Ailene Voisin: Artest right to focus on health, daughter instead of last games

OAKLAND – Ron Artest unfailingly keeps them guessing.

His teammates, who shake their heads in resignation. His head coach, who is still new to all this, and given the time of the season, isn't inclined to incite further controversy. His bosses, who await a decision regarding his potential free agency.

The latest non-issue? A sprained left thumb.

Artest skipped the game in Denver, played against the Lakers, sat out Tuesday's 140-132 loss to the Golden State Warriors. OK, so the in-out, in-out, in-out uncertainty is undeniably disruptive. Yet, by way of explanation – and not without a certain logic – he mentions the club's NBA draft lottery-bound situation and allows that he will "play at home" for the fans but isn't interested in risking further injury in Denver, Los Angeles or Oakland.

No, Artest messes up because he forgets to set the table. He grabs the fork when he should be reaching for the spoon. He has missed shootarounds and arrived at the game expecting to play. He has participated in the morning prep sessions and removed himself from the lineup, often within minutes of tipoff and long after his teammates and coaches have prepared for his presence.

In the real world that constitutes rude and inconsiderate behavior – lousy manners, if you will – and something Geoff Petrie and Reggie Theus clearly should address during the offseason. They either need to implement new rules and policies or start enforcing them, because the "is he, or is he not?" nightly drama has exhausted many within the organization.

But right now Artest should be left alone. He should be embraced, encouraged, perhaps simply endured. Even his usual critics – and there were plenty on the Northern California airwaves earlier Tuesday when it was revealed he was skipping the Warriors game – should pause for reflection, because the Kings' best player is confronting ongoing medical matters far more devastating than any sprained thumb: Diamond's recurring cancer.

No parent wants to hear their 4-year-old daughter, after undergoing chemotherapy treatments, is experiencing a recurrence of cancer in her only kidney. Yet this is what Artest learned Monday after soliciting a second opinion. This is his real world, and right now, it's overwhelming.

"I don't care what people think," the veteran small forward said before the game in a lengthy, often impassioned discussion in the middle of the visitors locker room. "I want to play. I want to play right now. I play my butt off. I play when my daughter's sick.

"For people to question me … it's frustrating explaining it, and I don't need to explain it all the time, especially with my daughter. We just got some more not encouraging news. Playing helps a lot, but then you go home …"

Given his turbulent history and the additional pressure of his pending free agency – where one works is not a minor concern – an argument can be made that Artest's season has been both remarkably calm and productive.

In 56 games, he has averaged 20.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, and despite a tendency to dominate the ball, a very respectable 3.5 assists. Of equal significance, there have been no brawls or off-court incidents, few technical fouls, and only the occasional fine and usual spats with his coach.

Whether he should be traded or re-signed, retained for the future or discarded with the past, will become an increasingly debated topic. But with four games remaining and the Kings slotted for the draft lottery, Artest's physical and mental state should be of far greater concern than his presence against the Warriors, Blazers, Hornets, Spurs or Lakers.

"If you're in the playoffs," acknowledged Artest, his fatigue noticeable, "then you get your x-ray tomorrow.

Definitely when I'm at home (Arco), I want to play (as opposed to) somebody else's gym. Sacramento … I'd rather hurt myself at home than on the road. I can play and hurt it. I can play and not hurt it. I don't know how to explain it."

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• Call The Bee's Ailene Voisin, (916) 321-1208.