Lakers' Ron Artest to star in reality TV show
With Ron Artest's numerous public appearances and his activity on Twitter, it really was only a matter of time before his next venture would include a reality TV show.
And we now have a definite title. Writes the Hollywood Reporter:
"The bad boy NBA player is to develop and produce the "They Call Me Crazy" show with E1 Entertainment and Tijuana Entertainment. The series will document the ups and downs of Artest's life, allowing him to "make amends for past transgressions," according to E1 Entertainment...."
"I'm really excited to have the opportunity to invite people into my world to see the real me, and show them there are many more sides to the Ron Artest they see on the basketball court," Artest said in a statement in the article. "This show will allow me to share my experiences with others, and hopefully people can learn from the mistakes I've made."
Of course, Artest is mostly referring to the infamous "Malice at the Palace" in 2004, but some Lakers fans may wonder if the reality show is a mistake in itself, what with Artest still trying to get acclimated offensively with the team. No word yet on when filming starts, but I think it's safe to say that most fans would prefer for this to happen after the season.
-- Mark Medina
Follow the L.A. Times Lakers blog on Twitter. E-mail the Lakers blog at mgmedin@gmail.com
Photo: Lakers forward Ron Artest, center, puts up a shot as Atlanta forwards Marvin Williams, left, and Zaza Pachulia defend during Wednesday's game. Credit: Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images
How is this a good idea?
Thriller gets distracted when someone drops their keys on the ground. How is having cameras on him 24/7 going to help us win a Championship?
Ron, couldn't you have agreed to this AFTER you had won your ring?
Ron, let me help you out. If you want to reform your image, win a Championship, okay? Do that, alright?
What do we play for? RINGS!!!!
Lakers Today... Lakers Tomorrow... Lakers Forever.
GO LAKERS!!!
Posted by: Jon K. | April 02, 2010 at 09:10 AM
HOBBITMAGE… Thanks for your response. There is no real reason for me to respond since both of us and everybody on the blog knows what we each think and that neither of us is going to change the other’s opinion. Let’s just agree to disagree and see what the playoffs bring this year. It will show us who is right or wrong.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
WILDONE… “We really do miss Bynum. Even when, in last years playoffs, he was limited because of fouls, there was some value there. Don't think those fouls aren't valuable when they can be used on lousy freethrowers like Shaq and Dwight Howard. And his game was becoming better this year than last, the pairing with Pau starting to click. But we stink against the pick and roll. Pau, as good as most of his game is, suffers when having to play the center position. Small, quick guards a thorn in our side. We got issues, but what team doesn't?
A healthy Luke would be nice, but after such a layoff who knows where his game will be? Kinda late to be thinking a lineup shakeup, but I've read some intriguing ideas on the blogs...”
~
Outstanding post, wildone. I always check the blogger’s name before I read and when I saw a new voice with the handle “wildone,” I was expecting another overreacting negative post. What a pleasant surprise to find the complete opposite. Nice job. Looking to hear more from you as we head into the playoffs.
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GUNNER… “I denounce communism and socialism, (Obama) is leading the country towards dark paths. Long live the tea party movement 'Representation with-out taxation'. “ Appreciate your response, Gunner. While I was mostly just bored waiting for the real games to begin, my post was also a political science experiment of sorts, hoping I might find evidence for my theory that haters on the blog are also haters in the political arena. Thank you for confirming my theory. I was expecting DFish and Eric Wright to respond but you will do.
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EJK… Glad we are in agreement and yes, the same standards applied during the last eight years. Even though I went to Berkeley in the ‘60’s and consider myself a liberal these days, I have as much patience and respect for the “tree huggers” of the world as I do the “Tea Partiers.” Time for the fans and citizens who really care to work together to provide the karma and support to help our team win the NBA championship and the country restore our standing among the nations of the world. Progress requires cooperation and compromise from both sides.
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TEAMN… “Tough reading the blog these days. I'd hate to see what would have happened to the Showtime teams if the internet had been around -- Kareem would have been traded (too soft), Magic would have been vilified (too slow for small PGs), and the rest of the team would have been attacked relentlessly (Byron too inconsistent, Worthy not aggressive enough, Green/Rambis/Thompson not talented enough). Thank the basketball gods those guys did not have to hear all of the stuff that goes on now.”
