Yao expressed some concern about whether or not Artest would still be fighting and going into the stands. Which isn't that big of a surprise considering that the Chinese calendar says it's still 2004. But Ron Artest wasn't pleased by the comments. So he did what Ron Artest always does, gave the Houston Chronicle a cogent explanation of his position. That, or said that Yao hadn't really played with any black basketball players yet. Okay, the latter. Artest told the Houston Chronicle:
This is Tracy (McGrady) and Yao’s team, you know,” Artest said. “I’m not going to take it personal. I understand what Yao said, but I’m still ghetto. That’s not going to change. I’m never going to change my culture. Yao has played with a lot of black players, but I don’t think he’s ever played with a black player that really represents his culture as much as I represent my culture.
Well, this clears it up. Ron Artest—black cultural spokesperson. Despite Yao's comments Artest seems happy about future [Houston Chronicle]