Ron Artest
Encyclopedia
Metta World Peace is an American
professional basketball
player and rapper who is currently with the Los Angeles Lakers
in the NBA
. World Peace gained a reputation as one of the league's premier defenders as he won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award
in 2004. He was a major participant in the Pacers–Pistons brawl and is known for his sometimes eccentric, outspoken behavior.
projects in Queens
, New York
. He has two younger brothers, Isaiah and Daniel. He played high school basketball at La Salle Academy
and college basketball
at St. John's University from 1997–1999. In 1999, he helped the Red Storm to the Elite Eight, losing to Ohio State in a classic game. He gained fame playing in some of New York City's high profile summer basketball tournaments at Nike
Pro City, Hoops in the Sun at Orchard Beach
, Bronx, New York
and Dyckman Park at Washington Heights
, earning himself nicknames such as Tru Warier and The New World Order, a name he received from Randy Cruz (one of the co-founders of the Hoops In The Sun basketball league at Orchard Beach in the Bronx, New York).
As a teenager, he was teamed with Elton Brand
of the Philadelphia 76ers
and current teammate Lamar Odom
of the Los Angeles Lakers
on the same AAU
team.
Growing up in a rough neighborhood, he witnessed the death of a fellow player on a basketball court. "It was so competitive, they broke a leg from a table and they threw it, it went right through his heart and he died right on the court. So I'm accustomed to playing basketball really rough." The player Artest was speaking of was 19-year-old Lloyd Newton, who was stabbed in the back with a broken-off table leg during an altercation at a 1991 YMCA
-sanctioned basketball tournament.
with the 16th pick of the 1999 NBA Draft
.
Artest played a total of 175 games for the Bulls over 2-1/2 years, the bulk as a starter, during which time he averaged about 12.5 points and just over 4 rebounds per game. He was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team in the 1999–2000 season.
Midway through the 2001–02 season, Artest was traded by Chicago to the Indiana Pacers along with Ron Mercer
, Brad Miller
, and Kevin Ollie
, in exchange for Jalen Rose
, Travis Best
, Norman Richardson
, and a 2nd round draft pick.
game in Auburn Hills, Michigan
between Artest's Pacers and the home team Detroit Pistons
.
The brawl began when Artest fouled Pistons center
Ben Wallace
as Wallace was putting up a shot. Wallace, upset at being fouled hard when the game was effectively over (the Pacers led 97–82 with less than 50 seconds to go), responded by shoving Artest, leading to an altercation
near the scorer's table. Artest walked to the sideline and lay down on the scorer's table. Reacting to Wallace throwing something at Artest, Pistons fan John Green threw a cup of Diet Coke at Artest, hitting him. Artest jumped into the front-row seats and confronted a man he incorrectly believed to be responsible, which in turn erupted into a brawl between Pistons fans and several of the Pacers. Artest returned to the basketball court, and punched Pistons fan A.J. Shackleford, who was apparently taunting Artest verbally. This fight resulted in the game being stopped with less than a minute remaining. Artest's teammates Jermaine O'Neal
and Stephen Jackson
were suspended indefinitely the day after the game, along with Wallace.
On November 21, the NBA suspended Artest for the rest of the regular season, plus any playoff games. All told, Artest missed 86 games (73 regular season games plus 13 playoff games), the longest suspension for an on-court incident in NBA history. Eight other players (four Pacers and four Pistons) received suspensions, without pay, which ranged from one to thirty games in length. Each of the players involved were levied fines and ordered to do community service. Several fans were also charged and were banned from attending Pistons games for life. Artest lost approximately $7 million in salary due to the suspension.
said he also felt "betrayed" and "disappointed."
On January 24, 2006, reports from NBA sources confirmed that the Sacramento Kings
had agreed to trade Peja Stojaković
to the Pacers for Artest. However, before the trade could be completed, many press outlets reported that Artest had informed team management that he did not want to go to Sacramento. According to Artest's agent, his original trade request was only made because he was upset when he heard rumors that the Pacers were going to trade him to Sacramento for Stojaković early in the season. While not denying his agent's story, Artest did deny that he had rejected the trade to Sacramento, saying that he would play anywhere; hence, contradicting earlier press accounts stating Artest was holding up the trade. Given conflicting accounts, it is unclear why the trade was delayed, but it was nevertheless completed on January 25 and Artest was officially sent to the Kings for Stojaković.
Though traded midseason to the Kings franchise, Artest quickly found his place on the team by providing some much needed defense. Though many feared his abrasive personality would be a problem, he worked well with his teammates and then-coach Rick Adelman
. Artest wore #93 for his jersey number with the Kings. After acquiring Artest in late January 2006, the team immediately went on a 14–5 run, the team's best run of the season. The Kings broke .500 and landed the eighth spot in the Western Conference. This prompted ESPN
to declare that "Ron Artest has breathed new life in the Sacramento Kings and enhanced their chances of reaching the playoffs for the ninth straight year." Fox Sports
proclaimed, "Artest has Kings back in playoff hunt."
He was suspended for Game 2 of the team's first-round series against the San Antonio Spurs
following a flagrant foul (elbow to the head) on Manu Ginóbili
. The Kings eventually were eliminated from the playoffs in six games.
After the playoffs, Artest offered to donate his entire salary to keep teammate Bonzi Wells
with the team, who became a free agent after the 2005–06 NBA season. He even jokingly threatened to kill Wells if he did not re-sign with the Kings. Wells was later picked up by the Houston Rockets
and then traded to the New Orleans Hornets for former Sacramento Kings
player Bobby Jackson. Artest also offered to donate his salary to retain the services of head coach Rick Adelman
, whose contract expired after the same season. Adelman and the Kings did not agree on a contract extension so the two parted ways.
On July 29, 2008, it was reported that Artest was to be traded to the Houston Rockets
along with Patrick Ewing, Jr.
and Sean Singletary
for Bobby Jackson, recently drafted forward Donté Greene
, a 2009 first-round draft
pick, and cash considerations. The deal was made official on August 14, due to Greene's rookie contract signing on July 14. In response to the trade, Yao Ming
was generally positive, but jokingly said that "hopefully he's not fighting anymore and going after a guy in the stands." In response, Artest said, "This is Tracy (McGrady) and Yao's team, you know. I'm not going to take it personal. I understand what Yao said, but I'm still ghetto. 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."
Artest and Yao later exchanged extensive phone calls. Artest also said, "Whatever Adelman needs me to do, whether that's come off the bench, sixth, seventh man, start, I don't even care. Whatever he needs me to do, I'm 100 percent sure it's going to work out."
