Ron Artest's birthday party raises money for charity, features a dancing David Arquette
Hundreds of Lakers fans along with a few celebrities showed up for Ron Artest’s birthday party Sunday night at the Conga Room at LA Live. R&B singer Faith Evans performed. Teammate Matt Barnes rolled through with his fiance. And fellow Laker Theo Ratliff showed up too.
There was also actor David Arquette -- garbed from head to toe in purple and gold, with diamond-encrusted sunglasses and matching grills on his top and bottom rows of teeth, and a sparkling Kobe Bryant jersey on under a purple robe embroidered with his last name and Kobe’s old number 8 on the back. Arquette wore the same attire to the game, which ended in a 121-116 loss to the Phoenix Suns.
But the setback didn't dampen the mood for those at the Conga Room, least of all Arquette, who greeted Artest in the VIP section but spent most of the night mingling with partygoers on the Conga Room balcony, speaking with fellow Lakers supporters and posing for photo after photo with people stunned that the actor was so uninhibited.
At one point, Arquette even took to the stage and danced, and kicked, to multiple songs, as shown in the video below.
Arquette, who has been separated from his wife, actress Courteney Cox, explained why he dressed up in his sparkling costume: “I went to the game in this outrageous garb because I had this in my closet for like, two years now. And I always thought, ‘Should I wear that? Nah.’ But it was Ron-Ron’s birthday. So I got ... ghettoed up.”
On Artest donating all the proceeds from his birthday party to the player's mental health charity group, Arquette said, “I love his spirit. That’s what I’m all about. I love what he’s representing tonight. You can’t take it with you. You can’t take it with you. That’s all that matters. You share the love. You share with people you care about, people less fortunate than you. He’s shown he’s committed, that’s why we’re compadres.”
Artest said he was pleased with the turnout and support from Arquette, his teammates and others who attended.
“Everybody came out to support. A lot of fans, a lot of friends,” Artest said. “We’re going to be able to help out people, so I’m really happy about the turnout.”
Artest also said his second birthday in Los Angeles, and his second as Laker, was rivaling last year’s birthday celebration.
“Last year’s birthday was pretty crazy,” he said. “This one’s pretty good. You know, um, it’s stackin’ right up.”
Artest even made a prediction for the Lakers’ regular-season record.
“80 and 2,” Artest said.
Artest’s birthday party was the first of three fundraising events hyping the raffling off of his 2009-10 season championship ring. All proceeds from the raffle and parties will be donated to his mental health organization, Xcel University.
The three parties –- all of which are taking place at the Conga Room -– have been dubbed "The Ring Series." The next party will be held Wednesday, Dec. 8, after the Lakers-Clippers game. The final event, in which Artest’s ring will be raffled off, will take place on Christmas Day after the Lakers take on the Miami Heat.
Numbers for how much money Artest’s birthday party raised were unavailable by Tuesday morning, but as of 9 p.m. on Sunday, about $415,999 had been raised with more than 16,600 raffle tickets sold.
-- Nathan Olivarez-Giles
Ahhhhh.... and we're back.......
LOL - what would a day on the blog be without infighting, name calling, child endangerment and gold jock straps?
You guys know there's a game tonight, right?
Posted by: justanothermambafan | November 16, 2010 at 12:02 PM
Hmmmm - speaking of gold jock straps....
Where's Larry???
MAMBA24 - I know you're out there!!! We need a roll call dang it!
Posted by: justanothermambafan | November 16, 2010 at 12:03 PM
Hmmmmmmm (again)....
Ghetto'd up, huh? More like a lame attempt at hoodification if you ask me. Too much vodka explains a lot....
Thriller says 80-2. I'm going with that. L'aissez les bons temps roulez!! (That's let the good times roll for all y'all non-francophones...)
80-2 BANDWAGON BABY!!!
Posted by: justanothermambafan | November 16, 2010 at 12:08 PM
How can I put this simply...I LOVE Ron Ron...
Lakers Dynasty - The Next Generation...
#17 Coming UP!!!
Oh...checking in for game day...
What happened to Roll Call and Game Day Prayer...
Posted by: LEWSTRS | November 16, 2010 at 12:16 PM
Day is ticking by so incredibly slowly. Is it game time yet?
