Inside Ron Artest's head may be a scary place

ESPN's Rick Reilly spent a day tooling around L.A. in Ron Artest's Cadillac Escalade, talking about the Lakers, therapy, and a bunch of other things. It's a fun read, though Reilly hasn't been gone from L.A. long enough to get away with saying that Artest "takes a right off Barrington on to Bundy," as if those streets cross. This is the interview where Artest admits he doesn't understand the Lakers' triangle offense, and talks about wanting to box and play in the NFL. Excerpt:

4:07 p.m. -- After a quick nap and three meetings at his house -- for his BALL'N shoes, his ring raffle and his Beijing soul singer, Shin Shin -- Ron Ron is having his usual pregame meal. A can of beans. "Beans are nature's steroids!" he says.

But don't they, uh, backfire on you during the game?

"Not on me they don't. Other people, yeah. But I always blame it on the refs."

5:05 p.m. -- Ron Ron is 35 minutes late leaving for the 7:30 game at Staples Center. He has to be there by 6 p.m., and it's rush hour. Unlike Kobe, he does not have access to a helicopter. He's further delayed when he sees his son Ron playing basketball in his socks, which are already getting holes.

"Where your shoes?" he yells.

Of course, he knows where young Ron's shoes are. They're sitting on the porch stoop in plain view.

Ron Jr. shrugs.

"Turn around," Artest yells.

Ron Jr. turns around. Artest cuffs his him hard on the back of his head. Thwack. But Ron Jr. doesn't cry.

"Now go inside and help your mom."

As we're pulling away, we can see Ron Jr. in the backyard playing with the two dogs. In his stocking feet.

Like father, like son.

Artest lives in a "Brentwood mansion," according to Reilly.

Related: Jordan Farmar still a backup in New Jersey.

Photo: Michael Desmond / ABC