On October 30, 2008, Artest received his first technical as a Houston Rocket, as he raced towards a group of Dallas Mavericks
players and then quickly went to Yao Ming
who bumped Josh Howard
after play stopped. Artest was trying to pull Ming away from the play and to the foul line, but contact was made with Maverick players. The TNT broadcast crew felt this technical was not warranted, and was based upon Artest's prior reputation as a feisty player in the league. In the playoffs
, Artest helped the Rockets advance past the first round for the first time in 11 seasons. In Game 2 of the second round against the Los Angeles Lakers
, Artest, who was battling for rebounding position with Kobe Bryant
, was elbowed in the neck by Bryant, which was later ruled to be a Type 1 flagrant foul
. After being called for an offensive foul, Artest was indignant and proceeded to antagonize Bryant after the play, which eventually led to an ejection
by Joe Crawford
. In Game 3, Artest was again ejected in the fourth quarter after a hard foul on Pau Gasol
, who was attempting to dunk on a fast-break. It was determined the next day that the foul was not serious enough to warrant an ejection, and the flagrant foul was downgraded.
signed Artest to a five-year deal worth about $33 million. Artest chose the number 37 jersey, which he said was in honor of Michael Jackson
. Jackson's Thriller
album was at No. 1 on the charts for 37 straight weeks.
In Game 5 of the 2010 Western Conference Finals
, Artest hit a game-winning shot at the buzzer after grabbing a last second offensive rebound. He scored 25 points against the Phoenix Suns in Game 6 and went to the NBA Finals
for the first time in his career. In the finals, the Lakers defeated the Boston Celtics, four games to three. Artest scored 20 points in the clincher and sank the team's last field goal – a three-pointer late in the fourth quarter – to virtually seal the victory. Afterwards, Lakers head coach Phil Jackson
called Artest the most valuable player of Game 7 against the Celtics. He won his first championship ring with the Lakers.
For the 2010–2011 season, Artest switched back to number 15, his college number at St. John’s and the first number he wore in his NBA career.
On April 26, 2011, Artest won the NBA's J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award
.
.
On December 18, 2010, an art show honoring Artest was held in Toronto, Canada. Entitled Lovable Badass, the show featured work by 30 Canadian and American artists, illustrators, painters and sculptors inspired by the athlete. Artest made a surprise appearance at the exhibition's opening night, commenting that “(the show) was definitely special. It was unexpected. Overwhelming.”
Artest was part of the line-up for the thirteenth season
of the reality show Dancing with the Stars.
entitled "Have the balls to spay or neuter your dog." He has become involved in advocacy relating to mental health
issues. In December 2010, he announced that he would donate some or all of his salary for the 2011–2012 NBA season toward mental health awareness charities. Artest also auctioned off his 2009-10 championship ring and donated the proceeds to various mental health charities nationwide.
| style="text-align:left;"| 1999–00
| style="text-align:left;"| Chicago
| 72 || 63 || 31.1 || .407 || .314 || .674 || 4.3 || 2.8 || 1.6 || .5 || 12.0
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2000–01
| style="text-align:left;"| Chicago
| 76 || 74 || 31.1 || .401 || .291 || .750 || 3.9 || 3.0 || 2.0 || .6 || 11.9
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2001–02
| style="text-align:left;"| Chicago
| 27 || 26 || 30.5 || .433 || .396 || .628 || 4.9 || 2.9 || 2.8 || .9 || 15.6
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2001–02
| style="text-align:left;"| Indiana
| 28 || 24 || 29.3 || .411 || .215 || .733 || 5.0 || 1.8 || 2.4 || .6 || 10.9
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2002–03
| style="text-align:left;"| Indiana
| 69 || 67 || 33.6 || .428 || .336 || .736 || 5.2 || 2.9 || 2.3 || .7 || 15.5
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2003–04
| style="text-align:left;"| Indiana
| 73 || 71 || 37.2 || .421 || .310 || .733 || 5.3 || 3.7 || 2.1 || .7 || 18.3
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2004–05
| style="text-align:left;"| Indiana
| 7 || 7 || 41.6 || .496 || .412 || .922 || 6.4 || 3.1 || 1.7 || .9 || 24.6
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2005–06
| style="text-align:left;"| Indiana
| 16 || 16 || 37.7 || .460 || .333 || .612 || 4.9 || 2.2 || 2.6 || .7 || 19.4
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2005–06
| style="text-align:left;"| Sacramento
| 40 || 40 || 40.1 || .383 || .302 || .717 || 5.2 || 4.2 || 2.0 || .8 || 16.9
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2006–07
| style="text-align:left;"| Sacramento
| 70 || 65 || 37.7 || .440 || .358 || .740 || 6.5 || 3.4 || 2.1 || .6 || 18.8
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2007–08
| style="text-align:left;"| Sacramento
| 57 || 54 || 38.1 || .453 || .380 || .719 || 5.8 || 3.5 || 2.3 || .7 || 20.5
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2008–09
| style="text-align:left;"| Houston
| 69 || 55 || 35.5 || .401 || .399 || .748 || 5.2 || 3.3 || 1.5 || .3 || 17.1
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2009–10
| style="text-align:left;"| L.A. Lakers
| 77 || 77 || 33.8 || .414 || .355 || .688 || 4.3 || 3.0 || 1.4 || .3 || 11.0
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2010–11
| style="text-align:left;"| L.A. Lakers
| 82 || 82 || 29.4 || .397 || .356 || .676 || 3.3 || 2.1 || 1.5 || .4 || 8.5
|-class="sortbottom"
| style="text-align:left;"| Career
| style="text-align:left;"|
| 763 || 721 || 34.1 || .419 || .345 || .719 || 4.8 || 3.0 || 1.9 || .6 || 14.8
|-class="sortbottom"
| style="text-align:left;"| All-Star
| style="text-align:left;"|
| 1 || 0 || 17.0 || .600 || .000 || .500 || 3.0 || 3.0 || 1.0 || .0 || 7.0
| style="text-align:left;"| 2002
| style="text-align:left;"| Indiana
| 5 || 5 || 33.4 || .407 || .462 || .692 || 6.0 || 3.2 || 2.6 || .6 || 11.8
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2003
| style="text-align:left;"| Indiana
| 6 || 6 || 42.0 || .389 || .387 || .800 || 5.8 || 2.2 || 2.5 || 1.0 || 19.0
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2004
| style="text-align:left;"| Indiana
| 15 || 15 || 38.9 || .378 || .288 || .718 || 6.5 || 3.2 || 1.4 || 1.1 || 18.4
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2006
| style="text-align:left;"| Sacramento
| 5 || 5 || 39.6 || .383 || .333 || .696 || 5.0 || 3.0 || 1.6 || .8 || 17.4
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2009
| style="text-align:left;"| Houston
| 13 || 13 || 37.5 || .394 || .277 || .714 || 4.3 || 4.2 || 1.1 || .2 || 15.6
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2010
| style="text-align:left;"| L.A. Lakers
| 23 || 23 || 36.5 || .398 || .291 || .579 || 4.0 || 2.1 || 1.5 || .5 || 11.2
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2011
| style="text-align:left;"| L.A. Lakers
| 9 || 9 || 31.9 || .443 || .321 || .762 || 4.6 || 2.2 || 1.1 || .8 || 10.6
|-class="sortbottom"
| style="text-align:left;"| Career
| style="text-align:left;"|
| 76 || 76 || 37.0 || .394 || .307 || .710 || 4.9 || 2.8 || 1.5 || .7 || 14.4
cognac
in the locker room at halftime when he was playing for the Chicago Bulls
at the beginning of his NBA career. During his rookie season in Chicago, he was criticized for applying for a job at Circuit City in order to get an employee discount. He once attended a practice with the Indiana Pacers
in a bath robe. He was suspended for two games in the early 2004–05 season by Pacers coach
Rick Carlisle
after he allegedly asked for a month off because he was tired from promoting an R&B album for the group Allure
on his production label. Artest had also been suspended for three games in 2003 for destroying a television camera at Madison Square Garden
, and for four games for a confrontation with Miami Heat
coach Pat Riley
in 2003. He has also been suspended several times for flagrant foul
s. Artest was also involved in the infamous Pacers-Pistons brawl in 2004.
