It’s a common American practice to consume an alcoholic beverage before a sporting event or at halftime.

But not for the athletes participating in those games.

Unless you’re Ron Artest, apparently.

The Lakers forward admitted earlier this week that he used to drink before games and at halftime while he was a member of the Chicago Bulls. He said he used to walk to the liquor store and drink Hennessy at halftime that was kept in his locker.

Artest attempted to clarify his comments on a Chicago radio station Thursday by saying he was trying to explain that he did not handle the pressures of the NBA well as a young player, but that explanation simply doesn’t cut it.

There really isn’t anything Artest can say to make this better. It’s just irresponsible and makes the Bulls organization look stupid for paying him millions of dollars to be more concerned with booze than contributing on the floor.

One would be completely naïve to think that partying doesn’t happen all the time in the NBA — or in any professional athletics — but at least save it for after the game.

Needless to say, this certainly won’t help Artest’s less-than-stellar reputation.