Dec. 27, 2005

While the Pacers play, Ron Artest sits.

In a way, this story is very sad. Here's a talented young man and Indiana tried to reach him and tell him about being a team player. There wasn't any doubt that financially he had the world in front of him.

Artest needed to have that self-motivation, a strong sense of pride. Maybe he needed to receive the same message that Latrell Sprewell got when he turned down millions of dollars and now sits and waits for the phone to ring. Now if he signs, it will be at a bargain basement price.

Look at what happened to Terrell Owens. I don't care what anyone says, he will never make back the money he's lost from this season's debacle. Think about the potential dollars he would have had if he just was a team player.

I think people are getting fed up with these situations. I don't blame Larry Bird for saying he felt betrayed, and I don't blame Pacers president and CEO Donnie Walsh for sitting Artest.

It's about time that these guys learn they are not bigger than the game. Sports go on without an Owens or an Artest. They have to understand that through their entire life they have been catered to because of their athletic prowess.

It's time to grow up and stop acting like second graders. They aren't Tom, Dick and Sally sitting in a circle any more, pouting like little kids.

Somebody will pick up Artest and hopefully he will learn his lesson. Only time will tell.

Dick Vitale coached the Pistons and the University of Detroit before broadcasting ESPN's first college basketball game in 1979. Send a question for Vitale for possible use on ESPNEWS.