No, that’s not a typo. Yes, the same guy that has been the biggest instigator and irritant in the league appears to have turned the corner. But think about it, aside from his typical physical play, you don’t hear any bad about him and he apparently has been busy away from the court as well…
Los Angeles Lakers forwards Lamar Odom and Ron Artest were friends growing up in Queens, N.Y., as children and both are now recipients of two of the NBA’s coveted annual awards.
Artest was named the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award winner on Tuesday, exactly one week after Odom was named the league’s Sixth Man of the Year Award winner.
“I think it’s great recognition that the NBA sees what I’ve been doing outside of basketball,” Artest said after Lakers shootaround Tuesday in preparation of Game 5 of their first-round series with the New Orleans Hornets. “I’m definitely grateful for the award.
“It’s something that’s not on people’s minds as far as me getting a citizenship award, but it was something that I wanted and I’m definitely happy I got it.”
The citizenship award is presented annually by the Professional Basketball Writers Association and is named for the second commissioner of the league. It honors an NBA player or coach for outstanding service and dedication to the community.
Read more about Ron’s award via ESPN.com
