The NBA fined Kings forward Bonzi Wells $5,000 for punching the ball into the locker room tunnel during the team's loss to the Warriors, the Associated Press is reporting.

Wells was angered by a foul called against him, bounced the ball high into the air and then volleyed the bounce into the tunnel leading to the Kings' locker room.

Though the ball was easily retrieved, referee Joey Crawford automatically ejected Wells for putting the ball in the stands. Wells stayed on the court for several moments, pleading for an explanation amid heavy boos, before throwing his headband into the stands as he left.

The Associated Press is reporting that John Green, the man accused of sparking the brawl in the Pacers-Pistons game in November 2004, was convicted of assault Monday for punching Ron Artest.  

He faces up to 93 days in jail and a $500 fine. Sentencing was scheduled for May 1.

The 41-year-old contractor chewed gum and showed no emotion as the verdicts were read. Green and his attorney, Shawn Patrick Smith, said afterward that they would appeal on grounds that Artest was not present for the trial.

"[That] he didn't show up is a violation of my Sixth Amendment constitutional right to have him here," Green said of Artest, traded by Indiana to the Sacramento Kings on Jan. 25.

"The judge wouldn't force [prosecutors] to bring him here," said Smith, who did not call any witnesses.

Assistant Prosecutor John Pietrofesa said Artest's testimony wasn't needed.

"Mr. Artest's presence was going to do nothing but add a travel bill for Oakland County," he said.

Guard Bonzi Wells was ejected from the Sacramento Kings' game against Golden State on Sunday night for punching the ball into the locker-room tunnel in frustration.

Wells, making just his third start since Dec. 19, was angered by a foul called against him with 3:51 left in the first quarter. He bounced the ball high into the air, then volleyed the bounce into the tunnel leading to the Kings' locker room.

Bonzi Wells has made clear his fondness for Sacramento, Phillips said his client will stay in the city only if a Kings contract offer makes him just as happy. Wells is making $8 million this season.

"As long as the Kings are willing to step forward and give him what I think Bonzi is worth, then we're going to look at Sacramento," Phillips said. "I know Bonzi enjoys Sacramento immensely. He always says it reminds him of (his hometown of) Muncie (Ind.). ... Those will be factors, but money is going to be an important factor as well."

Ron Artest scored 18 points, but shot 6-for-22 from the field, including 2-for-14 in the second half in the Sacramento Kings' 98-93 loss to Indiana on Friday night.

"I missed a lot of layups," he said. "I was right there at the bucket and I missed layups. So that was pretty much it. I missed a ton of layups, a ton of layups."

Artest was booed during pregame introductions and every time he touched the ball.

"I just told Ron he shouldn't feel bad," Jackson said. "They boo me, and I play here. I don't think it bothered him. If they'll boo me, they'll boo anybody."

As Ron Artest prepares to face his old team for the first time, the Associated Press reports that he won't allow a wave of emotion to overwhelm the good thing he's got going back in California.

"It feels like high school again," Artest said. "I had a really good team, and I was a much better leader. When I got in college and the NBA, I became selfish. Now, I'm back to my high school days."

"I'm doing the same things here that I did (in Indiana), with a few exceptions. Over here, it's just a little bit better for me. It's a good situation, because it easily could have went against me. I could have been in a place where I wasn't happy."

After playing a supporting role in Indiana to Jermaine O'Neal and Reggie Miller, Artest has evolved into the clear floor leader for the Kings, who welcomed his hard-charging leadership. Mike Bibby, Brad Miller, Bonzi Wells and Shareef Abdur-Rahim all are veteran players who seem more comfortable in supporting roles, and Artest has been burning for a chance to be the man.

"It's the first time in a long time that I've been complimented on my leadership skills," Artest said. "Partly it was my fault that I hadn't been complimented in the past. Maybe some people just weren't recognizing."

Artest still speaks fondly of his days in Indiana, recalling how the fans supported him even through suspensions, ejections and his odd request for time off to work on his music label.

"I made myself into a franchise player there, but I kind of sneaked up on them," Artest said.

The Boston Celtics? Paul Pierce and the Sacramento Kings? Mike Bibby today were named the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for games played Monday, March 6 through Sunday, March 12.

Behind Pierce?s averages of 30.5 points on .521 shooting, 6.5 assists and 5.3 rebounds, the Celtics went 3-1. In a 104-101 win over Atlantic Division foe Philadelphia on March 8, Pierce recorded his first triple-double of the season with 31 points, including 12 in the fourth quarter, 12 rebounds and 10 assists. Pierce scored 30 or more points in three games this week and has done so in 14 of his last 16 contests.

Bibby averaged 24.0 points, 6.3 assists, 4.3 rebounds and shot .456 from the field, .455 from three-point range and .960 from the free throw line to lead the Kings to a 4-0 week. Posting a 6.25 assist-to-turnover ratio, Bibby helped the Kings to a four-game win streak and extended their home streak to 12 consecutive wins, the longest since the 2002-03 squad won 13 straight.