Foreign Reports Suggest Ron Artest May Try to Play in Finland

Ron Artest is known for his crazy behavior and spontaneous actions, so reading reports that he may be making plans to play basketball in Finland should not be taken lightly. Still, it’s extremely difficult to put much stock into these reports. BallinEurope.com via Eye on Basketball explains what’s going on. Someone named Hippo Taatila says:

“Finland’s top league Korisliiga will witness some serious NBA talent in September 2011, when Los Angeles Lakers forward/multipersonality Ron Artest will join league newcomer LoKoKo Loimaa.”

And in an Ilta-Sanomat newspaper, the LoKoKo sports directer says:

“We have sorted things out and I can happily confirm that Artest will arrive in Finland.”

Alright, even for a guy who changes his name to Metta World Peace, reading a report suggesting he is planning to play in Finland is difficult to believe.

I’m guessing one of two things is going on here: one, maybe Artest is planning to go to Finland for some sort of goodwill tour. Two, maybe this is a backup plan in case there is a lockout. It just doesn’t make sense that a guy who has three years left on his Lakers contract would leave it for Finland. Seriously, think about how ridiculous that sounds. Can you really picture the reigning sportsmanship award winner playing ball in Finland while he still has good years left in the NBA? Neither can I.

UPDATE: Ron Artest’s agent denies the report