Olympic snub irks Artest

http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/sports/articles/0211sunsside0211.ht
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"How do you say his name? Collangelina?" Artest said, referring to
national
team Managing Director Jerry Colangelo. "I think (he thinks) I'm too hood
for the Olympics. I'm too ghetto for the Olympics."

Artest is well aware of his reputation. He's the NBA's official bad boy.
The
guy who once asked for time off to promote a rap CD. The guy who charged
into the stands in Detroit. The sour apple who asked to be traded from the
Pacers.

The reputation follows him wherever he goes, and he seems fine with that.

"The media do what they do, and I do what I do," he said, later adding, "I
am who I am."

"All I know is all the stars in the NBA, they want to play with me,"
Artest
said. "The Kobe Bryants, the Kevin Garnetts, the Carmelo Anthonys, they
all
want to play with me, so why can't I play in the Olympics? I would like
to,
but they just want to hold me back."