Artest Admits Drinking Alcohol at Halftime

Andre Agassi use to do meth during tennis matches, so it was only a matter of time before an NBA player was forced to clean.

…and in the least bit of surprise, that confession came from Los Angeles Laker Ron Artest.

Artest, who is notorious for starting fights with fans during games and with fellow teammates after games, apparently had another pre-game, or should I say ‘mid-game’ tradition.

In a salacious interview conducted with Sporting News, Artest admits to drinking his favorite cognac beverage (Hennessy) during halftime when he played with the Chicago Bulls from 1999-2001.

”I used to drink Hennessy at halftime,” Artest was quoted in the Sporting News. ”I (kept it) in my locker. I’d just walk to the liquor store (near the United Center) and get it.”

Artest admits the drinking was a reaction to the team being so bad during that period, but did little cool down the stir he created from the revelation.

I’m not quite sure what is worse?

That an NBA player admitted he once drank alcohol during a game or the lack of punishment from the NBA.

I do admire Artest for remaining honest with the media (something that is severely lacked in professional sports), but I cannot respect David Stern’s lack of emotion to this revelation. Stern, a ‘fine fanatic’, has been known to set back players financially from wearing their arm band to high up on the elbow to a lack of formal attire before and after games, yet his strict dress code seems to do little in regard to addressing substance abuse.

Several players have admitted and/or been busted for marijuana, and frankly, I’m not in the least bit surprised if some players “use” while playing – and now Stern is taking no action against Artest and his confession.

I know the situation occured nearly ten years ago, but not even a slap on the wrist?

Yet another bad PR move on the NBA’s part.