Give the Kings organization a considerable amount of credit for taking the highest of roads as it pertains to Houston Rockets swingman Ron Artest.

Numerous members refused repeated requests for even one specific example of how Artest's quirky, often unpredictable behavior influenced the team's decision to trade him when he was traded.

There was and never will be a desire on my behalf to ridicule Artest. That's not the way we roll in the World.

There only was a desire for the team to explain its thought process. The Kings have explained partially, but not specifically. The reporter side is disappointed, but the human side respects the organization's decision.

It would be easy to take the other route.

And on second thought on that ridicule concept in the World, there was former Kings coach Eric Musselman.

It took nearly 30 years in the business to run into the likes of Musselman, whom I believe was so power-hungry and abusive at times to his peers that he deserved anything truthful and accurate.

In fact, there's never been a head coach to my knowledge whose own staff – the one the Little Dude compiled – on an individual basis, given the opportunity, probably would have whipped his butt.

Artest, unlike Musselman, was truthful to a fault regarding most nearly everything. There are few players whom as people I like more than Ron-Ron.

Perhaps the only person about whom Artest failed to be totally honest was himself. It's believed by many that Artest was unaware of how some of his decisions affected others, but that's not giving his intelligence enough credit.

Ron-Ron knows what he's doing – in my opinion – but believes his stunts should be understood because of his considerable skills, talents, desire and hard work.

Had the Kings been closer to championship contender I think they again would have been tolerated, as they will be in Houston. Artest clearly has matured over the past few years and hopefully that process will continue.

When the best isn't enough

Michael Phelps is the best swimmer ever. Ever! EVER! The man not only has won eight gold medals in Beijing, but has done so in an amazingly dominating fashion. He's been an automatic aquatic world record.

It easily can be argued Phelps is the greatest Olympian in modern history, which dates to 1896. Isn't that enough? Apparently, it is not.

Yet, observers feel the need to compare Phelps' achievements where they don't belong. Phelps does his thing in water, so how can he be compared to others who work on land?

Phelps has earned a term – superstar – almost never used in this space. In fact, he should immediately be cast for the lead in the inevitable movie, "Aquaman."

Spain's humor invisible

Taking a photograph while slanting their eyes as the Spanish men's and women's basketball teams did (the Spanish basketball federation described it as a gesture of "affection, friendliness and recognition") hardly was appropriate.

Moreover, given a history of previous transgressions where monkey chants greeted black English soccer players and black Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton was harassed in the Spanish Grand Prix, it's clear some of Spain's folks need a major attitude adjustment.

And if the country's policymakers don't clamp down on its countryfolks' behavior, then sanctions from beyond will be more than just. They'll be earned.

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