Artest Is Still the Choice for One Fan

A fan wearing a Ron Artest jersey at Staples Center on Dec. 1, when the Indiana Pacers played the Clippers, was “spilling beer, yelling at Clipper fans and carrying on like a lunatic,” reported Bill Simmons of ESPN the Magazine.

Speculating on what message the fan was trying to send, Simmons offered these options:

“A. He was my favorite player, and I’m standing by him.

“B. I’m a Pacer fan, and this was the only jersey I had.

“C. I support anyone who charges into the stands and attacks innocent fans.

“D. Much like Ron, I’m completely insane -- please be afraid of me.” Concluded Simmons: “I don’t know the answer. If pressed, I’d guess D.”

Trivia time: On this date in 1968, shortly after becoming the Dodgers’ general manager, what player did Al Campanis trade to the Kansas City Royals?

Next best thing: Rodney Dangerfield once said, “I went to a fight and a hockey game broke out.” Roy Englebrecht of Golden Boy Promotions isn’t promising a hockey game, but anyone showing up in a King jersey to see the fights on Thursday night’s HBO Latino card at Olympic Auditorium will get a $35 or a $20 seat for $10.

Zips get zapped: The Akron Zips have never been to a bowl game but were eligible after finishing 6-5. All they needed to earn a spot in the Hawaii Bowl on Dec. 24 was for Louisville to beat Tulane the afternoon of Dec. 4, and Michigan State to beat Hawaii that night.

Louisville did its part, pounding Tulane, 55-7. But Hawaii rallied to beat Michigan State, 41-38, and get Akron’s spot in the Hawaii Bowl.

Akron got zip.

Where the money is: According to Associated Press’ Doug Ferguson, Fred Couples played 16 times on the PGA Tour and won $1,396,109, and he played four times in the silly season and won $1,105,000.

Lost opportunities: Former Philadelphia Eagle coach Buddy Ryan released receiver Cris Carter before the 1990 season because of his drug problems. Carter, who went on to star in Minnesota and is now a co-host on HBO’s “Inside the NFL,” taped an interview with Ryan that will be aired tonight.

Said Carter: “I don’t think I have ever had the opportunity to tell you that I am sorry that I let you down and I wish that the results I had in Minnesota might have been more for your benefit.”

Ryan: “I do too.”

Looking back: On this date in 1984, Wayne Gretzky had five goals and an assist to lead the Edmonton Oilers to an 8-2 victory over the St. Louis Blues.

Trivia answer: His son Jimmy.

And finally: Dennis Rodman requested his release from the ABA’s Orange County Crush on Monday because of their problems in finding a permanent home court. (He’ll play two games for the Long Beach Jam instead.) According to Rodman’s agent, Darren Prince: “Dennis is all about the fans and getting fan support, and being that they had no venue to play in, he felt he needed to sign with another team.”

*

Larry Stewart can be reached at larry.stewart@latimes.com.