was not getting adequate food. On February 5, officers returned and seized Socks, a female Great Dane
, removing her into protective custody with a local veterinarian. The seizure cited a law that requires animal caretakers to "provide proper sustenance." Artest later sent an email to the Bee, writing "I'm glad to say all problems are solved now, and I'm looking forward to getting my dog back." In March 2007, his dog was released under a foster care agreement after being treated for more than a month. In April 2007, the Placer County District Attorney's Office announced that it would not file charges against Artest for the incident. It also was reported by Placer County Animal Services and by Artest that he agreed to allow Socks to be adopted by a new owner.
On March 5, 2007, Artest was arrested for domestic abuse, and excused from Sacramento Kings indefinitely by GM
Geoff Petrie
. On March 10, Kings announced that Artest would return to the team, while his case was being reviewed by the Placer County District Attorney. On May 3, he was sentenced to 20 days in jail and community service. Artest spent only 10 days in the jail, as the judge stayed 10 days of the sentence, and served the remainder in a work release program. On July 14, 2007, the NBA suspended Artest for seven games at the beginning of the 2007–08 NBA season for his legal problems.
"Changing my name was meant to inspire and bring youth together all around the world," World Peace said in a statement released after the name change court hearing. His publicist, Courtney Barnes, said that World Peace chose Metta as his first name because it is a traditional Buddhist word
that means loving kindness and friendliness towards all.
World Peace and Kimsha Artest (née Hatfield) were married for 6 years. Kimsha is a cast member on VH1's reality TV show Basketball Wives: LA
. The two have three children together: Sadie, Ron III, and Diamond. Kimsha and World Peace, who was still called Ron Artest at the time, married in June 2003 and divorced in 2009. World Peace has another son, Jeron, with his former high school girlfriend Jennifer Palma. World Peace's daughter, Diamond, also plans to change her surname from Artest to World Peace now that her father's name change has become official.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player and rapper who is currently with the Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
in the NBA
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
. World Peace gained a reputation as one of the league's premier defenders as he won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award
NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award
The National Basketball Association's Defensive Player of the Year Award is an annual National Basketball Association award given since the 1982–83 NBA season, to the top defensive player of the regular season...
in 2004. He was a major participant in the Pacers–Pistons brawl and is known for his sometimes eccentric, outspoken behavior.
Early life
Metta World Peace was born Ronald William Artest, Jr., and raised in the QueensbridgeQueensbridge, Queens
Queensbridge Houses is the largest public housing development in North America. It is located in Long Island City in Queens, and opened in 1939. The 3,142-unit complex is owned by the New York City Housing Authority. The complex is located in Community Board 1...
projects in Queens
Queens
Queens is the easternmost of the five boroughs of New York City. The largest borough in area and the second-largest in population, it is coextensive with Queens County, an administrative division of New York state, in the United States....
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. He has two younger brothers, Isaiah and Daniel. He played high school basketball at La Salle Academy
La Salle Academy
La Salle Academy is a private, all boys high school in the New York City borough of Manhattan. It is a part of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York....
and college basketball
College basketball
College basketball most often refers to the USA basketball competitive governance structure established by the National Collegiate Athletic Association . Basketball in the NCAA is divided into three divisions: Division I, Division II and Division III....
at St. John's University from 1997–1999. In 1999, he helped the Red Storm to the Elite Eight, losing to Ohio State in a classic game. He gained fame playing in some of New York City's high profile summer basketball tournaments at Nike
Nike, Inc.
Nike, Inc. is a major publicly traded sportswear and equipment supplier based in the United States. The company is headquartered near Beaverton, Oregon, which is part of the Portland metropolitan area...
Pro City, Hoops in the Sun at Orchard Beach
Orchard Beach, New York
Orchard Beach is a public beach in the borough of the Bronx in New York City. The beach is part of Pelham Bay Park and is situated on the western end of Long Island Sound...
, Bronx, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
and Dyckman Park at Washington Heights
Washington Heights, Manhattan
Washington Heights is a New York City neighborhood in the northern reaches of the borough of Manhattan. It is named for Fort Washington, a fortification constructed at the highest point on Manhattan island by Continental Army troops during the American Revolutionary War, to defend the area from the...
, earning himself nicknames such as Tru Warier and The New World Order, a name he received from Randy Cruz (one of the co-founders of the Hoops In The Sun basketball league at Orchard Beach in the Bronx, New York).
As a teenager, he was teamed with Elton Brand
Elton Brand
Elton Tyron Brand is an American professional basketball player who currently plays for the Philadelphia 76ers of the National Basketball Association...
of the Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . Originally known as the Syracuse Nationals, they are one of the oldest franchises in the NBA...
and current teammate Lamar Odom
Lamar Odom
Lamar Joseph Odom is an American professional basketball forward with the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association.-Early life:...
of the Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
on the same AAU
Amateur Athletic Union
The Amateur Athletic Union is one of the largest non-profit volunteer sports organizations in the United States. A multi-sport organization, the AAU is dedicated exclusively to the promotion and development of amateur sports and physical fitness programs.-History:The AAU was founded in 1888 to...
team.
Growing up in a rough neighborhood, he witnessed the death of a fellow player on a basketball court. "It was so competitive, they broke a leg from a table and they threw it, it went right through his heart and he died right on the court. So I'm accustomed to playing basketball really rough." The player Artest was speaking of was 19-year-old Lloyd Newton, who was stabbed in the back with a broken-off table leg during an altercation at a 1991 YMCA
YMCA
The Young Men's Christian Association is a worldwide organization of more than 45 million members from 125 national federations affiliated through the World Alliance of YMCAs...
-sanctioned basketball tournament.
Chicago Bulls
Artest was selected by the Chicago BullsChicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois, playing in the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1966. They play their home games at the United Center...
with the 16th pick of the 1999 NBA Draft
1999 NBA Draft
The 1999 NBA Draft was held on June 30, 1999 at the MCI Center in Washington, D.C. It was the first draft in which four players from the same college were picked in the first round, with Elton Brand , Trajan Langdon , Corey Maggette and William Avery being selected out of Duke University...