~
“Championships are incredibly rare, special things -- that's what makes this franchise so remarkable! I believe the Lakers can repeat, but it will take a lot of work and a lot of luck, especially with injuries. This team has a ton of talent, but not enough to put them head and shoulders above everyone else. So let's keep the faith and believe -- I think this team, and this franchise, have earned it.”
-
Right on, teamn. Words that deserved to be repeated. I see this championship to be like Field of Dreams. If we believe in it, it will happen. No team has fans like the Lakers and our karma can really make the difference.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TOM
Posted by: LakerTom | April 02, 2010 at 09:23 AM
Good morning,
No more excuses. No more words. If I'd been enticed into a drinking game based on every time the word "urgency" was used in the past 48 hours, I wouldn't just be hung over, I'd be hospitalized for alcohol poisoning.
Oh! And include "execution" and "chemistry" on that list.
The chaos of thoughts and opinions posted on this blog is strangely consistent with the performance of our team in the past two weeks. Fortunately, tonight represents the opportunity for the first game of the Lakers' "Redemption Tour" through the remainder of the regular season and into the playoffs. If you don't think such a "Redemption Tour" en route to a Championship is still possible, you might question your identity as a Lakers fan.
Yes, Mamba24, the numbness has worn off and I'm ready to drive the LAKERS REDEMPTION TOUR TO A CHAMPIONSHIP band wagon.
The team that dazzled the NBA in the first half of the season is still there. It's been hiding in a lock box that's been largely self-imposed. Let the treasure hunt for the key begin tonight. Go Lakers!
Posted by: Rick Friedman | April 02, 2010 at 09:31 AM
Rick - I plead guilty to using some of those phrases so hopefully I didn't send you on a drinking binge.
MM
Posted by: Mark Medina | April 02, 2010 at 09:43 AM
The chaos of thoughts and opinions posted on this blog is strangely consistent with the performance of our team in the past two weeks.
Posted by: Rick Friedman | April 02, 2010 at 09:31 AM
Good observation Rick. Actually, that makes perfect sense, to me anyway.
Love your idea for the LAKERS REDEMPTION TOUR TO A CHAMPIONSHIP band wagon, I'm on board.
But let's make it a bulldozer!!
Posted by: Art - FL Laker Fan | April 02, 2010 at 09:57 AM
Mamba24,
Put me on the Stand Up for the Lakers Bandwagon & and the Take a Chill Pill & Call Me When the Playoffs start. Also for future reference, please put me on any bandwagon that has an open bar.
Justa, are you out there?
How did the surgery go. I looked for a post from you but it's tough to wade through all the post-apocalyptic-woe-is-me-sky-is-falling-chicken-little comments.
Posted by: Mark G | April 02, 2010 at 09:59 AM
teamn,
you wrote: Personally, I believe Phil's approach to Pau this year has been part of the problem. I simply don't think that public criticism works with Pau and only makes the situation worse. It fuels discontent and provides other teams a way to poke at the Lakers and at Pau. I guess I'm just of the belief that those kind of things need to stay in the locker room.
Phil does things his way, and he often appears to need at least one player to consistently attack each year, but I remember thinking that he aired too much of the Shaq/Kobe feud in public and that really hurt the team.
Hopefully none of this matters by the end of June and we are all watching another Laker parade!
my response: I don't think I disagree with you on what should be kept in the
locker room. However, maybe every single multi-millionaire on the team
should have thought more about how to repeat?
Consider this: We have had Pau on CSI &
both Artest & Shannon on a video. LO married a reality TV star. Maybe
instead of being Hollywood stars they should have focused on their game?
I'd also like to point out that both Pau & D-Fish threw Kobe under the bus.
Since when does a non-allstar get to throw a former MVP under the bus?
When does the sissy who wouldn't play with a pulled hamstring get to bad
mouth the MVP candidate who's playing with a broken finger on his
shooting hand? And Phil isn't calling MJ asking him to tutor Kobe. He called
Oakley to tutor Pau.
While I'm not super happy with PJ this year, I find the actions of D-Fish &
Pau to be .... incorrect. Get your own house in order before you start bad
mouthing you team captain.
