I called Ron Artest shortly after two this afternoon, for the second time. I wanted to talk about dong shots, and a story we're running Monday about a girl with whom he had a sexy-texting relationship. She wrote for us about the bizarre comedy of texting with Ron Artest. She didn't ask us for money, nor did she ask Ron for pictures of his dick. But hey, we wanted to hear his side of the story.
He picked up, and, after I identified myself, he denied that Ron Artest was speaking, even though I recognized his voice from the day before.
But of course Ron Artest was speaking, as evidenced by his ensuing Tweeting this afternoon:
Chic got media threaten me!! Media trying to get paid and her!! Whatever!!!
Girl said she got pics of me and going to media!! I could care less!! No money for you!! Stop having the media call my phone!!
Scare Tatics don't work with Ron
Keep calling my phone girl! Tell media whatever!! You will not get one dime! Not even a penny!!
To clarify, we didn't pay for the story, or the pictures, which are awfully fleshy. Again, no one ever asked Ron for any money, save for some romantic overtures—long before Deadspin got involved—about a very nice dinner in OKC.
We just wanted to talk to him about the phenomenon of athletes picking up girls on Twitter, and developing cellphone relationships. But he told us on Thursday that it couldn't possibly have been the case with him.
Of course, it was the case with him, and you'll hear more about that on Monday. To wit:
Stay tuned.