Ron Artest drank cognac during halftime of Chicago Bulls games, the Lakers forward tells the Sporting News.

According to Artest, “I used to drink Hennessy … at halftime. I (kept it) in my locker. I’d just walk to the liquor store (near the stadium) and get it.”

A former teammate who commented anonymously thinks Artest is just telling tales.

“That’s just Ron being Ron,” one former teammate said in a story posted on the Tribune’s Web site.

The full interview appears in the Dec. 7 issue of The Sporting News.

Artest even saved room for some commentary on NBA referee Joey Crawford, who officiated during two games of the 2009 Western Conference semifinals.

“Joey Crawford basically said, ‘Who cares about the Houston Rockets? Kobe Bryant is on the floor.’”

Aside from hitting the sauce during games, Artest has aspiration of being a boxer.

“I started training two years ago,” he says. “In four years, I’m going to try to have my first fight.”

Ron Artest Says He Drank Hennessy During Games