.
Artest played a total of 175 games for the Bulls over 2-1/2 years, the bulk as a starter, during which time he averaged about 12.5 points and just over 4 rebounds per game. He was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team in the 1999–2000 season.
Midway through the 2001–02 season, Artest was traded by Chicago to the Indiana Pacers along with Ron Mercer
Ron Mercer
Ronald Eugene Mercer is a former American basketball player at the University of Kentucky who also had a career in the National Basketball Association; the last time he played was for the New Jersey Nets in 2005.-Basketball career:...
, Brad Miller
Brad Miller (basketball)
Bradley Alan Miller is an American professional basketball player for the Minnesota Timberwolves of the NBA...
, and Kevin Ollie
Kevin Ollie
Kevin Jermaine Ollie is an American former professional basketball player. He played for eleven National Basketball Association franchises in thirteen seasons...
, in exchange for Jalen Rose
Jalen Rose
Jalen Anthony Rose is a retired American professional basketball player, who currently works as a sports analyst for the sports television network ESPN...
, Travis Best
Travis Best
Travis Eric Best is an American former professional basketball player, who played in the NBA and in Europe.-High school career:...
, Norman Richardson
Norman Richardson
Charles Norman Richardson is an American professional basketball player. A 6'5" 190/200 lb shooting guard, played college basketball at Hofstra University and had a brief stint in the NBA in 2001-02....
, and a 2nd round draft pick.
Indiana Pacers
Following his trade to the Pacers, Artest had the best season of his professional career. During the 2003–04 season, he averaged 18.3 points per game, 5.7 rebounds per game, and 3.7 assists per game. Artest made the 2004 All-Star Game as a reserve and was named the Defensive Player of the Year. He wore three jersey numbers for the Pacers: 15, 23 and 91.Pacers–Pistons brawl
On November 19, 2004, Artest was at the center of an altercation among players and fans during agame in Auburn Hills, Michigan
Auburn Hills, Michigan
Auburn Hills is a city in Metro Detroit, Oakland County, in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 21,412 at the 2010 census. The city was formed in 1983 when Pontiac Township became the City of Auburn Hills.-Economy:...
between Artest's Pacers and the home team Detroit Pistons
Detroit Pistons
The Detroit Pistons are a franchise of the National Basketball Association based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The team's home arena is The Palace of Auburn Hills. It was originally founded in Fort Wayne, Indiana as the Fort Wayne Pistons as a member of the National Basketball League in 1941, where...
.
The brawl began when Artest fouled Pistons center
Center (basketball)
The center, colloquially known as the five or the post, is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. The center is normally the tallest player on the team, and often has a great deal of strength and body mass as well...
Ben Wallace
Ben Wallace
Ben Camey Wallace is an American basketball center for the Detroit Pistons of the NBA. A native of Alabama, Wallace attended Cuyahoga Community College and Virginia Union University and signed with the Washington Bullets as an undrafted free agent in 1996...
as Wallace was putting up a shot. Wallace, upset at being fouled hard when the game was effectively over (the Pacers led 97–82 with less than 50 seconds to go), responded by shoving Artest, leading to an altercation
Violence in sports
Violence in sports refers to physical acts committed in contact sports such as American football, ice hockey, rugby football, soccer, boxing, mixed martial arts, wrestling, and water polo beyond the normal levels of contact expected while playing the sport...
near the scorer's table. Artest walked to the sideline and lay down on the scorer's table. Reacting to Wallace throwing something at Artest, Pistons fan John Green threw a cup of Diet Coke at Artest, hitting him. Artest jumped into the front-row seats and confronted a man he incorrectly believed to be responsible, which in turn erupted into a brawl between Pistons fans and several of the Pacers. Artest returned to the basketball court, and punched Pistons fan A.J. Shackleford, who was apparently taunting Artest verbally. This fight resulted in the game being stopped with less than a minute remaining. Artest's teammates Jermaine O'Neal
Jermaine O'Neal
Jermaine Lee O'Neal is an American professional basketball player for the Boston Celtics. The 6 ft 11 in , 255 lb forward-center had a successful high school career and declared his eligibility for the 1996 NBA Draft straight out of high school...
and Stephen Jackson
Stephen Jackson
Stephen Jesse Jackson is an American professional basketball player for the NBA's Milwaukee Bucks. Jackson is a 6'8" guard-forward.-Early life, high school, and college:Jackson was born in Houston and grew up in Port Arthur, Texas...
were suspended indefinitely the day after the game, along with Wallace.
On November 21, the NBA suspended Artest for the rest of the regular season, plus any playoff games. All told, Artest missed 86 games (73 regular season games plus 13 playoff games), the longest suspension for an on-court incident in NBA history. Eight other players (four Pacers and four Pistons) received suspensions, without pay, which ranged from one to thirty games in length. Each of the players involved were levied fines and ordered to do community service. Several fans were also charged and were banned from attending Pistons games for life. Artest lost approximately $7 million in salary due to the suspension.
Aftermath and trade
Early in the 2005–06 season, Artest requested a trade from the Indiana Pacers and was put on the team's inactive roster. Artest's call for a trade created a rift between him and his teammates. "We felt betrayed, a little disrespected," teammate Jermaine O'Neal said. As for their basketball relationship, O'Neal said: "The business relationship is over. That's fact." Pacers president Larry BirdLarry Bird
Larry Joe Bird is a former American NBA basketball player and coach. Drafted into the NBA sixth overall by the Boston Celtics in 1978, Bird started at small forward and power forward for thirteen seasons, spearheading one of the NBA's most formidable frontcourts that included center Robert Parish...
said he also felt "betrayed" and "disappointed."
On January 24, 2006, reports from NBA sources confirmed that the Sacramento Kings
Sacramento Kings
The Sacramento Kings are a professional basketball team based in Sacramento, California, United States. They are currently members of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association...
had agreed to trade Peja Stojaković
Predrag Stojakovic
Predrag Stojaković , also known by his nickname Peja , is a Serbian professional basketball player who last played for the Dallas Mavericks of the National Basketball Association . Standing at 6 ft 10 , Stojaković plays the small forward position...
to the Pacers for Artest. However, before the trade could be completed, many press outlets reported that Artest had informed team management that he did not want to go to Sacramento. According to Artest's agent, his original trade request was only made because he was upset when he heard rumors that the Pacers were going to trade him to Sacramento for Stojaković early in the season. While not denying his agent's story, Artest did deny that he had rejected the trade to Sacramento, saying that he would play anywhere; hence, contradicting earlier press accounts stating Artest was holding up the trade. Given conflicting accounts, it is unclear why the trade was delayed, but it was nevertheless completed on January 25 and Artest was officially sent to the Kings for Stojaković.
