By Simon Liang
Daily Titan Asst. Sports Editor

Mostly known for his defense, Artest is a matchup nightmare for opposing players. Photo Courtesy MCT.

Ron Artest didn’t always drink alcohol, but when he did, he preferred Hennessy when he was a member of the Chicago Bulls.

In an interview with the Sporting News, Artest said, “I used to drink Hennessy … at halftime. I (kept it) in my locker. I’d just walk to the liquor store and get it.”

Can you blame the guy?

In his first two years as a Bull, they won a total of 32 games. They were role models for the 2009-10 New Jersey Nets.

My first reaction: What was this guy doing with a bottle of alcohol when he had a basketball game to play? Is he crazy?

But you see, this is Ron Ron: spontaneous, wild, and at times, deranged.

He is a unique player in this league; he says whatever he wants, and people still listen.

Artest later said to ESPN, “I guess being famous, fame, not being able to handle it at such a young age, led to a lot of frustration and would lead to me making dumb decisions, such as the comment I made the other day.”

Did he think about the repercussions after the comment he made? Probably not.

Get used to it, Los Angeles. Artest is the NBA’s bad ass. After Dennis Rodman retired, someone had to take the crown.

Let’s just hope this bad ass attitude stays at entertaining levels off the court, such as his infamous appearance on the “Jimmy Kimmel Show” in just his boxers.

On the court, Artest has displayed why he is still considered one of the best lock down defenders in the NBA.

His focus has been apparent. He only has two technical fouls, a far cry from past seasons.

He has shown a calm demeanor, and he has temporarily botched Lakers fans’ memory of a certain small forward who made dashing plays in the playoffs last season.

Who? Oh yeah, Trevor Ariza, that one guy who plays for the Houston Rockets.

Artest has made the Lakers’ transition from Ariza smooth and painless.

So far, it looks like the Lakers scored a great deal, especially if they win a championship or two, but we will have to wait a couple years until we know if they made the right decision.

Surely, right now Ariza must be wishing he was back in a Lakers’ uniform and part of a nine-game winning streak and the NBA’s best record.

I would say Artest’s defense and selflessness has been a big part of that.

We know about Kobe Bryant and the twin towers of Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum, but without Ron Ron’s defense, how else is the Lake Show first in the league in opponent field-goal percentage?

Rivals in last season's playoffs, Artest and Bryant have formed a great relationship on the court as teammates. Photo Courtesy MCT.

Artest’s impact should not be overlooked.

He, along with Bryant, form one of the league’s toughest perimeter defender tandems. Add that to the size of the two seven-footers inside, and you have intimidation at its best.

Even with all the success, I’m sure many people are just waiting for Artest to do a complete 360 and revert back to his old ways.

However, everyone must look past his prior mistakes and just look at the present.

We know the brawl at the Palace of Auburn Hills will never go away, but Artest is a grown 30-year-old father of four now.

He is no longer an immature teen from Queens trying to make a name for himself in the NBA.

Artest has already struck fear in every wing player in the league.

As the season progresses, I am sure you won’t see Artest carrying around a bottle of ‘Henny’ outside LA Live.

He will be too happy as a Laker; he’ll be too busy trying to hang up another championship banner at the Staples Center in June.

And as the great Notorious B.I.G. said in his song “Juicy,” “Now we sip champagne when we thirsty, damn right I love the life I live, ‘cause I went from negative to positive, and it’s all … good.”

Those will be the thoughts running through Ron Ron’s mind.

He is far from his lowest low in Indiana and currently at his highest high in LA.

This time around he will be sipping on champagne after the playoffs.

Artest’s infectious personality has brought out the mean streak in the Lakers; they are bigger and badder than last year.

“His reputation is expanding, faster than the universe.

His charm is so contagious, vaccines were created for it.

He once had an awkward moment, just to see how it feels.”

He is the most interesting man in the NBA.