Harrington still an Artest fan By SEKOU SMITH The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Published on: 02/13/06 Sacramento — Al Harrington and Kings forward Ron Artest used to be teammates in Indiana, and they've been friends for years. Last month they were almost traded for each other. Artest asked to be traded from Indiana, and the Pacers asked the Hawks if Harrington was available. He was not. Sunday night's game between the Hawks and Kings was their first chance to see each other this season. Artest, with the Kings for eight games, was glad to see his former running mate, and just as eager to test the Hawks' assortment of athletic youngsters. "All those young guys are hungry," Artest said. "I like that. I remember when I was young and hungry like that. It's like when we [he and Harrington] were in Indiana with a group of guys grinding and trying to make our mark." When asked about Artest throughout the six weeks that both of their names dominated trade rumors, Harrington said the team that finally landed the mercurial defensive stopper would be glad it did. "Ron-Ron has always been my guy," said Harrington, who was matched on Kenny Thomas at the start Sunday while the 6-foot-7, 260-pound Artest was matched up with Joe Johnson. "He's a beast when he's on his game man. A beast. Sacramento's already a different type of team, a more defense-minded team, with him out there. "When you see how these fans respond to him you'll know it, too. He has an infectious personality and plays a style of basketball that, if he's on your side, you can't help but love it." No player received louder cheers from the crowd at Arco Arena than Artest when the home team was introduced. "I told you," Harrington said as he walked out for the opening tip. "I told you." ‧ DONTA HURT: Second-year guard/forward Donta Smith recently suffered a mild sprain of his medial collateral knee ligament, the same injury that will sideline Hawks point guard Tyronn Lue for at least the next month. Smith, who was assigned to the NBDL affiliate in Little Rock in December, will be evaluated daily but won't be out for a similar length of time, according to Hawks athletic trainer Wally Blase. ‧ DUNK PARTNER: Hawks forward and reigning NBA slam-dunk champion Josh Smith has made point guard Royal Ivey his accomplice for this year's event in Houston. Ivey, a University of Texas grad, was going to be in Texas during the break anyway, so Smith convinced him to come down from Austin for the weekend. As far as plans for the contest, Smith said they remain a "work in progress." 資料來源 http://www.ajc.com/hawks/content/sports/hawks/stories/0213hawknotes.html --

※ 發信站: 批踢踢實業坊(ptt.cc) ◆ From: 59.121.23.181 ※ benliang:轉錄至看板 Kings 02/14 15:23