Sacramento Kings
Rick Adelman
Richard Leonard "Rick" Adelman is an American former basketball professional player and current basketball coach. He is the head coach of the Minnesota Timberwolves of the NBA. Confirmation of the hiring came from the Timberwolves on September 13, 2011...
. Artest wore #93 for his jersey number with the Kings. After acquiring Artest in late January 2006, the team immediately went on a 14–5 run, the team's best run of the season. The Kings broke .500 and landed the eighth spot in the Western Conference. This prompted ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
to declare that "Ron Artest has breathed new life in the Sacramento Kings and enhanced their chances of reaching the playoffs for the ninth straight year." Fox Sports
Fox Sports (USA)
Fox Sports is a division of the Fox Broadcasting Company . It was formed in 1994 with Fox's acquisition of broadcast rights to National Football League games...
proclaimed, "Artest has Kings back in playoff hunt."
He was suspended for Game 2 of the team's first-round series against the San Antonio Spurs
San Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs are an American professional basketball team based in San Antonio, Texas. They are part of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association ....
following a flagrant foul (elbow to the head) on Manu Ginóbili
Manu Ginobili
Emanuel David "Manu" Ginóbili is an Argentine professional basketball player. Coming from a family of professional basketball players, he is a member of the Argentine men's national basketball team and the San Antonio Spurs in the National Basketball Association .Ginóbili spent the early part of...
. The Kings eventually were eliminated from the playoffs in six games.
After the playoffs, Artest offered to donate his entire salary to keep teammate Bonzi Wells
Bonzi Wells
Gawen DeAngelo "Bonzi" Wells is an American professional basketball player. A 6' 5" shooting guard, he last played for Capitanes de Arecibo of the Baloncesto Superior Nacional, the main Puerto Rican basketball league. He played college basketball at Ball State University and was drafted in the...
with the team, who became a free agent after the 2005–06 NBA season. He even jokingly threatened to kill Wells if he did not re-sign with the Kings. Wells was later picked up by the Houston Rockets
Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas. The team plays in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1967, and played in San Diego, California for four years, before being...
and then traded to the New Orleans Hornets for former Sacramento Kings
Sacramento Kings
The Sacramento Kings are a professional basketball team based in Sacramento, California, United States. They are currently members of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association...
player Bobby Jackson. Artest also offered to donate his salary to retain the services of head coach Rick Adelman
Rick Adelman
Richard Leonard "Rick" Adelman is an American former basketball professional player and current basketball coach. He is the head coach of the Minnesota Timberwolves of the NBA. Confirmation of the hiring came from the Timberwolves on September 13, 2011...
, whose contract expired after the same season. Adelman and the Kings did not agree on a contract extension so the two parted ways.
Houston Rockets
Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas. The team plays in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1967, and played in San Diego, California for four years, before being...
along with Patrick Ewing, Jr.
Patrick Ewing, Jr.
Patrick Aloysius Ewing, Jr. is an American professional basketball player for the NBA's New Orleans Hornets. He is the oldest son of retired NBA Hall of Famer and New York Knicks legend Patrick Ewing and Sharon Campbell...
and Sean Singletary
Sean Singletary
Sean Singletary is an American professional basketball player.-Early life:Singletary was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He attended C. W...
for Bobby Jackson, recently drafted forward Donté Greene
Donté Greene
Donté Dominic Greene is an American professional basketball player for the Sacramento Kings of the NBA...
, a 2009 first-round draft
2009 NBA Draft
The 2009 NBA Draft was held on June 25, 2009, the WaMu Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. In this draft, National Basketball Association teams took turns selecting amateur U.S...
pick, and cash considerations. The deal was made official on August 14, due to Greene's rookie contract signing on July 14. In response to the trade, Yao Ming
Yao Ming
Yao Ming is a retired Chinese professional basketball player who last played for the Houston Rockets of the National Basketball Association...
was generally positive, but jokingly said that "hopefully he's not fighting anymore and going after a guy in the stands." In response, Artest said, "This is Tracy (McGrady) and Yao's team, you know. I'm not going to take it personal. I understand what Yao said, but I'm still ghetto. 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."
Artest and Yao later exchanged extensive phone calls. Artest also said, "Whatever Adelman needs me to do, whether that's come off the bench, sixth, seventh man, start, I don't even care. Whatever he needs me to do, I'm 100 percent sure it's going to work out."
On October 30, 2008, Artest received his first technical as a Houston Rocket, as he raced towards a group of Dallas Mavericks
Dallas Mavericks
The Dallas Mavericks are a professional basketball team based in Dallas, Texas. They are members of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association , and the reigning NBA champions, having defeated the Miami Heat in the 2011 NBA Finals.According to a 2011...
players and then quickly went to Yao Ming
Yao Ming
Yao Ming is a retired Chinese professional basketball player who last played for the Houston Rockets of the National Basketball Association...
who bumped Josh Howard
Josh Howard
Joshua Jay Howard is an American professional basketball player who most recently played for the NBA's Washington Wizards. At and , he plays as a small forward.-High school:...
after play stopped. Artest was trying to pull Ming away from the play and to the foul line, but contact was made with Maverick players. The TNT broadcast crew felt this technical was not warranted, and was based upon Artest's prior reputation as a feisty player in the league. In the playoffs
2009 NBA Playoffs
The 2009 NBA Playoffs was the postseason for the National Basketball Association's 2008–09 season. The playoffs started on April 18, 2009 with ABC, ESPN, TNT, and NBA TV broadcasting the games in the United States...
, Artest helped the Rockets advance past the first round for the first time in 11 seasons. In Game 2 of the second round against the Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
, Artest, who was battling for rebounding position with Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bean Bryant is an American professional basketball player who plays shooting guard for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association . Bryant enjoyed a successful high school basketball career at Lower Merion High School, where he was recognized as the top high school...
, was elbowed in the neck by Bryant, which was later ruled to be a Type 1 flagrant foul
Flagrant foul
A flagrant foul is a serious contact foul involving unnecessary, excessive, or intentional contact in sport. There is a specific National Basketball Association foul termed a flagrant foul.-NBA flagrant fouls:...
. After being called for an offensive foul, Artest was indignant and proceeded to antagonize Bryant after the play, which eventually led to an ejection
Ejection
Ejection may refer to the following:* Ejection seat, safety device typically used to escape an aircraft in-flight.* Ejection , the act of officially removing someone from a game....
by Joe Crawford
Joe Crawford
Joseph "Joey" Crawford has been an American professional basketball referee in the National Basketball Association since 1977 and wears the uniform number 17. Crawford is one of the most experienced officials in the NBA and has developed a reputation for being eager to assess technical fouls...
. In Game 3, Artest was again ejected in the fourth quarter after a hard foul on Pau Gasol
Pau Gasol
Pau Gasol Sáez is a Spanish professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association . He was born to Marisa Sáez and Agustí Gasol, and he spent his childhood in Spain...
, who was attempting to dunk on a fast-break. It was determined the next day that the foul was not serious enough to warrant an ejection, and the flagrant foul was downgraded.