-
What do we play for? RINGS!!!
-
Lakers Today... Lakers Tomorrow... Lakers Forever.
-
GO LAKERS!!!
Posted by: Jon K. | November 16, 2010 at 12:20 PM
good drugs, huh David?
Posted by: mud | November 16, 2010 at 12:22 PM
Damn looks like somebody was just seriously EXPOSED.
Oh no he didn't.. didn't think he had it in him but LAKERTRUTH just went to the archives and has presented some pretty incriminating evidence here to back his point like the matching bloody gloves found at the murder scene.. Don't get more smoking gun than that... Hmmm... I wonder if the defense has any closing arguments before we recess... Cause if I was the jury its guilty as charged.
ALL RISE!!
Posted by: yellofever | November 16, 2010 at 12:38 PM
Looks like lakertom is officially the don corleone of the blog... He no longer has to do the dirty work to protect the bynum family name... He's built up enough credibility and power to just stay behind the scenes and send his runts for that... Now he can just sit back and at the snap of his fingers send orders to whack everyone putting bynums name in vain.
(Just teasin Lakertom u know I respect you) :)
Posted by: yellofever | November 16, 2010 at 12:53 PM
c'mon yellofever let's put the fire extinguisher than adding more fuel to the raging debate. We have a game tonight and let's focus on a W. Do you think we will win on the road with the rabbit Lakers, I call them rabbit because they will be hopping with their sore footsies.
MM, is Blake playing tonight? BTW, it's 5pm game?
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | November 16, 2010 at 12:53 PM
Edwin
Noted... Your wish is my command! Now let's playball!
Damn 5pm game.. Thx for the reminder.. Gotta record the game!
Posted by: yellofever | November 16, 2010 at 12:55 PM
All these so called Laker Fans just puzzles me...
Instead of concentrating your efforts on trying to find what someone said...or 'I told you so"...concentrate on something positive about your team...
If that's what get's you off...that is fine...
But when AB comes back and proves you all WRONG!!!...
I expect an apology to AB and the Blog...
Goes both way...right!!!
Lakers Dynasty - The Next Generation...
#17 Coming Up!!!!
Posted by: LEWSTRS | November 16, 2010 at 12:56 PM
yellofever,
Yes, the defendant, Kobe888, is guilty as charged on all counts, and this is his third strike, but I am willing to offer a plea agreement to the defendant if he mans up, pleads guilty, and takes responsibility for his comments on record. If he continues to insult the intelligence of the court by denying his own statements on record, despite the overwhelming evidence against him, than I will be forced to sentence him to life in Boston with no parole.
Posted by: LAKER TRUTH | November 16, 2010 at 01:07 PM
@YELLOFEVER… “Looks like lakertom is officially the don corleone of the blog... He no longer has to do the dirty work to protect the bynum family name... He's built up enough credibility and power to just stay behind the scenes and send his runts for that... Now he can just sit back and at the snap of his fingers send orders to whack everyone putting bynums name in vain.” LMAO. Now THAT was funny, YF.
…
@LEWSTERS… “But when AB comes back and proves you all WRONG!!!...I expect an apology to AB and the Blog...Goes both way...right!!!” Lew, my apologies for forgetting to include you among the newbies who have brought the blog into a proper balance of GHF versus GHE. If MM had a rookie of the year award for new bloggers, there are so many great new balanced but persuasive posters that it would be hard to choose the most influential. Just like the Lakers offseason acquisitions have put the team over the top, so have all of the great new posters done the same for the blog. It’s a season for the ages.
………………………………..
TOM
Posted by: LakerTom | November 16, 2010 at 01:17 PM
@MM - You said Matt Barnes rolled in with his wife. I assume that was a typo...or did he get married recently?
@LakerTom/Cyber - I don't view Bosh stats from this season thus far as an indictment on his talent or skills. He's definitely a 20/10 guy but Miami hasn't figured out how to ultilize him. (Hello Coach Spoles). 10 games doesn't overshadow six years of productivity. I wasn't in the trade Bynum for Bosh camp...I'm just saying.