LakerTom,
you wrote: Let’s just agree to disagree and see what the playoffs bring this year. It will show us who is right or wrong.
my response: Ok. However, just for clarity's sake. Are you saying that if
the Lakers don't repeat and Bynum continues to be a foul magnet, you'll
recant about Bynum being a beast? I am certainly willing to say that the
Lakers need him & he's key if he averages 20-10 & we win the championship.
See, for a few months I've said certain things and I was labeled disingenuous
& a Bynum Basher & called ... tweedle dum I believe. However, here we are.
The end of the season & there are still a myriad of problems with the team.
It would be nice to read: Hobbitmage, in light of PJ calling Pau soft, I was
wrong to call you disingenuous for copying pfunk36's post which addressed
the softness of Pau. Your point about Gasol was valid even though PJ didn't
use the name "Gasoft".
In the same vein, it would be nice to read: Hobbitmage, in light of Bynum
saying that he needed to focus more on defense, I was wrong to whine about
how spoon feeding Bynum would help his defense. You were right. It is a
character/education issue.
Yes, I expect hell to freeze first before you write these things. I'm just sayin'.
Go Kobe!
Go Lakers!!!
Posted by: hobbitmage | April 02, 2010 at 10:00 AM
Win 3 games, clinch, rest!
Posted by: DJ | April 02, 2010 at 10:01 AM
I want on the Lakers Redemption Tour. Remember 2001?
Posted by: Mark G | April 02, 2010 at 10:04 AM
Rick Friedman,
"No More Words"
Right you are, brother.
This one's for you:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-LyKT8BQyI
What do we play for? RINGS!!!
Lakers Today... Lakers Tomorrow... Lakers Forever.
GO LAKERS!!!!
Posted by: Jon K. | April 02, 2010 at 10:07 AM
Rick Friedman,
"The chaos of thoughts and opinions posted on this blog is strangely consistent with the performance of our team in the past two weeks."
Check out quantum theory, my friend. All phenomenon is inter-connected; ergo the value of scourging of trolls in assisting our team on their quest for a Championship.
Zero tolerance policy when it comes to trolls and Fakeraholics.
What do we play for? RINGS!!!
Lakers Today... Lakers Tomorrow... Lakers Forever.
GO LAKERS!!!!
Posted by: Jon K. | April 02, 2010 at 10:09 AM
Jon K,
Thanks, brother. I love that song, too. Saw Terri Nunn not too long ago. She still rocks.
Posted by: Rick Friedman | April 02, 2010 at 10:23 AM
hobbit
did u had a chance to read TJ Simmers's article on Gasy? i know it's simmers but the important part is Gasy's lines and how delusional the guy is. just full of himself.
also K Ding had an article about Kobe's attitude after the road trip and Gasol's losing mentality
reading these 2 and having more insight, especially coming from the camel's mouth (gasol) i'm really disgusted with him. some players i like and some i don't. but that is regarding BB skills and the play. i can care less of their private life and off court attitude. but Gasy's was bad. and i guess if we look back, the Lakers's chemistry and record problems started after Memphis and his unforgettable speech.
PAU GASOL IS THE CANCER ON THIS TEAM. and partially has the support of the intangible veteran co-captain De Brick.
Posted by: ouchhhhhhhhh | April 02, 2010 at 10:27 AM
will watch the game tonight at work while I'm sharing bartending duties with a very vocal and obnoxious LeBroniac. ALL this guy does is talk smack. He calls Kobe a criminal. He calls the Cavs the best team in NBA history. It goes on and on and on and on and on... Immature, stupid new money.
I sure hope we win tonight. That would really be great.
What do we play for? RINGS!!!
Lakers Today... Lakers Tomorrow... Lakers Forever.
GO LAKERS!!!!
Posted by: Jon K.
The guy probably says the exact same thing about you.
Posted by: DFish | April 02, 2010 at 10:31 AM
Let the LAKERS REDEMPTION TOUR TO A CHAMPIONSHIP bandwagon begin!!!
LAKERS ALL THE WAY BABY!!!!
