News & Views

Ron Artest loves LA & the LA fans

Since debuting with the Chicago Bulls in 1999, the life and career of Los Angeles Lakers’ forward Ron Artest can be described as the combination of impressive, sad and bizarre.  Artest’s wacky road has included All-Star and All-Defensive accolades, the most famous player/fan altercation in sports history and a claim that he used to consume Hennessy cognac during halftime of games.  

Via a myriad of on and off-the-court occurrences, Artest can easily be considered one of the most infamous men ever to set foot on the NBA hardwood.

Well, that was then and this is now.

Since joining the Lakers, prior to this season, Artest has exhibited a maturity and comfort level not seen in any of his previous stops.  It is abundantly clear that Artest feels right at home amid the dual cultures of the Lakers and the city of Los Angeles.  

This idea has been very evident when witnessing his continual interaction with the LA community. Below are two pieces of video and a story displaying this situation.

The first video is set outside of Toast Bakery Café on 3rd St. in Los Angeles.  

The second video takes place at Warehouse Shoe Sale on Century Blvd. in Inglewood, the old home of the Lakers.  Artest was taking part in an autograph signing at the store.

The story involves a fan describing his chance meeting and photo with Artest at an LA Starbucks.

Photograph Source: Zuma Press

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Jon Rapoport has spent his career working on all sides of the media and sports industry. He began his career at ESPN in studio production at the ESPN headquarters in Bristol, Connecticut. While there, he won an Emmy for his contribution to "SportsCenter." Following his tenure at ESPN, Jon relocated to Los Angeles, joining the staff of the “Best Damn Sports Show” on FOX Sports Net.

Upon leaving the show, Jon worked in Web site and sports radio show development/production, with Major League Baseball in media operation logistics for the World Baseball Classic and on behalf of Los Angeles’ effort to bring the 2016 Summer Olympics back to Southern California. Jon currently writes a political blog for the Los Angeles edition of Examiner.com.

Born and raised in Plymouth, Minnesota (just outside of Minneapolis), Jon is an avid sports fan, particularly for his beloved Minnesota teams. Jon graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park, where he earned his BA in communication and interned for ABC’s “Good Morning America” in New York City and Washington D.C. He is married and resides in Los Angeles.  

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