FREE RON
Pacers president Donnie Walsh told ESPN.com on Friday that Artest will begin practicing with the team as early as Monday.
"When the original suspensions came down, the league wouldn't allow Ron to practice with team this season," Walsh told ESPN.com. "We went to them with Ronnie and made our case that they can't disallow him to practice. It wasn't healthy. You're isolating him. He's a part of our team, and we felt like it was doing unnecessary damage to him and the team by not even allowing him in the building."
The league eventually relented, and the Pacers are welcoming the 25-year-old forward back.
With Artest back in practice, the Pacers will have their full team back together for the first time since the November brawl. Stephen Jackson, who is due to come off his suspension Wednesday, has been practicing and traveling with the team for about 10 days, according to Walsh.
"He looks really good," Walsh said. "He's kept himself in shape. He's hungry. He's got a lot of energy."
Though the Pacers are hopeful that Artest's return will be Monday, it might not be until later in the week. According to Walsh, there's a chance the team won't practice on Monday.
On Tuesday, Artest and other Pacers players have to be in Detroit for a preliminary hearing on criminal charges filed. On Wednesday, the team is in Boston for a game. Because Artest is not allowed to travel with the team, he won't be there. On Thursday, the team is back home for a game versus the Pistons. That means Friday may be the first time he has a chance to actually practice with he team.
Walsh hopes that Artest eventually will be available for more than just practices. The Pacers and the NBPA have made separate pleas to NBA Commissioner David Stern, asking him to reduce the All-Star's season-long suspension.
"I have no assurances of anything," Walsh said. "I wouldn't take this as any indication that he's going to play again this season. But we did talk to Stern and made our case. We received no commitments from the league that they're going to reduce the suspension."
Quelle
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=1971932
Was sagt ihr??!!!