PRESEASON: Nets 105 – Pacers 103
Ron Artest insists he is older, wiser, more mature. The Indiana forward who was at the center of the infamous Pacers-Pistons brawl last Nov. 19 claims he’ll never again respond the way he did. He’s changed.
But not as a player.
“I’m going to still be playing hard, out of control, just wild, like an animal,” Artest said last night before the Nets beat Indy, 105-103, in the preseason opener for both at the Meadowlands.
“I need to be caged in. I’ll let the referees handle it.”
Artest is prepared for taunting, jeering and whatever else fans have in store, although the sparse crowd last night greeted him with indifference. He believes he won’t need to dodge any objects, but he’s ready for the verbal jabs.
“I’m looking forward to it,” said Artest, the St. John’s product via Queensbridge. “I’m looking forward to being bashed, cursed out, everything. That’s going to be a lot of fun.”
For those just arriving from Jupiter, Artest received the harshest brawl penalty when he was banished for the remainder of the season, sitting out 73 games. Appeals and attempts to play in the playoffs were denied.
“I wish I could have been there, played,” said Artest claiming he has received more support than condemnation from fans. “Unfortunately, it’s not our league. Overseas, I would have been good. People think for themselves. They can say whatever they want to the media. I understood. But the majority were with me. There were a lot of people who weren’t with the decision, or with whoever made the decision. It’s over now.”
While playing the way he has always played, with an “edgy” fire and intensity that led to him being named the 2003-04 Defensive Player of the Year.
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Zoran Planinic (14 points, 13 in second half), part of second unit that excelled, drove at :05.9 to win game. . . . Vince Carter led scoring with 18 points in 19 minutes. . . . Marc Jackson suffered mild groin strain, will be re-evaluated today. . . .
Jason Collins (2 points, 2 rebounds) played despite recent soreness and swelling following offseason knee surgery. . . . Jeff McInnis remained sidelined with a back-muscle strain.
