ATLANTA – NBA Commissioner David Stern expressed distaste last night about Ron Artest’s recent Today show appearance, in which the Pacer player spent more time hawking his new rap CD than expressing regret over the recent brawl in Detroit.

Stern also acknowledged the NBA’s image has been battered by Nov. 19’s disgusting Motown Brawl that featured players fighting with fans-but stressed he believes it’s only temporary.

Stern suspended Artest for the season and three other players for their roles.

“I’m glad to say I missed that,” said Stern of Artest’s Today appearance. “I am not judging at this point remorse or not. I’m supposed to deal with conduct and to protect our game for people and players.”

Artest’s charge into the stands to attack Piston fans at The Palace follows a disturbing trend in which he’s been repeatedly suspended for abnormally aggressive behavior. Does Stern think this season-long suspension, in which Artest stands to lose more than $5 million, will finally get through to the former pride of Queensbridge?

“I don’t want to make this about Ron Artest’s record at this point,” said Stern, on hand for last night’s Knicks-Atlanta game at Philips Arena to witness a banner ceremony honoring former Atlanta owner Ted Turner.

“The players now know there’s going to be strong medicine when that barrier gets breached. Because it’s bad for their health and all the players’ health.”

But he believes the NBA’s image will rebound.

“Sitting there watching 4 million downloads and 400,000 replays and every commentator, wow, that’s not a good thing and our psyche took a real hit,” Stern said.

“But if you ask me whether attendance, ratings, sales, or excitement of our fans took a hit, the answer is no. . . . “

Stern said as many as 30 Palace fans could be either banned or have their season tickets revoked.

Stern emphasized he didn’t view the incident as “about race.”

“There were white [fans] misbehaving and black [fans] misbehaving,” Stern said.