Artest makes fresh start

BOSTON - Ron Artest wants people to remember some of the good things he did in Indiana, too.

The former Pacers malcontent was with Sacramento for its game against the Boston Celtics on Friday night, two days after he was traded to the Kings for Peja Stojakovic.

"I'm going to play hard. That's all I can do," Artest said before the game. "Things that were distractions to my team in the past - I've learned from my mistakes, and I look forward to those things not happening."

Artest pronounced himself ready to play despite sitting out since mid-December, when he was deactivated in response to a trade request. He's had plenty of experience trying to stay in shape, having missed 73 games plus the playoffs last year - the longest suspension in NBA history - for a fight in the Detroit stands.

"Last year, of course, it was unpaid," he said. "This year it was paid. So it feels a little better."

There were also the times he kicked a ball into the stands, broke a TV camera by throwing it to the ground and arguing with Miami Heat coach Pat Riley during a game. But the top item will always be Nov. 19, 2004, when he was a big part of one of the ugliest brawls in NBA history.

"I think I did a lot of good things in Indiana also that's probably been overshadowed," Artest said. "I think those will be in my memories more than the other stuff."

But he also acknowledged: "I did a lot of things (in Indiana) that were distractions to the team, so maybe it's better if I go," he said, adding that his kids are Pacers fans and they will probably keep their house in Indiana. "I love Indiana and my family loves Indiana."

The Kings are in last place in the Pacific Division, entering Friday night's game with a record of 18-24.

"Our team hasn't performed the way it should," co-owner Joe Maloof said. "We needed to do something. I think the fans in Sacramento were ready for a change no matter what."