Empty the Bench

The hits just keep on coming for Ron Artest. Too bad they aren’t hit singles. And even more unfortunately, it appears he’s been doling out a few, too. The Sacramento Kings small forward was arrested this morning after the police received a call from a reported victim that she had been assaulted by the Tru Warrior, and he had also used violence to prevent the woman from calling the police.

Already regarded as the NBA’s greatest malcontent, the incident should draw action from the Sacramento Kings or the NBA in terms of a hefty fine or suspension. Artest is probably best known as the main instigator in the brawl between the Detroit Pistons and Indiana Pacers, the event that ended his 2004 NBA season and forced David Stern to launch a massive PR campaign in its wake. Artest has repeatedly given the league’s image black eyes, and this could be the last straw. The brawl also becomes significant now because this latest event would constitute a violation of his parole stemming from that incident. If he is found to have violated that parole, it should be the last we see of Ron this season. His career would also be in serious jeopardy.

Deputies arrested Artest on suspicion of domestic violence and using force or violence to prevent the woman from reporting a crime, sheriff’s spokeswoman Dena Erwin said.

“He and the female were in the house and separated,” Erwin said. “The deputies interviewed them and took Mr. Artest into custody.”

Artest was booked into the Placer County Jail and released later on $50,000 bail.

This comes just a month after Artest faced legal troubles for animal abuse complaints involving several of his dogs. Artest’s typically childish response to those accusations was, “I have a new professional doggy watcher from out of state that will help me train my dogs better. I’m horrible at that.” If the current assault allegations are true, hopefully this latest incident will prove more difficult for him to shirk the responsibility. Artest, who made a pathetic attempt at a rap career, is also known for asking the Indiana Pacers for a few months off mid-season to promote his album and for destroying a television camera during a temper tantrum at Madison Square Garden. An extremely gifted athlete and easily one of the top defensive players in the NBA, it could be, and should be, a long while before we see Ron Artest playing basketball again.

UPDATE: Artest Removed From King’s Roster

On March 6th, Ron Artest was indefinitely removed from the Sacramento Kings

The allegation — that Artest shoved a woman repeatedly to the floor and then used force to stop her from reporting the crime — led to his being removed indefinitely from the team as the Kings fight for a spot in the National Basketball Association playoffs. He will continue to be paid his $7.15 million salary for this year.