AUBURN HILLS -- Ron Artest talked before the game about how through his community service endeavors he has build up a nice little fan base in Detroit.
None of those fans were at The Palace on Friday, apparently, as Artest was booed every time he touched the ball.
His response, he blew kisses and pumped in 18 points in the Kings' 100-93 win.


Artest's fans don't show (http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080119/SPORTS0102/801190321/1127)

I wanted to post this because some may not know about the community service that Artest has done here. Granted it was court ordered but he never complained. Also has appologized a few times for the brawl that I thought was very sincere.

I don't think he deserves to get booed anymore. Some may point to his antics with the crowd. I was at that game and he was just responding to the fans trying to have fun with the situation of being booed.

Most people are decent when you meet them in person, but get people into a group, and you can expect all sorts of boorish behavior.

I mean, these are the same people who booed Darko after he led us to a championship!

Artest seems to have grown up. He even volunteered to speak at a Detroit library the day before the game on his own. This was not part of his community service plea deal.

He knows that Joe won't trade for him because of the character issue. He's trying to make it seem like he's a good guy so that he can get on the team and try to pick up a ring. Not a bad strategy.

So what does he do? Feed the homeless ?