@MVP - I respect your knowledge and passion for the game. But in the case of Walton vs. Barnes, LakerTruth has provided a compelling evidence.
Posted by: LRob | November 16, 2010 at 01:19 PM
I will continue to give my Lakers 'unconditional' support...
And my attitude in this blog will always be...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_-k8A9aAlE
Lakers Dynasty - The Next Generation...
#17 Coming Up!!!
Posted by: LEWSTRS | November 16, 2010 at 01:21 PM
From Rotoworld:
"Theo Ratliff (knee surgery) is expected to be sidelined for 4-6 weeks.
By the time Ratliff gets back, Andrew Bynum (knee) should be in midseason form. That will leave Ratliff, 37, inactive on most nights."
- It's time to go after Dampier!
Posted by: LAKER TRUTH | November 16, 2010 at 01:23 PM
Wait if Tom is Don Corleone, who's Fredo?
Posted by: htj | November 16, 2010 at 01:24 PM
Does that mean MVP888 is Lucca Brazzi?
Posted by: htj | November 16, 2010 at 01:24 PM
Time to get back to winning tonight! Should be an interesting game coming off 2 losses. Get Andrew back and into the fray. He could change a lot of things positively. I am as they say, however, cautiously optomistic on AB.
Posted by: D(erek)J(eter) | November 16, 2010 at 01:25 PM
That would make LAKER TRUTH Solozzo? Cuz he just murdered Lucca
Posted by: freeandfair | November 16, 2010 at 01:30 PM
Cyber is Fredo! LRob would be Michael ... Mamba24 would be Clemenza and Edwin Gueco would be Salvatore
Posted by: freeandfair | November 16, 2010 at 01:31 PM
I kind of like the metaphor of LakerTom as Don Corleone.
and because we're only "printing the news that fits"
http://network.yardbarker.com/nba/article_external/rihanna_8220dating_andrew_bynum_is_an_insult_8221/3620313
snippet:
Rihanna was featured this morning on the Ed Lover morning show in New York (Power 105.1) promoting the release of her new album “Loud” she was asked what the funniest rumor she had ever heard about herself was.
Her response: “That I was dating the Lakers Andrew Bynum. I couldn’t believe they insulted me like that”
Posted by: hobbitmage | November 16, 2010 at 01:36 PM
Not too sure about apologizing about our opinions...hobbitmage and others who are not ardent Bynum supporters have every right to express how they fell here...it's a public forum after all. When done tactfully and with regard to other folks they have quite valid points.
hobbit brought up quite a good one regarding Bynum and his seeming lack of commitment, my only caveat being that he never mentioned Bynum gritting through a tore up knee in the playoffs as evidence of a larger level of commitment than is, perhaps, represented in hobbit's point. I think everyone here would be more stoked to hear Bynum was continuing his work with Kareem, even sporadically. We also all would have been more stoked to hear Bynum took a week or two off and had a surgery as oppossed to waiting a month, my caveat there being doctors told him it wouldn't be a problem. If you're not listening to your doctors then that would raise a larger flag, in my mind as that would seem to indicate Bynum feeling like he's an amature medical professional.
Not trying to say anyone is 'right' or 'wrong' here, that's a burden I would never want to shoulder, but that if we can't respect each other's opinions than we're failing as people. Hobbit may tend to come as overly strong...but that's only 'cause he's a bad ass who doesn't sugar coat things. At the end of the day, he's a Laker fan, just like you and me. Also, hobbit doesn't need anyone to defend him (as you may have noticed) but his wicked 'tude, furry feet and elevensies are a part of this community and have been for some time.
Anyhow...GAME DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GO LAKERS!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Jamie Sweet | November 16, 2010 at 01:38 PM
@Jon K - Whoops, sorry about the slow time thingy...I forgot to plug in the flux capacitor. My bad!
Posted by: Jamie Sweet | November 16, 2010 at 01:39 PM
I was reading the post, where KobeMVP888 was judged "guilty" &
suddenly I was jonesing for Heavy Metal.
something about being torn into itsy bitsy pieces and buried alive ....
That was an awesome movie!
