The latest installment from the “You Can’t Make This Up” file comes from newly minted Los Angeles Lakers Forward, Ron Artest who curiously admitted he used to sneak sips of Hennessey during NBA games when he was playing with the Chicago Bulls.

“I used to drink Hennessy … at halftime,” Artest says in the Dec. 7 issue of Sporting News. “I (kept it) in my locker. I’d just walk to the liquor store (near the stadium) and get it.”

Artest played 2 ½ years for the Chicago Bulls after being drafted there with the 16th pick of the 1999 NBA draft prior to being traded to the Pacers where he got into the infamous brawl after being called for a foul on Ben Wallace.

“I see Ben, I’m on my guard now,” Artest told the Sporting News. “I’m always in the mood to fight him. … I’ll get suspended 10 games, 15 games (because) I’ll just fight him right there. It won’t go into the stands.”

Seriously…what’s wrong with this dude.  I almost went to St. Johns University but now I think I made the right decision because if Ron went there…clearly nothing was being taught. That’s some real hood ish right there.  He sounds like that dude on the block.  “If I see pookie, its on!  I’m settin it on him off top!”  

What I find interesting is that Artest would “walk” to the liquor store near the stadium in Chicago and no one thought it weird that he was copping fifths of Henny hours before tip off?  In this TMZ world we live in, granted it was a few years ago, you think someone would have sold that story by now.  Naturally some investigative reporter has been hard at work interviewing every liquor store clerk within a 5 mile radius of the United Center to get their scoop.

I don’t know its all too silly for me.  Why admit it?  What does he have to gain by it?  This is a guy whose already lost mad dough and half a season for jumping into the stands and taking swings at fans.  As one of the resident bad boys of the league, if you got away with it, why bring it up.  I’m sure the NBA will launch an investigation just for kicks.