Ron Artest Says NBA Will Learn From NFL Lockout, Won’t Miss Any Games Next Season

Leave it to Ron Artest (yes, that Ron Artest) to be the voice of reason in a budding battle between two rivals.

Artest told ESPN.com on Sunday night that he doesn't expect the NBA to miss any games next season, even as a labor war between NBA commissioner David Stern and NBA Players Association director Billy Hunter is on the horizon.

"I don't think there's going to be a long lockout," Artest told ESPN. "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  Mr. Stern and Mr. 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."

The same ESPN story reports that Artest is also working on a second career as a comedian. So he's got that going for him, too.