Lakers Blog, Los Angeles Times
The picture you see on the left of Kobe Bryant pouring the champagne over Ron Artest’s head perfectly captures the excitement following the Lakers’ Game 7 win over the Boston Celtics to secure the 2010 NBA title.
That champagne celebration happened just as Artest began to pour out his emotions. When reporters arrived moments later, Artest recapped the circuitous route he took to finally arrive at this point, a destination that proved as lengthy as his recollection. Then, in one of the most memorable postgame press conferences, Artest thanks his psychologist.
It may all feel like a distant memory considering how the Lakers ended the 2011 postseason with a four-game sweep to the Dallas Mavericks in the Western Conference semifinals. But Artest guaranteed to ESPN Los Angeles’ Stephen A. Smith in a 40-minute interview Wednesday that the Lakers will again pop the champagne bottles after winning the 2012 NBA title. Assuming there’s a season of course.
“Win it all,” Artest said when asked what will the Lakers do in the 2011-2012 season. “Win the whole thing. That’s a guarantee.”
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