU TO SAY ANYTHING TO ANY PLAYER IN THE NBA? SHUT THE FUCK UP AND LET THE BALLERS BALL, SHUT YOUR MOUTH AND WATCH FROM THE SIDELINES!
A true fan would never have made this private email exchange public. What good could it possibly do? All this does is hurt a team that you claim to be a fan of. It's obvious that self-promotion is far more important to you than the Lakers are. You are awful.
Micky
I think this will be a good life lesson for you! Hopefully, you have learned not to let your emotions get the best of you. I understand that you are excited about the season, bored with the offseason and concerned about Ron's ability to handle himself. Trust me, that is something that all Lakers fans are dealing with as well. I am personally super excited for the season, cannot wait for the pre-season to end and also hoping that Ron will be integrated into the team without any major on/off court complications. For your own sake and that of your blog I hope this misstep (and I hope you fully comprehend what a huge misstep you made) does not affect your passion to be a fan and a blogger. Yes, this little "incident" brought a lot of traffic to your site these days, but how many non-Laker fans will come to check it out in the future? And as a Laker fan, I can assure you that not many Laker fans will want to read and contribute to the blog of the guy who has either intentionally or accidentally compromised the team. I also hope that this will somehow chill down the explosion of blogs on the internet. It is indeed great that all fans can communicate, argue and discuss all things they love about their teams. HOWEVER, fans are meant to be the 6th player (the additional energy and support) for a team. The fact that any one of us can now write a piece about how we feel, and air it like a dirty laundry in public thanks to internet, does not mean that anything has really changed in the grand scheme of things. Coaches manage, players play and fans cheers. That is what fans do. No one, I repeat NO ONE, outside of the league, has any authority or legitimacy to tell NBA players/coaches/GMs/owners tell what to do. Yes we all have the right express our opinion and each one of us is entitled to our views. And Ron has the right to express his opinion as well. In this case, he did so very truthfully and realistically. Instead of saying what would be "politically correct" and being all artificial and stuff, Ron used his right of self express to express what he was actually thinking. And what he was thinking is a natural response to your letter. So, I hope that you have learned 3 things from this 1. I hope that people do not hate you and turn their back on your blog 2. I hope that you have understood your role, function and place in NBA world as a blogger 3. I hope that you have come to realize how you should treat and respect other people instead of just airing what you think about them And I hope you do not take this letter as an attempt from my side to "lay down the law" on you Please think this through
Mamula
This is so stupid it's awesome. I can't stop laughing at this guy. Thank you for making my day. To the non-moron Laker fans, don't worry. Ron Artest doesn't give a shit about this stupidity. This will not hurt our team. Get over yourself dude. Apologize and move on.
"Think Cedric Ceballos. Nick Van Exle. Smush Parker."
Think spellcheck. It's 'Van Exel,' Mr. Diehard Laker fan.
Get over yourself.
What's with 'brother' and 'man'?
It's so self-conscious. I'm surprised you didn't throw a 'dawg' in there too.
I admit the incorrect spelling of Van Exel bugged me in your open letter, but that was the only fault I found. I don't understand the backlash and all the hating directed towards you!
I, a true Laker fan, felt like the letter was a perfect expression of how we feel. The people who have taken it as a criticism of Ron Artest have completely misunderstood the post. It is a message of HOPE and TRUST that Ron Artest will do well for the Lakers.
Just trying to send some encouragement your way, and to say that don't worry... there are people that share the same sentiment.
I don't want you to be a shitty blogger. See I'm rooting for you. Don't you get it?
Your letter is full of backhanded insults and Ron-Ron was right to see through your thinly veiled negativity.
no matter if Ron fits well or not this season..this season will be all Roy's with the help of Aldridge, Oden and Fernandez. Portland will rise (last season we already won the last two against the lakers)..and the Blazermania will spread all over again!!
All in all, I could care less what Kyle said or wrote, there's a ton of us who agree. Ron makes millions that come from us Laker fans buying merchandise, tickets, and watching the games. If he doesn't like being criticized, he can come do my job for 50K a year and see we all get yelled at. Like it or not, leave Kyle alone because if you've followed Artest on Twitter you'd be at LEAST as worried as he is. I for one feel everyone has a right to voice their opinion, just as we all can vote... and my opinion is I haven't watched Kobe Bryant bust his ass for 10+ years to achieve greatness to watch this mental case come in and ruin it. WRITE ON KYLE!!!
