When he left Sacramento and arrived in Houston, he was greeted by a boisterous welcome rally, filled with cheering fans and proclamations of success to come.

For Artest, that moment on stage was a sign of how far his reputation has come and could go.

"It just showed what type of city Houston is," Artest said after the midday rally. "It just showed me I'm definitely going to be in an arena that's full of energy, full of excitement. Having a chance to have those fans on my side, instead of against me, is going to help me play better.

"It was special. It's only August. When we start winning a whole bunch of games, I can imagine how it's going to be."

Artest was so enthused with the welcome, he has moved to Houston and cut the shape of the Rockets' "R" insignia into his hair.

"I just want to reassure all the fans in Houston that I am working hard this summer," he said. "I'm looking forward to playing with Shane and Scola and Brent and two future Hall of Famers. I'm really looking forward to playing for the organization and giving 110 percent every single game, night in night out, practice and games."

The Rockets were so enthused that even away from the rally and its boisterous tone, they spoke of championships.

"We've been targeting Ron for a long time, myself going back to the Boston days," Rockets general manager Daryl Morey said. "It's come together at the perfect time, it seems, for Ron, where he's at in his career, where Tracy (McGrady) is at, where Yao (Ming) is at. Everyone is in their prime. Everyone is ready to move forward and work toward that third championship for Houston."

Artest was ready to buy into that way of thinking.

In that regard, he was even willing to go back to his days in Indianapolis, describing it as an opportunity wasted and returned to him.

"Before this opportunity, the best team I was on was the Indiana team," Artest said. "That was a big opportunity. We probably could have won two championships in a row. I always pray at night to ask God to give me another shot at giving me a championship. I don't care if it comes now or in the 20th year of my career.

"It came sooner than later."

With that chance, he felt as if his career had come back around to where it had been before it has been so sidetracked. His reputation seemed to be changing nearly as dramatically.