Hopefully Ron Artest has a respected career in music, because the talented yet volatile Indiana Pacers All-Star clearly doesn’t care about his reputation in the NBA.

Last week, Artest asked Pacers coach Rick Carlisle for a month-long break from the team due to a hectic schedule – one which has included a promotional tour for his debut rap album.

Artest ended up missing only two games due to team suspension, yet the whole debacle was disgusting and appalling.

Pacers president Donnie Walsh exclaimed Artest’s request to leave the team was not about music, but because the New York native was out of shape and weighed a robust 260 pounds when he reported to training camp.

It seems to me that an easy way to get out of shape and gain weight is to sit in a recording studio all summer.

There is nothing wrong with Artest pursuing a career in music, as long as it doesn’t interfere with his responsibilities to his teammates and his organization.

He is under contract this year from the Pacers and is making over $6 million. His professional priorities should start and end with trying to improve his play and help the team’s chances to win the NBA championship.

There are plenty of people in this country who are making far less money than Artest that deserve a break from work a whole lot more than he does.

He must have serious mental problems if he is worrying about financial issues outside of basketball when he is making enough money from the game to support at least the next three generations of Artests.

The selfish forward is also letting his teammates down. Granted, it is only the first month of the season, but what is giving Pacer players like Jermaine O’Neal and Eddie Gill the confidence that Artest will show up in May when it really counts?

If the Pacers are locked down in a tight playoff series, I’m sure Artest will ask for Games 6 and 7 off because they conflict with tour dates.

When are athletes going to learn that they should probably stay out of the music industry?

Shaq, Allen Iverson, Chris Webber and Deion Sanders all made unforgettable rap albums that were critical and commercial successes. Oh, wait.

Athletes shouldn’t test the rap waters just like musicians shouldn’t try to play sports.

The last time I checked, Percy Miller, aka Master P, was an overweight small forward who was cut from the CBA.

There is a reason why Skee-lo never made a run at the NBA despite his wishes to be a little bit taller and a baller.

He was clearly more skilled at writing lyrics then shooting a basketball.

And I have no doubt in my mind that Ron Artest is a more talented basketball player than a rapper.

The former first-round draft pick by the Bulls is the reigning NBA Defensive Player of the Year and is widely regarded as the best perimeter defender in the league.

This year, Artest is averaging a career high 24 points per game, and he looks poised to take his game to another level.

If he can somehow tighten the screws in his head and not act so selfishly, he could be headed to the Basketball Hall of Fame one day.

Maybe he will be the musical guest at the induction ceremony.

Jacob Bressler is a senior in communications. He can be reached at [email protected].