SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Don't start selling those Ron Artest jerseys in the Houston red just yet.

The small forward is exchanging words with his new teammates even before setting foot in his new locker room.

One day after the Kings and Rockets agreed in principle on a trade that would send Artest to Houston and bring Bobby Jackson, Donte Greene and a first-round pick Sacramento's way, Artest went on the defensive by phone to The Sacramento Bee in response to comments made by Yao Ming. It was a most inauspicious start to this union, one that is no more than a handshake deal at the moment.

Because of the nature of Greene's contact, he cannot be officially traded until Aug. 14. In other words, there's plenty of time for the Rockets to rethink the acquisition of Ron-Ron.

It began when Yao was speaking to the Houston Chronicle in Nanjing, China, where his Team China is playing in the FIBA Diamond Ball Tournament, which leads up to the start of the Olympics on Aug. 10 against Team USA. Yao expressed concerns over team chemistry with Artest and repeatedly referenced the infamous Detroit brawl in 2004 of which Artest was a huge part.

"Hopefully, he's not fighting anymore and going after a guy in the stands," Yao said.

Reached by phone a few hours later, Artest — who had spoken with Rockets shooting guard Tracy McGrady but not Yao since the news of the agreed-upon trade broke — said Yao is merely the latest person to believe "all the propaganda."

"I understand what Yao said, but I'm still ghetto," said Artest, who will earn $7.4 million next season and be a free agent next summer. "That's not going to change. I'm never going to change my culture. Yao has played with a lot of black players, but I don't think he's ever played with a black player that really represents his culture as much as I represent my culture. Once Yao Ming gets to know me, he'll understand what I'm about.

"If you go back to the brawl, that's a culture issue right there. Somebody was disrespecting me, so he's got to understand where I'm coming from. People that know me know that Ron Artest never changed."

Which might not be considered a healthy revelation for the Rockets.

From the time Artest was known to be on the Kings' trading block, numerous sources close to the Rockets consistently cited chemistry as the premier concern of any potential Artest deal. McGrady is known to be the front-and-center star, so much so that some within the organization wondered how he would handle Artest's oft-complex and daunting presence. Then there was the typically understated Yao to consider, the global star who draws an even brighter spotlight than McGrady but whose personality is as passive as they come.

The perceived X-factor would be Rick Adelman, the former Kings coach entering his second season in Houston who has long been known for his ability to masterfully mesh the most difficult of personalities.

Only the Rockets' front office, which has remained publicly mum on the deal, knows if this invokes any sort of fear factor. There are other fears to consider, too, namely the reality that Yao and McGrady and a roster loaded with quality role players just isn't enough.

In the four seasons since Yao and McGrady were united, they have three first-round bowouts in the postseason and a playoff absence in 2006 to show for it. And even as so many surmised the Rockets could have been title contenders last postseason if Yao's season hadn't ended in February with a stress fracture in his left foot, there was the feeling more was needed.

But this, quite possibly, could be more than they were hoping for. Not only did Artest seem to take exception to Yao's brawl-related comments, he expressed a similar desire for a long-term commitment from Houston as he had with the Kings at the outset of their unofficial divorce in early July.

"We've still got to make sure there's still a commitment (from the Rockets)," Artest said. "That's the main thing, is to make sure there's still a commitment. When I speak to the powers-that-be of the Houston Rockets' organization, we're going to find out how much they really want me there. We'll find out. I'm still waiting to find out if this is just a trade or if this is like a long-term commitment-type thing. I haven't spoken to anybody yet. I'm still waiting."

Waiting for a call from Yao, mostly.

"I guess once Yao Ming approves (the deal), I'll be a Houston Rocket," Artest said. "(Yao) probably should've called me first. But at the same time, it's Yao Ming's team . . . Whatever Yao Ming wants me to do, I'll be there. Whatever Tracy McGrady tells me to do, that's how it's going to go down. Ultimately, whatever Rick Adelman tells me to do is exactly what I'm going to do."

One day down in the waiting game. Fifteen to go.