Los Angeles Lakers’ Ron Artest receives J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award
NBA: It seems like luck is riding on the side of the Los Angeles Lakers these days. On Tuesday night, Ronald William “Ron” Artest, the Lakers small forward, was bestowed
upon with one of the most prestigious awards in NBA, the “J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award” for 2010-11. Ron was at the top of the list to receive the honour that is conferred to an NBA player or coach who has been an excellent support to the community.
Artest was thankful to the league for seeing what he had been doing outside basketball and expressed his gratitude when he said, "I'm definitely grateful for the
award. It's something that's not on people's minds as far as me getting a citizenship award, but it was something that I wanted and I'm definitely happy I got it."
The player, who started his pro-career with the Chicago Bulls and joined the Lakers in 1999, has engaged himself in social activities to help spread awareness on
mental health issues. He passionately worked for communities and also did fund-raising for the same cause. Not only that, but he also took the matter in front of Congress to get their support for the Mental Health in Schools Act. As a testament of his desire
to give in everything for the noble cause, the player even sold off his 2010 Championship Ring, which helped him contribute a sum of $650,000 in different charitable programs.
His non-stop efforts for the betterment of the community made him the most deserved candidate to receive the award. President of Professional Basketball Writers Association
Doug Smith remarked on Artest’s good nature, saying, "Ron has such a passion for the issue, and has demonstrated such leadership he was a perfect choice for such a prestigious award. His work embodies the kind of dedication to important causes that NBA players
have become known for."
Artest was selected out of four players who were nominated for the award. The decision was in the hands of PBWA that includes 150 NBA writers from internet, sports
agencies and newspapers. The panel had to choose a player or a coach who would be awarded the title. Apart from Artest, there were three other players who were in the race for the award this year. Those players included Portland Trail Blazers’ Marcus Camby,
Orlando Magic’s Dwight Howard and Chicago Bulls’ Kyle Korver.
Artest is the second Lakers player to receive an NBA award within a span of one week. The first one was Lamar Odom, who was bestowed with Sixth Man of the Year award,
making him the first Laker ever to be given the title.
The Citizenship Award dates back to 1974 when the inaugural award was given to Wes Unseld of Washington Bullets. Samuel Dalembert of the Philadelphia 76ers was given
the award last year (2009-2010).
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