Ron Artest says LeBron James avoided pressure by not signing with New York Knicks, commends Amar'e

BY Mark Lelinwalla
DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

Saturday, July 17th 2010, 4:00 AM

Ron Artest hinted at what a lot of New Yorkers already felt about LeBron James - he wanted to avoid the pressure of playing in the Big Apple.

"I don't think it means anything in particular (that James didn't sign with the Knicks), but if you want some pressure, come to New York," said Artest, who made an appearance at the West 4th St. basketball court in Manhattan Friday. "I don't know what he was thinking. ... He had a different plan. You don't know if he was thinking weather, team, players, friends. But if you want some pressure, come to New York."

Artest added that Amar'e Stoudemire should be given credit.

"The $100 million helps, but he still wanted to come here," said Artest, referring to Stoudemire's five-year deal with the Knicks. "He must be special to want to come to New York. I hope he works hard, works on his defense, becomes a more consistent rebounder and I hope he takes New York to the championship."

Knicks fans do, too.

Artest left Houston to play for a championship contender in LA with Kobe & Gasol... in the past, he's been public about his desire to play for the Knicks, but has never played here... whether that's a product of the Knicks never wanting him, or the fact that his contract demands were out of line w/the plan for 2010, who knows... but be that as it may, is he being hypocritical here in criticizing Lebron for signing with Miami?

Pharzeone wrote:No. Knicks passed on him in the 99 draft which I know hurt him very deeply. Zeke refused to part with Lee in the possible Artest trade a couple of years ago. Houston didn't want to pay Artest what he was looking for and the Lakers jumped in. Houston's offer was a low ball to Artest who got very little on his last contract. Ron preference is NY but for some reason the powers that run MSG don't want him.

I don't know if you've noticed but Ron Artest is a very volatile individual. I don't think having him on a non-championship contender would be a great idea, especially in his hometown. He could erupt at any minute. That's why the powers that be don't want him around.