Ron Artest anticipates full season

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LOS ANGELES -- Lakers forward Ron Artest doesn't believe the NBA labor situation will result in an NFL-style lockout and expects to play an 82-game regular season beginning in October.

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"I don't think there's going to be a long lockout," Artest said Sunday night. "I don't think we're going to miss any games. I think there's going to be some negotiations but I see us playing in October. I think [NBA commissioner] Mr. [David] Stern and [NBA Players Association director] Mr. [Billy] Hunter will resolve it. I think they're going to learn from the NFL lockout. America isn't America without sports. You wouldn't want to be the guy who messed up sports."

If there is a lockout, however, Artest is working on a second career as a comedian. This summer, Artest will host the "Ron Artest Ultimate Comedy Tour," which currently has four shows booked at the Improv in Hollywood July 8-9 and four more shows at Caroline's on Broadway in New York July 15-16.

Arash Markazi is a columnist and reporter for ESPNLosAngeles.com.

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Arash Markazi

ESPNLosAngeles.com

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• Former columnist and writer after five years with Sports Illustrated
• Markazi has also written for Slam, King, Vibe and Playboy
• On board of directors for Jim Murray Memorial Foundation.