On court.

Not everyone has what it takes to see the absent, the missing. Most people just see the blatant, or come to some obvious, unsubtle conclusion based on surface evidence. That's fine, I suppose, if your standards aren't higher. It'll get you by, mostly. There is beauty in the stillness though. A finer mind appreciates the presence and the absence, sees the form and the void. I guess it takes a Zen mind to understand what isn't there. A little more sophistication. Not everyone has that, but I don't think they should feel wholly inadequate. Just... common.

I was watching the Kings last night and do you know what I realized? Ron Artest has not gone crazy. Yeah. That's right. Ron Artest has not charged the crowd and punched a fan since he's been here. He has not publicly requested trades, been benched and sulked. He's not throwing flagrant fouls willy-nilly. He hasn't choked anyone, thrown temper tantrums, or made a scene on court. As far as basketball goes, he has been a productive, non-controversial starter. I WAS RIGHT about him. And you weren't.

If you were one of the several people who emphatically insisted Ron Artest = Impending Implosion, or Ron Artest = CRAZYTIME, I want you to know that the comments here are a shame-free zone. You can admit things there, and we won't judge you. You can admit things like "Megan, you were right and I was wrong." "I was so wrong when I laughed at your team for acquiring Artest and I should never have mocked you for having faith in him." Go ahead. The comments are WIDE OPEN. Get comfy in there. Stretch out. Say the words you know are true. Ron Artest did not go nuts playing basketball in Sacramento. People can change. We redeemed him. JUST LIKE I SAID.