Ron Artest Biography

Hands down one of the best swingmen in NBA history, Ron Artest is the missing piece in the Houston Rockets’ puzzle.

Ron Artest: Childhood
Born on November 13, 1979, Ron Artest grew up in Queens, New York. There, a young Ron Artest and his five siblings would face many hardships, which only shaped him to become the warrior of a basketball player he is today. Despite the chaos that surrounded him, Ron Artest focused on basketball, suiting up to play at both the high school and college level. Armed with competitive fire, Ron Artest led the St. John’s University Redstorm basketball team to the Elite Eight in 1999. At season’s end, Ron Artest was honored with a First-Team All-Big East selection.

Ron Artest: Enter the Bulls
Ron Artest entered the 1999 NBA Draft, which featured the likes of No. 1 pick Elton Brand, Lamar Odom, and Rip Hamilton. The rebuilding Chicago Bulls drafted Ron Artest with their No. 16 pick. Ron Artest teamed up with Elton Brand to become the Chicago Bulls’ one-two punch. At the end of his rookie campaign, Ron Artest (12.0 PPG, 2.8 APG, 1.6 SPG) was named to the NBA All-Rookie second team. In over two seasons with the Chicago Bulls, Ron Artest made his mark as a relentless defender and a fan favorite to boot.

Ron Artest: Headed to Pacers
In need of a swingman and a dose of defensive intensity, the Indiana Pacers traded Jalen Rose, Travis Best, and Norm Richardson to the Chicago Bulls in exchange for Ron Artest, Ron Mercer, Brad Miller, and Kevin Ollie. Under the leadership of the legendary Isiah Thomas in the 2001-02 NBA season, Ron Artest, young PF Jermaine O’Neal, sharp shooter Reggie Miller, and the Indiana Pacers were fighting for their playoff lives – a dream situation for Ron Artest. Although the Indiana Pacers fell to the New Jersey Nets in Round 1, Ron Artest had gotten his first taste of the postseason. 

During the 2003-04 NBA season, go-to guys Ron Artest and Jermaine O’Neal teamed up to become one of the most formidable forward tandems in the NBA. The Indiana Pacers tallied a 61-21 record on the season. Ron Artest turned in his best season as a pro, averaging 18.3 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 3.7 APG, and 2.1 SPG. A wizard on defense, Ron Artest earned a spot in his first All Star Game, was honored as Defensive Player of the Year, and was named to the NBA All-Defensive team.

Ron Artest: 2004-05 Pacers Season
Already hailed as one of the NBA’s premier players, Ron Artest was doing everything right going into the 2004-05 NBA season, whether he was scoring in flurries, hitting from the free-throw line, nailing three-point shots, picking up steals, or crashing the boards. However, Ron Artest’s stellar play is often overshadowed by a brawl that took place early in the season. Ron Artest has put the brawl behind him and undoubtedly turned his attitude around while still keeping his edge on the hardwood.

Ron Artest: Trade to the Kings
In need of a change of scenery and a new start, Ron Artest was traded in the middle of the 2005-06 NBA season to the Sacramento Kings in exchange for Peja Stojakovic. Ron Artest injected a shot of much-needed defense to an offensive-minded, Rick Adelman-led Sacramento Kings team. Easily fitting in with his new team, Ron Artest and the Sacramento Kings reeled off an impressive 14-5 run and snagged the No. 8 seed in the West at season’s end. For the next couple of seasons, Ron Artest was the go-to guy on a rebuilding Sacramento Kings team.

Ron Artest: Houston Rockets Trade
The Houston Rockets Ron Artest trade made headline news in the sports world in the 2007-08 offseason. Fans with Houston Rockets tickets cheered at the prospect of defensive juggernaut Ron Artest joining forces with big man Yao Ming and dynamic scorer Tracy McGrady for the new NBA season. With the trade, NBA pundits are hailing the Houston Rockets as one of the top-tier teams to beat in the Western Conference and NBA at large. Houston Rockets tickets are in high demand once again and are sure to sell out in the Houston Rockets arena, Toyota Center.

Ron Artest: 2008-09 NBA Season

Houston Rockets tickets will feature the versatile swingman Ron Artest, who brings intensity and competitive fire on both sides of the ball. Fans with Houston Rockets tickets are sure to enjoy Ron Artest in action as he is one of the best on-the-ball defenders in the game. If Ron Artest can continue to lock down on defense while still contributing on offense when called upon, he will present plenty of match-up problems for opposing teams while giving the Houston Rockets the toughness and edge the team has been lacking.

Much to the delight of fans with Houston Rockets tickets, Houston Rockets coach Rick Adelman will likely assign Ron Artest to guard the opposing team’s best scorer, such as the Los Angeles Lakers Kobe Bryant or the Cleveland Cavaliers’ LeBron James, whether they are driving to the basket or roaming the perimeter. Order Houston Rockets tickets from OnlineTickets.com today and don’t miss Ron Artest donning the Houston Rockets logo this season!