After Ron Artest almost blew the game with an ill-advised shot, he ended up winning it for the Lakers. With 1:01 remaining and the Lakers up three, Ron Artest bricked a 20-foot jumper. Pau Gasol cleared the offensive rebound and passed it out to Artest, who (ponderously) took a three with 0:56 remaining. Phil Jackson gave him an earful during the timeout, and after Jason Richardson banked home the game-tying three with 0:03 to play, it looked like the game was heading to overtime, barring a Kobe Bryant miracle shot, of course.

Bryant got his shot, but it was a terrible look, and there was enough time left on the clock for Artest to collect the rebound and put it back in. It sure seems like there is so much attention paid to Kobe that everyone’s watching him shoot instead of getting into position for the defensive rebound. It was Richardson who failed to box out Artest.

Has Artest finally validated the Lakers’ decision to sign him instead of re-signing Trevor Ariza?


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