Artest, even though he used the celebration as cover, was still called for a technical foul.
But Artest didn't care, according to NBA rules, technical fouls in the regular season are not carried into the playoffs, so he didn't have to worry about being suspended in the playoffs due to excessive technical fouls in the regular season.
As he watched James pass by him, Artest smiled: "Remember kid, don't joke around with the defending champions!"
In the subsequent game, LeBron James did not play again, and the Cleveland Cavaliers lost the final playoff spot battle.
At this point, the biggest suspense of the 03-04 regular season was finally revealed.
The Cleveland Cavaliers ended the season with ninth place in the East, missing the playoffs.
Two hours later, a reporter revealed online that LeBron James had a rib fracture and needed to rest for a while.
In the end, the GOAT's bones broke, but it's not certain whose bones they were.