The worst thing from all this is that now the media is going to spin this and say Ron Ron has an issue, etc. etc. Guess who decided to write an article about it? That's right: Henry Abbott, the eternal Laker hater. Thanks, Kyle, you just fueled even more fire to the media scrutiny on Artest who has been nothing but a great personality so far.
Good job BROTHER! Who are you Hulk Hogan now??? When everyone is telling you on your own blog that you screwed up it's time to apologize to Ron Artest. No way should you have contacted him personally. And hey Portland Fan, go back to your 1977 acid flashback with your one NBA championship. But then you probably weren't even born yet huh? You got a nice young squad, but you ain't getting back to the finals till the Kobester retires at the earliest. Now go away before I gotta bring up Magic throwin the ball down court in 91' when you had more talent but no heart. Or how bout the greatest choke job in sports history in game 7 2000. You hate us. We barely know you exist. We're Ron Artest, and you're Kyle Slavin. Suck a Cock...
You know I really suggest all you guys read Artest's Twitter quotes ... its really embarrassing and he sets an incredibly bad example for kids. Like it or not, he's a role model and frankly he's getting paid millions to be one. I laugh at the comments made above, you're all ridiculous... I know people at working McDonalds who get yelled at for bad behavior ... and you're defending a millionaire??? Boo hoo!
All you blogger types have too much time on your hands. Get a real job! Then you will realize the only fans that matter are the one's who pay for the tickets to see the game, and the ones that advertisers pay good money to reach. You can't LAY DOWN THE LAW or even buy enough tickets to pay a small fraction of Ron Artest's salary. Not to support Ron too much, but he has made ammends for his actions at the Palace of Auburn Hills, including charity events with the man who instigated the situation by throwing the cup. He has paid for that and more and had the good grace to make ammends. So suck it
Tip. Keep messages to Artest short.
Don't expect him to transform himself into Mr Introspection because he's now playing in LaLa land. Maybe you're trying to make a living off of your words, but Artest isn't. He's never been a role model and it's not yet a sure thing that he's going to be good for the Lakers.
man, quit hatin
I disagree with all the criticisms people have thrown at you about being out of line and not knowing your place. Artest has put himself out there with his constant fan-interactions on the web. Fans have every right to interact with him, both positively and negatively.
If Ron chooses to fire back, that's his choice. If your e-mail flusters him, that's his bad. You owe no duty to him.
I wouldn't have handled it the way you did, but that's beside the point. Good work getting some publicity for your blog.
Here's hoping Ron has the best season of his career. Cheers to another banner hanging in Staples!
hey kyle,
no, you need not apologize, just leave everything at that. it wasn't wrong for you to send an open letter, as you are allowed to voice out your own opinion, this is your blog by the way. although whatever reply from the recipient of your letter should completely end the issue, due to the fact that he is also entitled to say whatever he want to say. you know what artest's attitude is, i think it's pretty clear how much he uses his head at times. so you shouldn't have let his first reply affect you that deeply; after all, it came from the man who started the infamous palace brawl.
now i hope you all should let bygones be bygones and just focus on the upcoming season. i'm no laker fan but i think they will repeat as champions this year. so set all differences aside and keep rooting for your favorite team.
more power.
Hey Kyle, suck a cock. I hope some guy standing next to you in the stands throws a drink at Artest in his first game.
Kyle,
I enjoyed reading the open letter. It had some flair and it was obvious a lot of work was put into it.
Don't be discouraged.
I do have one bit of contention, though. The letter is supposed to be representative of Laker Fandom as a whole, but I found myself not agreeing with a few things (e.g., I was surprised you grouped Nickey Van with Ceballos and Smush. I think Exel is in a separate league compared to those players).
Also, I would like to see Artest get chummy with Paul Pierce. So, when Boston's in town, I say, suspend the antic-free zone (not that we have any control over his actions in the first place).
Good luck with your blog.
Signed,
A Really Big Andrew Bynum Fan
The road to hell is truly paved with good intentions.
Go Spurs!
Regardless of tone, right or wrong, etc., a professional in any field shouldn’t respond to a comment or criticism with suck a cock. Kyle answered a question for all of us: dude is nuts and will be less beneficial than Ariza.
Wow... that's quite the disclaimer at the end... who got to you? Did the Lakers call? Too bad man.
Just to keep everyone in the loop, the apology was put up by me, without urging or persuasion. I do think I overstepped my bounds, and I am hating the idea that the Lakers should suffer from all this distraction. To be blunt, I come off as a massive, well, you know what. I'm going to attempt to contact Ron Artest today to try and make amends.
