Ron Artest, whose absence the past two games has left many questioning his injury, finally spoke as if the end he feared is near. Artest said he chose not to play in the past two games partly because the Kings were facing weak opponents and it would make for an opportune time to rest his "sore foot and leg." But when asked about his injury being questioned within the organization and in the media, the renowned defensive player went on the defensive. "After everything I've been through this season, after playing when my daughter was in the hospital, not missing a game -- missing maybe one game -- playing the same day she had surgery, coming back early after elbow surgery when everybody told me I should come back after a month or month and a half, and I came back early to get in the playoffs, I think that shows dedication," Artest said.
