National Basketball Association

Report: Lakers' Artest breaks up fight

Published Jun. 1, 2011 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Lakers forward Ron Artest played the role of peacemaker after a fight between a man and a woman broke out on Los Angeles' famed Hollywood Blvd., TMZ.com reported Wednesday.

Artest, who has a checkered past with the NBA regarding on-court incidents, was reportedly leaving an LA nightclub over the weekend when he happened upon the scuffle.

Video showed the 6-foot-7 Lakers' forward stepping in to help separate the unnamed pair before getting into his waiting SUV and leaving the scene.

"Unfortunately there was a situation at the club and some people had too much to drink, and got unruly and aggressive," Artest told the entertainment news website. "I tried to diffuse the situation. Some people just don't think clearly when they've had too much to drink -- it's an unfortunate reality."

Artest, who has attributed counseling as having a positive impact in his life in recent years, still holds the record for the harshest penalty in NBA history. The 31-year-old NBA star served an 86-game suspension, including the playoffs, during the 2004-05 season for sparking a brawl when he went after a fan in Detroit.

The 12-year veteran also spent 10 days in jail in 2007 on charges of domestic abuse, which led to a seven-game suspension at the start of the 2007-08 season.

Artest, who has played for five different teams since the Bulls drafted him in the first round of the 1999 draft, won his first NBA championship with the Lakers in 2010.

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