2010 NBA CHAMPIONS!!!!
Posted by: Troy B | April 02, 2010 at 10:36 AM
Aloha Laker Tom,
I completely agree with you on Andrew. The value of Andrew on the floor may or may not be found in the box score. As a couple of old B-ballers I think we understand match ups a little better then some of the other guys. Andrew changes match ups. He has to be guarded by the opposing center. Pau has his troubles against centers. He dominates most power forwards. And the opposing center must stay at home with Andrew, limiting his help abilities. So at the very least, Pau is allowed to play the kind of game he plays best. A good example is his games against the magic this year. Looking at the box score, it's not impressive but it forced Howard to guard him and that helped Pau. And he contributed to getting Howard into foul trouble himself, which was huge. Of course this ultimately helps Kobe as well because now you have to send a guard to help the power forward with Pau. I still maintain if we had Andrew against the Celtic's we would have won the championship, even if Andrew had only average 6-8 points and boards because it would have made KG guard Pau and Pau plays well against him and it would have limited KG's help D which is his greatest strength. It really is all about the match ups.
MH
Posted by: michael h | April 02, 2010 at 10:42 AM
Firstly, it's far beyond Malice in the Palace with Ron Ron. Breaking a picture of himself at the arena when playing for the Pacers, applying to work for Circuit City while a player, wanting to take time off for a rap album, not having his fellow players' backs when they had his after Malice in the Palace, screwing around with that trade to the Kings, letting his dogs get horribly malnourished, sending an e-mail to his teammates saying he wanted to quit while working for the Kings, complaining about his coach while playing the Kings after Adelman, getting suspended for a domestic assault with his wife and getting into criminal trouble because of it, taking the 3rd bus to the Rockets' playoff game in his boxers are all real baggage. They all form a picture of who he has been, an out of control player, inconsistent emotionally with anger management issues. To focus on one single big incident does not do his character justice. It's lame, incomplete and unfair. Any fan worth their beans has a more sophisticated picture even by just reading headlines once in a while.
I do think most of these issues are in Ron's past. That he's seeing a therapist is great. This little TV show thing will help Ron heal, but I am a little worried it could become a distraction.
That said, all this silly focus on the Lakers competing with the Cavs for the league's best record is finally gone (thankfully). The conventional wisdom that they can just coast is completely false, however. The Lakers should try to ensure they have a better record that Orlando as they beat the Cavs last year. It's not the time to slack, it's the time to win. We can start figuring things out and playing perfectly starting in the playoffs, first round, but if we don't get home court versus Orlando, all may be for naught.
Posted by: Benjamin | April 02, 2010 at 10:44 AM
DFish,
Is it tiring being an obssesed idiot?
I bet you'd cut off your little toe with bolt cutters just to be able to have to have the raw horsepower to write an intelligent post.
Sucks to be you.
What do we play for? RINGS!!!!
Lakers Today... Lakers Tomorrow... Lakers Forever.
GO LAKERS!!!
Posted by: Jon K. | April 02, 2010 at 10:49 AM
Benajamin,
"I do think most of these issues are in Ron's past. That he's seeing a therapist is great. This little TV show thing will help Ron heal, but I am a little worried it could become a distraction."
I agree with you and most of your post.
Despite the fact that I can be very coarse with people whom I consider to be "jerks" (because I feel that the tough love of responding to cruelty with cruelty is a necessary evil in this life), it is equally important to have faith in the potential for redemption in people and to give people a second chance.
I think that's what we've got with Thriller. Does he have self-destructive tendencies? Absolutely. Do most of us have self-destructive tendencies to some degree? Yes.
So far he's been a great teammate and good citizen for us and I'm glad he's a Laker. Is he possibly over-extending himself to the point of distraction again? (One of his self-destructive tendencies)
I don't know. But it is a concern of mine.
I've said it before and I'll say it now:
Our Championship this year is built on Ron Artest and Ron Artest contributing to the synergy of the Lakers.
Defense wins Championships.
What do we play for? RINGS!!!
Lakers Today... Lakers Tomorrow... Lakers Forever.
GO LAKERS!!!!!
Posted by: Jon K. | April 02, 2010 at 11:09 AM
This team doesn't have the heart, man. And that's why Bryant is gone and the repeat is a dream!
Posted by: Eric Wright | April 02, 2010 at 10:49 AM
---------
indeed. maybe ONE can make "the team better" but very hard to transplant ONES heart and guts. if they never had it they can't practice IT.
Posted by: ouchhhhhhhhh | April 02, 2010 at 11:40 AM
ouccchhhhh,
yes, I did read the TJ Simmers article.
Posted by: hobbitmage | April 02, 2010 at 02:33 PM