This break from the hardwood is a relief, as I am a chicken and my head has been removed, and we have plenty of talk about based on the events of the weekend. While Monday was spent basking in the glow of the "Shock & Hawes" game, it's time to discuss Ron Artest. More directly, it is time to discuss the lack of Ron Artest in the fourth quarter Sunday.

To review:

From the cheap seats, we can look at the benching in one of two ways.

I bet the benching involved some combination of both — clearly, Francisco Garcia's shooting opened the floor for Kevin Martin (in theory) and Beno Udrih (in practice); he also showed good chemistry with Hawes and played terrific defense. But one other factor plays into our theory…When Garcia fouled out, John Salmons — not Artest — came in the game.

Salmons had been no great shakes on either end. We knew Kobe Bryant'd have the ball; Artest seems more apt to deal with such a scenario (in theory). But Theus called on Salmons.

I'll introduce a third theory, one based in nothing more than theory: Theus was pissed about Artest's absence from the Clippers and Wolves games, pissed the Kings lost both, and wanted to put Ron in his place.

You know what? It doesn't matter which theory is the right one. All show good judgment from Theus. Whether he made the decision based on basketball or based on the team dynamic, it was the right decision. Vastly encouraging.

(Also encouraging: The decision to put Brad Miller back in the game for the last offensive possession. Miller might be the most important King on offense, in terms of improving everyone else. And getting the ball to Udrih in the right place certainly helped. Two wins for Theus!)