Posted by: hobbitmage | November 16, 2010 at 01:39 PM
Laker Family,
Hey everyone! Just wanted to drop by and show some love to my Lakers and Laker family! I leave for a little while and all **** breaks loose, haha! It's a long season and all that matters is the end result! Rings baby! I see you Pot! Salute to Mamba24, MVP888, Hobbit, Blitz, LakerTom, LakerTruth, Lewstrs, LRob, yellowfever, Edwin and the rest of the purple and gold gang! Keep the peace! Lakers all the way!
Posted by: Nemaia Faletogo | November 16, 2010 at 01:40 PM
Mage - It's not like Ri Ri has the best taste in men.
Posted by: htj | November 16, 2010 at 01:40 PM
@LakerTom - "GHF versus GHE." What are these acronyms you are using? Curiousity piqued.
@hobbitmage - Heavy Metal was awesome and so was the South Park mini spoof, Major Boobage. Semi-surprised in this era of Hollywood re-makes that Heavy Metal, Legend and Fantastic Voyage haven't gotten the 'new' Hollywood treatment.
Posted by: Jamie Sweet | November 16, 2010 at 01:44 PM
LF,
Very well said.
Posted by: D(erek)J(eter) | November 16, 2010 at 01:44 PM
KETTLE!!!!
Hey nemaia - how are you???
Miss you around here....
Posted by: justanothermambafan | November 16, 2010 at 01:45 PM
You guys are forgetting one thing - hobbits are very tenacious by nature. He ain't lettin go of this.
They're also BAD, but that's a comment for another day....
GO LAKERS!!
Let the hunt for 6 begin - DFish
Nothing but another title will suffice - KBryant
WE GOT THIS - justa
Posted by: justanothermambafan | November 16, 2010 at 01:46 PM
Justa is obviously Connie.
Posted by: htj | November 16, 2010 at 01:47 PM
Cyber Cosmix, KobeMVP and laker truth,
Come on guys, we have to end all these hostilities. we are not proving anything with war of words and trying to outdo each other. Somewhere, somehow someone started the fiery discussions and now it's difficult to untangle it like a nut. I expected lakertom to be the elder statesman in the blog, yet his reaction is more condescending to one group vs. another. I have seen so many blog wars among laker fans and the end result is not refreshing. It only leads to scars like those gang turfs we watch on 11:00 pm news. We are not in that category, let's all be friends for the spirit of back2back Champs. Show a little maturity and consider other members of the blog.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | November 16, 2010 at 12:04 PM
====
Edwin, I would have preferred it if to responded to my post to you earlier this morning (the topic was Theo Ratliff and our thinning group of bigs) rather than try to play mediator between me and some short sighted Laker fan who makes a big stink out of nothing and we're barely 12% into this young practice season. I have no idea what he's even talking about half the time yet he goes out of his way to insult me and defame me. So please, if you want to address me on this issue, please don't lump me in with him. I get the "it takes two" concept, but I'm simply reacting to his telegraphed roundhouse right hands. He's the one who attacks, distorts, defames, disguises, exaggerates and lies and he actually gets others to go along with it. Pathetic. Maybe he should just change his name from LAKER TRUTH to FOX NEWS.
Posted by: KobeMVP888 | November 16, 2010 at 01:48 PM
@Zaira - get better.
@Mamba - Hurry home or I'll ask if I can have your plate also.
@hobbit - lol. me thinks Rihanna is very fond of herself. Good to hear Ed Lover still holding it down.
Posted by: LRob | November 16, 2010 at 01:50 PM
@Nemaia - Hey. It looks like your boy Caracter is going to get his chance to shine!
Posted by: LRob | November 16, 2010 at 01:51 PM
hobbits ARE tenacious, I forgot that one. That's why they're great on D.
Posted by: Jamie Sweet | November 16, 2010 at 01:54 PM
you called me a "bynum basher", an "unsophisticated fan", a "troll", "an ungrateful and spoiled fan", that had no right to criticize a player after winning two titles.
