FINISH LINE: Got your back, Tiger

Published 12:01 am Thursday, December 17, 2009

You know you’re in trouble when Ron Artest comes to your aid.

The Lakers forward posted a letter to Tiger Woods on his Web site to encourage the golf superstar because Artest believes media coverage of Woods’ mistakes has been unfair.

“I just really disagree, I guess you call it backlash,” Artest said Wednesday. “Hopefully, he gets everything in order and gets back on track, his personal (life). Then after that I can’t wait to see him play golf again.”

Artest said he was motivated to write the letter after talking with friends because of the negative coverage Woods has received since acknowledging marital infidelity following his Nov. 27 car accident near his Orlando-area home.

In his post, Artest called Woods a perfect role model while sharing some of his own story, including that he fathered a child with another woman after having two with his girlfriend who later became his wife. Artest said in his blog he now has two boys and two girls.

Artest’s blog post called Woods a “perfect role model for me and my sons.”

This from a guy who recently admitted to getting drunk during games while with Chicago by buying alcohol at a liquor store down the street.