L.A. Times: Ron Artest sat in his chair with his hands on his chin, a towel wrapped around his waist, an ice bucket nearby, a look of interest at the mob of reporters surrounding teammate Lamar Odom.
Artest slowly began to dress, appearing content with the job he had just completed.
He was acquired last summer by the Lakers to put the clamps on All-Star small forwards such as Denver’s Carmelo Anthony.
And Artest did, using his strength and defensive acumen to hold Anthony down to the point the Nuggets’ star fouled out during the Lakers’ 95-89 victory over Denver on Sunday at Staples Center.
Artest refused to give Anthony an inch, the two going head-to-head, the Lakers’ forward grinding down Anthony to a seven-for-19 shooting game, 21 points and eight turnovers.
“He’s definitely one of the better players in the NBA,” Artest said. “But like I say all the time, when I’m playing, for years, I never worry about the offensive player. Whether they get 50 or whether they get 10, I don’t really care about an offensive player, even if they have a good game.”
Artest held Anthony eight points below his average. Before that, he held Golden State’s Corey Maggette three points below his average, Boston’s Paul Pierce seven below his, Memphis’ Rudy Gay three below his average and Dallas’ Shawn Marion a point below his average.
“Some people get in a defensive rhythm,” Artest said. “I can get into a defensive rhythm. I think I’m in a little rhythm right now defensively. That’s what I’m going to try to do, keep people under their average and keep my strength.”
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