Los Angeles Lakers
In July 2009, the Los Angeles LakersLos Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
signed Artest to a five-year deal worth about $33 million. Artest chose the number 37 jersey, which he said was in honor of Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson
Michael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
. Jackson's Thriller
Thriller (album)
Thriller is the sixth studio album by American recording artist Michael Jackson. It was released on November 30, 1982, by Epic Records as the follow-up to Jackson's critically and commercially successful 1979 album Off the Wall...
album was at No. 1 on the charts for 37 straight weeks.
In Game 5 of the 2010 Western Conference Finals
2010 NBA Playoffs
The 2010 NBA Playoffs was the postseason for the National Basketball Association's 2009–10 season. The playoffs started on April 17, 2010 with ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, TNT, and NBA TV broadcasting the games in the United States...
, Artest hit a game-winning shot at the buzzer after grabbing a last second offensive rebound. He scored 25 points against the Phoenix Suns in Game 6 and went to the NBA Finals
2010 NBA Finals
The 2010 NBA Finals was the National Basketball Association championship series for the 2009–10 season. The best-of-seven playoff was contested between the Los Angeles Lakers, champions of the Western Conference and defending NBA champions, and the Boston Celtics, champions of the Eastern Conference...
for the first time in his career. In the finals, the Lakers defeated the Boston Celtics, four games to three. Artest scored 20 points in the clincher and sank the team's last field goal – a three-pointer late in the fourth quarter – to virtually seal the victory. Afterwards, Lakers head coach Phil Jackson
Phil Jackson
Philip Douglas "Phil" Jackson is a retired American professional basketball coach and player. Jackson is widely considered one of the greatest coaches in the history of the National Basketball Association . His reputation was established as head coach of the Chicago Bulls from 1989 through 1998;...
called Artest the most valuable player of Game 7 against the Celtics. He won his first championship ring with the Lakers.
For the 2010–2011 season, Artest switched back to number 15, his college number at St. John’s and the first number he wore in his NBA career.
On April 26, 2011, Artest won the NBA's J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award
J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award
The J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award is an annual National Basketball Association award given since the 1974–75 NBA season to a player, coach, or trainer who shows "outstanding service and dedication to the community"...
.
Career transactions
- June 30, 1999: Drafted 16th overall by Chicago BullsChicago BullsThe Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois, playing in the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1966. They play their home games at the United Center...
in 1999 NBA Draft1999 NBA DraftThe 1999 NBA Draft was held on June 30, 1999 at the MCI Center in Washington, D.C. It was the first draft in which four players from the same college were picked in the first round, with Elton Brand , Trajan Langdon , Corey Maggette and William Avery being selected out of Duke University...
. - February 19, 2002: Traded by Chicago along with Ron MercerRon MercerRonald Eugene Mercer is a former American basketball player at the University of Kentucky who also had a career in the National Basketball Association; the last time he played was for the New Jersey Nets in 2005.-Basketball career:...
, Brad MillerBrad Miller (basketball)Bradley Alan Miller is an American professional basketball player for the Minnesota Timberwolves of the NBA...
and Kevin OllieKevin OllieKevin Jermaine Ollie is an American former professional basketball player. He played for eleven National Basketball Association franchises in thirteen seasons...
to the Indiana PacersIndiana PacersThe Indiana Pacers are a professional basketball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. They are members of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association...
for Jalen RoseJalen RoseJalen Anthony Rose is a retired American professional basketball player, who currently works as a sports analyst for the sports television network ESPN...
, Travis BestTravis BestTravis Eric Best is an American former professional basketball player, who played in the NBA and in Europe.-High school career:...
, Norman RichardsonNorman RichardsonCharles Norman Richardson is an American professional basketball player. A 6'5" 190/200 lb shooting guard, played college basketball at Hofstra University and had a brief stint in the NBA in 2001-02....
and a future second-round draft pick. - January 25, 2006: Traded by Indiana to the Sacramento KingsSacramento KingsThe Sacramento Kings are a professional basketball team based in Sacramento, California, United States. They are currently members of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association...
for Peja StojakovićPredrag StojakovicPredrag Stojaković , also known by his nickname Peja , is a Serbian professional basketball player who last played for the Dallas Mavericks of the National Basketball Association . Standing at 6 ft 10 , Stojaković plays the small forward position...
. - August 21, 2008: Traded by Sacramento along with Patrick Ewing, Jr.Patrick Ewing, Jr.Patrick Aloysius Ewing, Jr. is an American professional basketball player for the NBA's New Orleans Hornets. He is the oldest son of retired NBA Hall of Famer and New York Knicks legend Patrick Ewing and Sharon Campbell...
and Sean SingletarySean SingletarySean Singletary is an American professional basketball player.-Early life:Singletary was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He attended C. W...
to the Houston RocketsHouston RocketsThe Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas. The team plays in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1967, and played in San Diego, California for four years, before being...
for Bobby Jackson, Donté GreeneDonté GreeneDonté Dominic Greene is an American professional basketball player for the Sacramento Kings of the NBA...
and a future first-round draft pick. - July 8, 2009: Signed by the Los Angeles Lakers for a 5-year deal worth 33 million dollars.
Endorsements and media presence
In April 2010, it was announced that Artest would help develop and produce his own reality show, They Call Me Crazy, in conjunction with E1 Entertainment and Tijuana EntertainmentTijuana Entertainment
Tijuana Entertainment is a production company formed by Troy Searer and John Foy.Originally signed by VH1 on a first-look deal, the pair was behind Celebreality shows Shooting Sizemore, Breaking Bonaduce, Supergroup and Mission: Man Band....
.
On December 18, 2010, an art show honoring Artest was held in Toronto, Canada. Entitled Lovable Badass, the show featured work by 30 Canadian and American artists, illustrators, painters and sculptors inspired by the athlete. Artest made a surprise appearance at the exhibition's opening night, commenting that “(the show) was definitely special. It was unexpected. Overwhelming.”
Artest was part of the line-up for the thirteenth season
Dancing with the Stars (U.S. season 13)
Dancing with the Stars returned for its thirteenth season on September 19, 2011. Carrie Ann Inaba, Len Goodman and Bruno Tonioli returned as the judges, and Tom Bergeron and Brooke Burke Charvet returned as hosts. Twelve couples competed in this season...
of the reality show Dancing with the Stars.
Advocacy
In 2008, Artest appeared in a video promoting companion animal spaying and neutering for People for the Ethical Treatment of AnimalsPeople for the Ethical Treatment of Animals
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is an American animal rights organization based in Norfolk, Virginia, and led by Ingrid Newkirk, its international president. A non-profit corporation with 300 employees and two million members and supporters, it claims to be the largest animal rights...
entitled "Have the balls to spay or neuter your dog." He has become involved in advocacy relating to mental health
Mental health
Mental health describes either a level of cognitive or emotional well-being or an absence of a mental disorder. From perspectives of the discipline of positive psychology or holism mental health may include an individual's ability to enjoy life and procure a balance between life activities and...
issues. In December 2010, he announced that he would donate some or all of his salary for the 2011–2012 NBA season toward mental health awareness charities. Artest also auctioned off his 2009-10 championship ring and donated the proceeds to various mental health charities nationwide.
