With a sense of timing matched only by MIA rooting for the rioters that torched her own label’s warehouse, the British Basketball League’s Cheshire Jets have approached Lakers F Ron Artest. Presumably about playing basketball, but who knows? From the LA Times’ Mark Medina ;
“We are honored that Ron has even mentioned the prospect of joining the Jets,” said Peter Hawkins, the director of the team. “Financially we have nothing to offer him, but it would be so significant for U.K. basketball. We have offered him a stake in the club and all the love in the world! To have a genuine NBA superstar even considering coming to the BBL is massive news for our sport and could be the launch pad we need in this country to give the sport the profile it deserves; it might even get the BBC interested in showing the sport!”
Artest’s publicist, Courtney Barnes, told The Times on Tuesday that Artest plans to be in Britain from Aug. 18 to Aug. 23 to talk with team officials about possibly playing overseas. However, Barnes added that he hasn’t made a concrete decision on the matter. The Jets’ website indicates that their season begins on Sept. 30 and runs through April 22. Should Artest join the team, FIBA rules would require him to rejoin the Lakers as soon as the NBA lockout ends.
On Tuesday afternoon, Artest noted the possibility of playing with the Jets on Twitter. He posted a picture of Jets center Matt Schneck holding a jersey that referenced the Lakers star’s proposed name change to Metta World Peace. He also tweeted the following message: “Go Jets!!!!! Uk , here we come!!! Jets are the best!!! Jets are the best!!! New chant!!!!!!!!!”