Posted by: LAKER TRUTH | November 16, 2010 at 11:45 AM
"troll" - high school level
"bynum basher" - college level
"an ungrateful and spoiled fan" - Masters level
"unsophisticated fan" - Ph.D
it is time for some post doctoral studies. may i recommend: POSER or even The AGITATOR. :-)
Posted by: ouchhhhhhhh | November 16, 2010 at 01:54 PM
@LRob - Thanks for the catch. I made the fix. It's Barnes' fiance
@Edwin - Yes the game is at 5 pm on KCAL-9
Posted by: Mark Medina | November 16, 2010 at 01:55 PM
Mage - It's not like Ri Ri has the best taste in men.
Posted by: htj | November 16, 2010 at 01:40 PM
Bynum a man? still playing with his car collection!
Posted by: ouchhhhhhhh | November 16, 2010 at 01:56 PM
Tony Parker and Eva Longoria headed to splitsville.
Posted by: htj | November 16, 2010 at 01:56 PM
htj - since I've never seen the movies you guys are referring to, I will take that as the highest compliment and assume Connie's the very hot, wayyy cute chick?
:)
Posted by: justanothermambafan | November 16, 2010 at 01:57 PM
Kobe888,
My apologies for spanking you like a child. I have the TRUTH on my side...and proof. Let me know if you want another spanking, I will happily oblige :}
Posted by: LAKER TRUTH | November 16, 2010 at 01:58 PM
ESPN is running a streak for cash contest, see ya pants!
Posted by: Jamie Sweet | November 16, 2010 at 01:59 PM
..... not to mention devastatingly intelligent and unbelievably witty?
Posted by: justanothermambafan | November 16, 2010 at 01:59 PM
Bye-bye shirt...
Posted by: Jamie Sweet | November 16, 2010 at 01:59 PM
Bye-bye shirt...
Posted by: Jamie Sweet | November 16, 2010 at 01:59 PM
aaaaaaaand
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLuX68zVpRI
Posted by: Jamie Sweet | November 16, 2010 at 02:00 PM
Jamie - NOOOOOOoooooo. Please. We're waaaayyy classier than that. We've got purple & gold thongs after all....
Posted by: justanothermambafan | November 16, 2010 at 02:01 PM
@JAMIE… Back in the old days (Kwame and Smush), the blog was split into two camps – Glass Half Full and Glass Half Empty. Oh, wait… it appears as if the blog is STILL split into two camps, even after back-to-back championships. But then some people are never satisfied. Maybe after a 3-peat and 4-peat, all of the GHE camp will slowly migrate and become GHFers. After all, Lakers fans have every reason in the world to be GHFers rather than GHEers. That’s the point I have been making for four years now. So how are things going for the Sweet man. How’s your garage improv group doing? Loved the creativity.
………………………
TOM
Posted by: LakerTom | November 16, 2010 at 02:04 PM
Edwin, I would have preferred it if to responded to my post to you earlier this morning (the topic was Theo Ratliff and our thinning group of bigs) others to go along with it.
Posted by: KobeMVP888 | November 16, 2010 at 01:48 PM
"(the topic was Theo Ratliff and our thinning group of bigs)"
"(the topic was Theo Ratliff and our thinning group of bigs)"
"(the topic was Theo Ratliff and our thinning group of bigs)"
"(the topic was Theo Ratliff and our thinning group of bigs)"
"(the topic was Theo Ratliff and our thinning group of bigs)"
"(the topic was Theo Ratliff and our thinning group of bigs)"
"(the topic was Theo Ratliff and our thinning group of bigs)"
"(the topic was Theo Ratliff and our thinning group of bigs)"
x 3
does anyone care about "THE TOPIC"?????????????
a. Pathetic.
b. Boring
c. I defer to PJ
d. pretty unsavvy and unsophisticated
e. all of the above
Posted by: ouchhhhhhhh | November 16, 2010 at 02:04 PM
Justa,
You might wanna look up Connie Corleone ... you don't wanta be Connie, justa sayin
Posted by: freeandfair | November 16, 2010 at 02:11 PM
Can it be that David Arquette is the most outgoing and embaasing sibling on the family?
As for the original topic of this thread, I'm still waiting on a answer to Mbenga's availability...
Posted by: mclyne | November 16, 2010 at 02:15 PM
My post was supposed to be "in the family." Please forgive my sloppy typing.
Posted by: mclyne | November 16, 2010 at 02:17 PM