The Top 10 Reasons Why I Love Ron Artest

I was quite upset when the Lakers claimed their 16th NBA championship last Thursday night. I was disgusted to see rapist, I mean basketball star Kobe Bryant running around the arena. And then Ron Artest saved the day. How did he do that? I will get to that in my countdown. Ron-Ron became one of sport's most infamous figures in history and was once reviled by fans all over the world. My take is that Ron has a few screws loose, grew up in abject poverty, but ultimately means well. He has become my favorite player in the NBA and here are the top 10 reasons why:

10: Ron-Ron drank hennessey in the Bulls locker room during half-time of games. The former Chicago Bull admitted to drinking "halftime henney" during games. The Bulls stunk awfully bad at the time and I can't blame him for it. Who hasn't wanted to get hammered on the job in the midst of a horribly bad day?

9: He recorded his agent telling him about the deal with the Lakers and the particulars of the contract and posted it on Youtube. Artest received a large sum of money to play with the Lake Show. Artest revealed to the camera after he hung up the phone that he would have played for the Lakers for free. His agent was not happy.

8: Ever feel like bowling with your favorite athlete? Ron Artest made the dreams of his fans in L.A. come true when he Tweeted the location of a bowling alley and invited anyone that could come bowl to come and do so. When a couple of hundred people showed up, Ron threw up the cash for the entire crowd and treated them to food and drinks as well.

7: Another dream is to maybe have your favorite athlete for dinner. One time Ron-Ron was listening to a local sports radio station when he heard a Latina fan of his express her love for him and her wish that he would come over for dinner. He contacted the radio station, got her information and showed up that night. He had a family dinner with her and her children and frequently visits for more meals during the off-season.

6: Ron Artest has interesting hair-do's. But the one that took the cake was when he shaved the Houston Rockets emblem into the side of his head. Dennis Rodman used to color his hair, but Ron-Ron makes his a work of art.

5: There are multiple reasons why players choose the numbers that they wear. The best explanation for the significance of a number has to be the reason why Ron Artest chose the #37 as his number for the Lakers. It signifies the 37 weeks that Michael Jackson's album Thriller stayed in the #1 spot on the Billboard charts.

4: Many people hate Ron Artest because of the Malice at the Palace. I, for one, like him for it. True, he was showing off by laying on the scorers table in protest of a technical foul call, but when he was hit with that beer, it was on. How many of you have ever been splashed with an alcoholic beverage? I have and it is infuriating. Ron-Ron's inner hood came out on full blast and he regulated on some punks. He just did what all of us wish we could do.

3: Ron Artest is a shameless self-promoter and he is proud of it. He never shy's away from an opportunity to talk about his record label, artists on his record label or songs that he is releasing. After the Lakers won game 7, he looked into the camera and started shouting, among other things, "I've got a single coming out tomorrow called 'Champion'! Check out my new single!" Artest also showed up on the Today show after the fight in Detroit, refused to apologized, instead pushing his record. You have to give a guy props for being a good promoter and business man. I haven't heard "Champion" yet but I am looking forward to it.

2: Ron-Ron never leaves an opportunity out to say that he is from the hood. It's the base of who he is as a person and it is an important piece to understanding the puzzle that is Ron Artest. While discussing rough play in an interview Ron described watching one of his friends get stabbed in the chest with a table leg. This happened when Artest was a youngster living in Queens New York. After winning game one of this post season Artest exclaimed "Queens Bridge is in the house!" after an interview with Hannah Storm.

1: Ron-Ron is the most genuine, honest player in the NBA. He will tell you what is on his mind at all times. What won me over once and for all was when he thanked his psychiatrist on national T.V. after winning the championship. Ron was admitting to the world that he has mental problems, he was admitting that he has screwed up in the past, he was admitting that he is seeking help and he was showing people that he overcame huge obstacles to be at the pinnacle of his profession.

Well, there you have it. I am expecting to get hate thrown at me in the comments section for this but I really don't care. I like Ron Artest. He's funny, engaging and he gives the best interviews in all of sports. He is the only guy that has the guts to call out Kobe by saying, "Kobe finally passed me the ball! Kobe never passes me the ball!" Good for you Ron-Ron, good for you.