Marty Mac's World: Artest's biggest enemy is his mouth

Yo, Ron-Ron, my man, do us all – but most of all yourself – a favor and go subterranean.

You know, take it on the low-low. Real low.

If in fact you want to get traded, you're only hurting the cause with your gum flapping.

The media appreciate few things more than an athlete willing to speak as emotionally and bluntly as you do.

However, in this case, that's not in your best interests. And although I disagree with your assessment that you've been mistreated or misled by the Kings (unless one or more of your checks bounced or was late), you being frustrated by a perceived snub is understandable.

Moreover, if you believe the Kings do not have your best interests at heart, you and your family are the folks for whom you have to look out.

You know, better than most, how people can read and/or hear words and use them however they want. You know, better than most, how a year of solid behavior can be dismissed by one comment, taken accurately or inaccurately.

What you offer to any team, including the Kings, is a guy who works hard, plays hard – albeit not always smartly – and a physical presence who scares the heck out of folks.

From personal experience and tracking down trades made since 1992 by Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie, I know the man is not going to panic and make a deal because you are lip-smacking almost daily.

Said one member of the Kings basketball operation: "Right now, he's his own worst enemy. Everybody is thinking there is a fire sale, and there isn't."

Right now, this is the deal: You can be this team's best all-around player coming off arguably your best season despite injuries, family hardship and a new coach.

There's approximately $7.4 million heading your way to play basketball, about which you are passionate.

You're capable – if focused – of averaging 26 points, eight rebounds, five assists and three steals.

Stay out of trouble, and as an unrestricted free-agent in a market that should be far richer, your value will be through the roof.

We all should learn from the past, although we don't always. You have hurt yourself in the past. Why do it again?

All-Star Game a smoker, but …

Where were the African Americans in this All-Star experience? ESPN.com's Rick Reilly addressed the absence during the telecast of the Home Run Derby, but dugout shots during the game said more than any words.

Perhaps that was tricky film work and we were watching a color enactment of a 1950s All-Star tilt. Well, the telecast was in color, but those dugout shots were almost all white in 2008.

Yes, Derek Jeter and Grady Sizemore and Milton Bradley were there, but if after watching that, Major League Baseball doesn't realize it needs to do more, then it really doesn't want to do anything.

Now, this could be a reaction born of growing up during the height of African American participation in baseball as well as the All-Star Game.

As I tried to decide if the 2008 game was the best in memory, up popped the 1964 contest, the last at New York's Shea Stadium. My squad, the A.L., lost when Philadelphia's Johnny Callison took Boston's Dick Radatz deep to win the game.

Check out these African American players from that game: Elston Howard, Billy Williams and Willie Mays (starters) and Bill White, Curt Flood, Hank Aaron and Willie Stargell (reserves).

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• Call The Bee's Martin McNeal, (916) 326-5504.