Regular season
|-| style="text-align:left;"| 1999–00
| style="text-align:left;"| Chicago
Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois, playing in the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1966. They play their home games at the United Center...
| 72 || 63 || 31.1 || .407 || .314 || .674 || 4.3 || 2.8 || 1.6 || .5 || 12.0
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2000–01
| style="text-align:left;"| Chicago
| 76 || 74 || 31.1 || .401 || .291 || .750 || 3.9 || 3.0 || 2.0 || .6 || 11.9
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2001–02
| style="text-align:left;"| Chicago
| 27 || 26 || 30.5 || .433 || .396 || .628 || 4.9 || 2.9 || 2.8 || .9 || 15.6
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2001–02
| style="text-align:left;"| Indiana
Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers are a professional basketball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. They are members of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association...
| 28 || 24 || 29.3 || .411 || .215 || .733 || 5.0 || 1.8 || 2.4 || .6 || 10.9
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2002–03
| style="text-align:left;"| Indiana
| 69 || 67 || 33.6 || .428 || .336 || .736 || 5.2 || 2.9 || 2.3 || .7 || 15.5
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2003–04
| style="text-align:left;"| Indiana
| 73 || 71 || 37.2 || .421 || .310 || .733 || 5.3 || 3.7 || 2.1 || .7 || 18.3
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2004–05
| style="text-align:left;"| Indiana
| 7 || 7 || 41.6 || .496 || .412 || .922 || 6.4 || 3.1 || 1.7 || .9 || 24.6
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2005–06
| style="text-align:left;"| Indiana
| 16 || 16 || 37.7 || .460 || .333 || .612 || 4.9 || 2.2 || 2.6 || .7 || 19.4
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2005–06
| style="text-align:left;"| Sacramento
Sacramento Kings
The Sacramento Kings are a professional basketball team based in Sacramento, California, United States. They are currently members of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association...
| 40 || 40 || 40.1 || .383 || .302 || .717 || 5.2 || 4.2 || 2.0 || .8 || 16.9
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2006–07
| style="text-align:left;"| Sacramento
| 70 || 65 || 37.7 || .440 || .358 || .740 || 6.5 || 3.4 || 2.1 || .6 || 18.8
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2007–08
| style="text-align:left;"| Sacramento
| 57 || 54 || 38.1 || .453 || .380 || .719 || 5.8 || 3.5 || 2.3 || .7 || 20.5
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2008–09
2008–09 NBA season
The 2008–09 NBA season was the 63rd season of the National Basketball Association . The 1,230-game regular season began on Tuesday, October 28, 2008, and ended on Wednesday, April 15, 2009...
| style="text-align:left;"| Houston
| 69 || 55 || 35.5 || .401 || .399 || .748 || 5.2 || 3.3 || 1.5 || .3 || 17.1
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2009–10
2009–10 NBA season
The 2009–10 NBA season was the 64th season of the National Basketball Association . The 1,230-game regular season began on Tuesday, October 27, 2009, and ended on Wednesday, April 14, 2010....
| style="text-align:left;"| L.A. Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
| 77 || 77 || 33.8 || .414 || .355 || .688 || 4.3 || 3.0 || 1.4 || .3 || 11.0
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2010–11
2010–11 NBA season
The 2010–11 NBA season was the 65th season of the National Basketball Association . The 2011 NBA All-Star Game was played on February 20, 2011 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. The Dallas Mavericks defeated the Miami Heat in six games, 4 games to 2, to win their first NBA title, and...
| style="text-align:left;"| L.A. Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
| 82 || 82 || 29.4 || .397 || .356 || .676 || 3.3 || 2.1 || 1.5 || .4 || 8.5
|-class="sortbottom"
| style="text-align:left;"| Career
| style="text-align:left;"|
| 763 || 721 || 34.1 || .419 || .345 || .719 || 4.8 || 3.0 || 1.9 || .6 || 14.8
|-class="sortbottom"
| style="text-align:left;"| All-Star
| style="text-align:left;"|
| 1 || 0 || 17.0 || .600 || .000 || .500 || 3.0 || 3.0 || 1.0 || .0 || 7.0
Playoffs
|-| style="text-align:left;"| 2002
2002 NBA Playoffs
The 2002 NBA Playoffs were the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 2001–02 season. This would be the final postseason that held a best-of-5 first-round series; next year's postseason would see those series expanded to a best-of-7 format...
| style="text-align:left;"| Indiana
Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers are a professional basketball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. They are members of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association...
| 5 || 5 || 33.4 || .407 || .462 || .692 || 6.0 || 3.2 || 2.6 || .6 || 11.8
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2003
2003 NBA Playoffs
The 2003 NBA playoffs was the postseason of the National Basketball Association's 2002-03 NBA season. This postseason was notable for being the first time all series were conducted in a best-of-7 format. It was also the only time in playoff history that no team was swept in a first-round series....
| style="text-align:left;"| Indiana
| 6 || 6 || 42.0 || .389 || .387 || .800 || 5.8 || 2.2 || 2.5 || 1.0 || 19.0
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2004
2004 NBA Playoffs
The 2004 NBA Playoffs were the postseason of the National Basketball Association's 2003–04 season. Consisting of 16 teams in two conferences, the playoffs involved about two months of play. The playoffs were conducted in seven-game series, with the team with the better record holding home court...
| style="text-align:left;"| Indiana
| 15 || 15 || 38.9 || .378 || .288 || .718 || 6.5 || 3.2 || 1.4 || 1.1 || 18.4
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2006
2006 NBA Playoffs
The 2006 NBA Playoffs was the postseason of the National Basketball Association's 2005–06 season. The Miami Heat won the first championship in the history of the franchise by defeating the Dallas Mavericks 4-2 in the 2006 NBA Finals...
| style="text-align:left;"| Sacramento
Sacramento Kings
The Sacramento Kings are a professional basketball team based in Sacramento, California, United States. They are currently members of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association...
| 5 || 5 || 39.6 || .383 || .333 || .696 || 5.0 || 3.0 || 1.6 || .8 || 17.4
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2009
2009 NBA Playoffs
The 2009 NBA Playoffs was the postseason for the National Basketball Association's 2008–09 season. The playoffs started on April 18, 2009 with ABC, ESPN, TNT, and NBA TV broadcasting the games in the United States...
| style="text-align:left;"| Houston
Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas. The team plays in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1967, and played in San Diego, California for four years, before being...
| 13 || 13 || 37.5 || .394 || .277 || .714 || 4.3 || 4.2 || 1.1 || .2 || 15.6
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2010
2010 NBA Playoffs
The 2010 NBA Playoffs was the postseason for the National Basketball Association's 2009–10 season. The playoffs started on April 17, 2010 with ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, TNT, and NBA TV broadcasting the games in the United States...
