Dear Tiger … from Ron

Here’s what Ron Artest blogged today in an open letter to Tiger Woods.
Enjoy.

Dear Tiger,
In reading the statements you have made, I can tell you are a stand up guy. Please remember only Jesus is perfect. You made a mistake and you admitted your infidelity.
I have made the same mistakes. Before I got married to my wife, I had a baby with another young lady, after I already had two by my girlfriend who is now my wife. We also had another baby which makes three for us and four for me. Two boys and two girls.
My wife is a much better wife than I am a husband. We still argue and disagree after being together 16 years. and I still cope with the fact that there are so many women out there and I choose to stay loyal to my wife.
I want to be home every night, but with traveling I can’t, and sometimes I might want to go to a bar or club and be one of the fellas. Most of the time I stay in, because I have my kids and wife.
I cannot sit here and say the thought to have many women has never crossed my mind. If I were Jesus I could.
I have known my wife for 16 years- since I was 14 years old.
She was my first.
On the way to 2010 we had many ups and downs on the way, mostly my fault. But I really choose to work hard and play ball to support her and my kids. The same reason you are building your legacy.
I have been disturbed by this because there are many people who are happy that this bad news has come out.
There are a lot of sports announcers and regular reporters who are not perfect in their own homes, yet they want to bring you down.
You have done so much for people, the sport of golf, and your family and you gave your wife a life that people can’t even dream of.
I thought you were 36 or 37 until I read the news today. A 33-year-old man who has been a model citizen with so much at stake. This is your first publicly known issue since you started your career, compared to my 50 or more publicly known issues and mistakes.
You have been the perfect role model for me and my sons for longer than anyone I have known.
With the exception of a few legends.
As your fan, I can’t wait to see you golf again.
And us athletes know how much you personally love your family.

One love,
Ron Artest
This is just a fan mail letter to Tiger Woods fans and indirectly to Tiger himself.
Please, everyone support Tiger in these tough times for his family.

Also if you are a sports announcer or regular everyday reporter or blogger please step up like Tiger and tell your wife or husband if you have any skeletons in your closet. Especially if you were one of the few attacking TIGER!!
One Love People

Bryant feeling better

Just got word from Lakers HQ in El Segundo. Kobe Bryant participated in the team’s light workout this morning and showed no signs of the stomach ailment that slowed him to a crawl during the Lakers’ loss to the Utah Jazz. Bryant needed intravenous fluids before and during Saturday’s game. He scored a season-low 16 points on 7-for-24 shooting. The Lakers expect him to play in Tuesday’s game against the Bulls in Chicago.

Byron Scott to ESPN

Is this a temporary stop for the former Lakers guard, who was fired earlier in the season as the coach of the New Orleans Hornets? There are plenty of people who believe he could be next in line if Phil Jackson decides to retire at the end of the season.

From the ESPN press release: Former NBA star and head coach Byron Scott has joined ESPN as an NBA studio analyst and will start his new role in January. Scott previously served as an ESPN analyst during the 2003-04 season.

Scott most recently served as head coach of the Hornets (2005-09), and won NBA Coach of the Year in 2008. He was head coach of the New Jersey Nets (2000-04) and, in 2001-02, led them to a franchise record 52 wins and The Finals against the Lakers. Scott led the Nets back to The Finals the following season (2002-03) against the San Antonio Spurs.

Scott was a key player for the Lakers during the “Showtime” era, playing alongside Magic Johnson, James Worthy, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. He played for the Lakers for 10 consecutive seasons (1983-1993). During that time he won three NBA championships (1985, 1987 and 1988).

Shannon Brown feature

Here’s a sampling of what Shannon Brown’s Lakers teammates are saying about him and his leaping and dunking ability in a feature set to run this week:
Derek Fisher: “He’s just one of those guys who makes you think that humans really can fly,”
Kobe Bryant: “I’ve never seen a guy who can get up like that. He’s just explosive, extremely explosive, but also has a good feel for the game. He just turned 24, so there’s a lot more he can do. He can do a lot more than (dunk).

Jazz 102, Lakers 94

SALT LAKE CITY — The Lakers’ 11-game winning streak ended tonight, with the Utah Jazz building a 17-point lead in the second half and holding on down the stretch. Ron Artest, Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol each scored 16 points, and Derek Fisher had 15. Bryant was off his form because of a stomach ailment and a fractured right index finger. Deron Williams led the Jazz with 21 points and 11 assists. Ronnie Brewer and Wesley Matthews added 19 each. The Lakers lacked the spark that carried them during their streak. Bryant’s illness and injury had something to do with it. So did playing on consecutive nights.

Halftime: Jazz 59, Lakers 53

SALT LAKE CITY — Kobe Bryant started by missing four of his first six shot but finished the first half with eight points on 4-for-10 shooting tonight. Derek Fisher had 13 points on 5-for-6 shooting to lead the Lakers, who trailed by as many as nine points. Wesley Matthews torched the Lakers for 16 points on 6-for-8 shooting in the half. Deron Williams added 10 points and five assists for the Jazz, who lost to the Lakers on Wednesday.

Bryant ailing

SALT LAKE CITY — Kobe Bryant arrived at EnergySolutions Arena tonight with an upset stomach. He received intravenous fluids before the Lakers faced the Utah Jazz. He was expected to play in the game. Bryant also suffered a fractured right index finger, which required him to wear a splint. Lakers coach Phil Jackson said the injury would take four to six weeks and that Bryant might be forced to wear the splint for the next week or two.

Lakers 104, T-Wolves 92

Did the Lakers’ 11th consecutive victory come with a price? it turns out Kobe Bryant suffered an avulsion fracture of his right index finger. It did not stop him from scoring a team-leading 20 points on 8-for-18 shooting, but it remains to be seen how it will impact him in future games. The Lakers left late tonight for the start of a five-game trip. Pau Gasol had 17 points and 20 rebounds and Ron Artest added 16 points as the Lakers improved their league-best record to 18-3. Al Jefferson led Minnesota with 24 points. Kevin Love couldn’t shoot straight, but the former UCLA standout had 19 rebounds. Love scored only seven points on 3-for-14 shooting.

Halftime: Lakers 56, Timberwolves 54

The Lakers’ Big Three of Kobe Bryant, Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol scored 10 points each in the first half tonight. Bryant suffered a fractured right index finger late in the first quarter and played only 16 minutes in the half. Al Jefferson and Ramon Sessions each had 12 points for Minnesota. Before the game, the Lakers presented Minnesota coach Kurt Rambis with his championship ring. Actually, Lakers coach Phil Jackson did the presenting at halfcourt. Rambis, a former Lakers player and assistant coach, received a warm reception from the Staples Center crowd.

Kobe fractures index finger

Kobe Bryant fractured his right index finger while reaching for a pass with 1:40 left in the first quarter of tonight’s game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. He walked directly to the Lakers’ bench and received treatment from athletic trainer Gary Vitti. Moments later, Bryant was back in the game and making a short left-handed jumper from the paint.