Thank you for the continued interest, and I promise for a less-controversial post next week.
-Kyle
You write an open letter to Ron Artest basically threatening to ruin his career and legacy if he doesn't act and behave exactly as you think he should, then are put out when doesn't take it as high praise?
Kyle, whatever your intentions were (and you know where good intentions lead), you're way off base. Glad to see you appear to have come around to that conclusion as well.
Kyle Slavin, you sir are a douchebag.
It's about expectations, guys. When you read it blog, it will be that guy's opinions. Fine if you don't like them or agree. But why all the name calling and insults? If you don't want any new and fresh ideas, just stick with the sites that give you what you want; bland and biased, homer articles. Personally, I appreciated the honesty, heart, and integrity displayed in Kyle's open letter to Ron Artest. Carry on, Kyle. And thanks for your truthful insight into how it really is.
Kyle, I want to approach this in the way that I am Ron Artest, that the letter you wrote was written about me. If it was I would be pissed, but probably just ignore it because that is how I work, but if I did respond it would be to tell you off. You write this arrogant letter with a menacing tone, then ask Artest for his response and he gave it to you.
The thing is, do you do this to all incoming Lakers? Did you take Adam Morrison to task for his Che college dorm posters? Lamar for previous drug use? Shannon Brown for his sexual assault & nightclub-related lawsuits? Bynum for his off-court activities? Derek Fisher for his lack of loyalty when he left the Lakers? God knows you MUST have written to one Kobe Bryant demanding he not get into further legal troubles, I mean since you speak for all Laker fans, right?
I thought your tone was irritating and agitating. I didn't know you were the spokesman for all Laker fans too, wow. Frankly it seems you have a rather large ego and feel you can/should talk down to others, I mean you probably are perfect-man in every sense of the word, right? You also are the policeman for the Lakers? Nice, shows you really relish it.
Artest is the FIRST athlete to take the time to as much as respond in any way to something I've written them. I personally do feel he is a 'loose cannon' in a way, but I don't need to write something in a threatening tone to him. Just because he interacts much more with fans than most athletes, is much accessible doesn't mean we should insult him and talk down to him. If he screws up then go ahead and criticize him, but don't do it before he's even played a game...
Oh, next time you speak about 'Laker fans' please leave me, LakerMike aka HoopsFanMike, CyberCosmiX & SoCalHoopsFan out of it!
I really wish the Suns could have landed him. What a great player. I think he gets you to the finals again. That says a lot considering how tough San Antonio looks. Best of luck to the Lakers to repeat.
Todd
HAHA. Hope you're enjoying your 15 minutes!
for real, that's what you get for trying to talk from your high horse.
your shit is patronizing; like he's supposed to be honored that you're giving him your support? and you're strong-minded because you didn't apologize? let's see how you'd handle yourself if you were to meet him face to face? nothing but puppies and praise, i bet.
would you be talking with such demeanor if he wasn't famous? you forgot that he's hood and you're not from the same league as him. everything's relative, and your shit doesn't mean a thing to him.
you condescending, "reasonable," eloquent man...stick to your fucking tax bracket
I think it's funny how everyone is ignoring the fact that Artest's reply was rushed and incredibly chidlish. Suck cock? Seriously?? Haha, trashy!!
This whole thing reminds me of the ole saying, "fighting online is like the special olympics, whether or not you win you're still retarded." Way to post immature banter from both of you all over the internet!
Much Ado About Nothing...
Revisiting the Ron Artest situation:
http://www.tscblogs.com/2009/12/ron-artest-revisited.html
Thinking about getting a car insurance quote?
[url=http://safe-car.org]Car Insurance[/url]
A growing number of people are dropping their auto insurance to try to save money, according to a recent study by the Insurance Research Council (IRC). If the current rate of unemployment continues, the IRC estimates that the national uninsured rate will climb from 13.8 percent in 2007 to 16.3 percent in 2010. With that many people driving without coverage, it's dangerous to be uninsured. But how much car insurance do you really need?
If you're like many people feeling the pinch, your inclination is to get the bare minimum of insurance coverage required by the law in your state. That's a good place to start, though those minimums may not fully protect you -- or your assets -- if you file a claim. We recommend getting more than the minimum coverage unless you are driving a beater and have no assets to protect.
Visit [url=http://safe-car.org]Safe-car.org[/url]
All you need to know about
[url=http://safe-car.org]Car Insurance[/url]
Post a Comment