Artest says he drank during games while with Bulls

Los Angeles Lakers forward Ron Artest(notes) has said that he drank alcohol during games when he was a member of the Chicago Bulls.

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

Artest also said that he was a “head case” when he broke into the NBA with the Bulls, for whom he played from 1999-2002.

The 30-year-old Artest said in the interview that the drinking happened in part because the Bulls lost so often.

Artest is now in his first year with the Lakers. In the interview, Artest commented on accepting a role in Kobe Bryant’s(notes) supporting cast.

“It’s weird because people don’t think about the whole basketball game,” Artest said. “There’s offense: Kobe averages 30 and is a great offensive player. Then you have defense. So on defense, now I have my supporting cast. … I’m one of the best defenders to ever play basketball, so I’m still the first option on defense.”

In the article Artest said he’s still ready to fight Detroit center Ben Wallace(notes), the player who shoved him on he play that preceeded the brawl with Pistons fans.

“He said he wanted to fight me? You all need to check and see if he’s still drinking,” Wallace said Wednesday night before Detroit’s game in Chicago.

“He’s just running his mouth. You all know who you’re talking about. It’s Ron Artest, just talking.”

Well damn.

Lawd, this fool right here . . .

Ben was funny tho

Vendetta1 said:

Drinking Hennessy at halftime cuz they losing

If that ain't some hood shit I just don't know what is.

so that's a no then

SCNDLS said:

Maybe if you were a Bulls FANNNNN, you could get away with saying that, but not when you're on the team!

Jeeez

next thing you know, some pro athlete is gonna admit to once having a meth lab in their locker....

them some multitasking motherfuckers...

Oh come on, like we haven't all played basketball drunk before.

meow85 said:

The guy I "dated" my senior year, and his/my friend, H. would both drink before their basketball games. As a freshman, I remember the seniors on our track team drinking in the school bus at the track meets - before noon and before their races. I'm sure there were guys on our football team that drank before games, too.

He's such a knucklehead!

SCNDLS said:

Could be worse. Homie could've been keeping a red cup of Miller High Life under the bench every game