Ron Artest made his return to Houston on Wednesday evening.

?I've been blessed to get paid to play basketball,? Artest said. ?But 1 percent tells me I wish I could have been somewhere else so I could have exercised my Bird rights. It hurt me a lot, but I still managed to get a good contract ? maybe $20 million off ? but God is good, and he's still taking care of my family, so everything is OK.?

Artest signed a $33 million deal with the Lakers after the Rockets failed to offer him a contract.

?Business-wise, there were things I wish I would have known (that would have) prevented some situations. Personally, I'm not upset. I'm still in the NBA.?

Artest is happy with his decision to play for the defending champion Lakers, but it wasn't his first choice.

?It was all up to (Rockets management),? Artest said. ?I don't know. It was the first option, but once my agent told me they didn't want me, I said let's go to L.A., Hollywood.?