Ron Artest eats ostrich testicles

No the headline isn't wrong or taken out of context, the man recently was fed ostrich testicles by native Africans.

"It tastes like pork," Artest said in an online interview.

This is one of the many things the Kings forward experienced on his recent summer trip to Kenya, Africa. He also viewed a completely different way of living, outside the world of basketball and rap music that is. In a recent interview released on the Kings Web site, Artest talks about African history, feeding those who are hungry, being attacked by a monkey and about watching the natives drink animal blood because "that's how they live."

The trip by Artest is refreshing from a fan's perspective, depending on what his intentions were. One would like to believe the man had a keen interest in heading over seas for the summer to get a glimpse at what life is like and how fortunate he really is to live a lavish life in the states. That is the hopeful and understand side of me. The other side of me wonders if it was a PR ploy by a man who is attempting to revamp his tarnished character.

Off court problems have continued to be Artest's problem throughout his career and even his life. I'm going to stick with the first option only because I want to give the guy the benefit of the doubt. He could quite possibly be a little mentally unbalanced but he has shown some signs of remorse and forgiveness (although the allegations against his wife and dogs are unacceptable if they are both completely true).

So let Ron go over to Africa with a Swahili translator and make a difference in some child's life, and at least try to imagine it being a sincere gesture. Apparently within three years he is going to get a park built over there for all of the children to use because "they have nothing to play with."

He is also opening an AIDS clinic in September as well as having a school named after him. PR stunt or not, the fact is he took the time and effort to make a difference in a country that is in dire need of financial and health assistance. For that, the troubled basketball star should be recognized.

To view the entire interview go here: http://www.nba.com/kings/features/Ron_Summer_2007.html

Falling to the basement

The Kings won't be seen too much by the rest of the country next season.

According to the NBA's 2007-2008 schedule, released Thursday, August 2., the team will only be on national television three times next season.

Two of those appearance likely won't even be watched because they are on NBA-TV. The only chance the country will have to view the Reggie Theus-led Kings will be on Nov. 9 on ESPN when they play the Eastern Conference champs Cleveland Cavs.

Don't take this too personally though. In the past, when a game has been on both national television and Channel 10 I watch the local broadcast anyway. There is something refreshing to watching Grant Napier and Jerry Reynolds make their goofy comments and spar back and forth. It is much more entertaining than listening to Charles Barkley on TNT rant about how Sacramento will never be good and that we are nothing without Chris Webber. Not to mention all of those graphics of him with a baby bib on or of his head on a fat white guy's body.

The lack of acknowledgment is a tad flustering however though for one reason; the fans. The NBA often touts the Sacramento fans as the most loyal and as the loudest. TNT will often have several takes that scan across the crowd during games and timeouts to show the rest of the NBA just how loyal we are. Apparently that isn't enough for rankings though.

To put this in perspective though consider this. The Memphis Grizzlies have the same amount of games on national television as the Kings but at least one of them is on TNT! The Cavs have over 30 nationally televised appearances scheduled for next season.

Yup folks, we have met the floor mat of the league but this shouldn't discourage us. Kevin Martin and the chance at rebuilding will keep the passion for purple thriving!