| style="text-align:left;"| L.A. Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
| 23 || 23 || 36.5 || .398 || .291 || .579 || 4.0 || 2.1 || 1.5 || .5 || 11.2
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2011
2011 NBA Playoffs
The 2011 NBA Playoffs was the postseason for the National Basketball Association's 2010–11 season. Eight teams from each of the league's two conferences qualified for the playoffs, all seeded 1 to 8 in a tournament bracket, with all rounds in a best-of-seven format. The 2011 NBA Playoffs began on...
| style="text-align:left;"| L.A. Lakers
| 9 || 9 || 31.9 || .443 || .321 || .762 || 4.6 || 2.2 || 1.1 || .8 || 10.6
|-class="sortbottom"
| style="text-align:left;"| Career
| style="text-align:left;"|
| 76 || 76 || 37.0 || .394 || .307 || .710 || 4.9 || 2.8 || 1.5 || .7 || 14.4
Controversy
In a December 2009 Sporting News interview, Artest admitted that he had led a "wild" lifestyle as a young player, and that he drank HennessyHennessy
Jas Hennessy & Co., or more simply Hennessy, is a world-leading cognac house with headquarters in Cognac, France. Today, the company of Jas Hennessy & Co...
cognac
Cognac (drink)
Cognac , named after the town of Cognac in France, is a variety of brandy. It is produced in the wine-growing region surrounding the town from which it takes its name, in the French Departements of Charente and Charente-Maritime....
in the locker room at halftime when he was playing for the Chicago Bulls
Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois, playing in the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1966. They play their home games at the United Center...
at the beginning of his NBA career. During his rookie season in Chicago, he was criticized for applying for a job at Circuit City in order to get an employee discount. He once attended a practice with the Indiana Pacers
Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers are a professional basketball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. They are members of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association...
in a bath robe. He was suspended for two games in the early 2004–05 season by Pacers coach
Head coach
A head coach, senior coach or manager is a professional at training and developing athletes. They typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than other coaches...
Rick Carlisle
Rick Carlisle
Richard Preston Carlisle is the head coach of the NBA's Dallas Mavericks. He has also coached the Indiana Pacers and Detroit Pistons, and was previously a player in the NBA. He is also one of the only 11 people to win an NBA championship both as a player and as a coach.-Playing career:Carlisle...
after he allegedly asked for a month off because he was tired from promoting an R&B album for the group Allure
Allure (group)
Allure is a New York-based R&B girl group that formed in the early 1990s as a quartet, now a trio. Original members were Alia Davis, Linnie Belcher, Lalisha McClean and Akissa Mendez.-Career:...
on his production label. Artest had also been suspended for three games in 2003 for destroying a television camera at Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG and known colloquially as The Garden, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the New York City borough of Manhattan and located at 8th Avenue, between 31st and 33rd Streets, situated on top of Pennsylvania Station.Opened on February 11, 1968, it is the...
, and for four games for a confrontation with Miami Heat
Miami Heat
The Miami Heat is a professional basketball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. The team is a member of the Southeast Division in the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . They play their home games at American Airlines Arena in Downtown Miami...
coach Pat Riley
Pat Riley
Patrick James "Pat" Riley is an American professional basketball executive, and a retired coach and player in the NBA. Currently, he is team president of the Miami Heat. Widely regarded as one of the greatest NBA coaches of all time, Riley has served as the head coach of five championship teams...
in 2003. He has also been suspended several times for flagrant foul
Flagrant foul
A flagrant foul is a serious contact foul involving unnecessary, excessive, or intentional contact in sport. There is a specific National Basketball Association foul termed a flagrant foul.-NBA flagrant fouls:...
s. Artest was also involved in the infamous Pacers-Pistons brawl in 2004.
Legal troubles
According to a Placer County report obtained by the Sacramento Bee, on January 30, 2007, Animal Services officers issued a "pre-seizure" notice to Artest, on the suspicion that a dog at his home in LoomisLoomis, California
Loomis is an incorporated town in Placer County, California, United States. It is part of the Sacramento–Arden-Arcade–Roseville Metropolitan Statistical Area...
was not getting adequate food. On February 5, officers returned and seized Socks, a female Great Dane
Great Dane
The Great Dane , also known as German Mastiff or Danish Hound , is a breed of domestic dog known for its giant size...
, removing her into protective custody with a local veterinarian. The seizure cited a law that requires animal caretakers to "provide proper sustenance." Artest later sent an email to the Bee, writing "I'm glad to say all problems are solved now, and I'm looking forward to getting my dog back." In March 2007, his dog was released under a foster care agreement after being treated for more than a month. In April 2007, the Placer County District Attorney's Office announced that it would not file charges against Artest for the incident. It also was reported by Placer County Animal Services and by Artest that he agreed to allow Socks to be adopted by a new owner.
On March 5, 2007, Artest was arrested for domestic abuse, and excused from Sacramento Kings indefinitely by GM
General manager
General manager is a descriptive term for certain executives in a business operation. It is also a formal title held by some business executives, most commonly in the hospitality industry.-Generic usage:...
Geoff Petrie
Geoff Petrie
Geoffrey Michael Petrie is a former American basketball player and current basketball team executive. A native of Pennsylvania, he played professional basketball in the National Basketball Association for the Portland Trail Blazers where he won NBA Rookie of the Year in 1971...
. On March 10, Kings announced that Artest would return to the team, while his case was being reviewed by the Placer County District Attorney. On May 3, he was sentenced to 20 days in jail and community service. Artest spent only 10 days in the jail, as the judge stayed 10 days of the sentence, and served the remainder in a work release program. On July 14, 2007, the NBA suspended Artest for seven games at the beginning of the 2007–08 NBA season for his legal problems.
Personal life
On September 16, 2011, Artest's name was officially changed to Metta World Peace. The idea was inspired by Chad Ochocinco's name change. "Metta" is his first name, and "World Peace" is the last."Changing my name was meant to inspire and bring youth together all around the world," World Peace said in a statement released after the name change court hearing. His publicist, Courtney Barnes, said that World Peace chose Metta as his first name because it is a traditional Buddhist word
Metta
Mettā or maitrī is loving-kindness, friendliness, benevolence, amity, friendship, good will, kindness, love, sympathy, close mental union , and active interest in others. It is one of the ten pāramīs of the Theravāda school of Buddhism, and the first of the four sublime states...
that means loving kindness and friendliness towards all.
World Peace and Kimsha Artest (née Hatfield) were married for 6 years. Kimsha is a cast member on VH1's reality TV show Basketball Wives: LA
Basketball Wives: LA
Basketball Wives: LA is a reality television series that premiered on August 29, 2011, on VH1. Created by production company Shed Media, the series follows the lives of a group of women who have all been somehow romantically linked to professional basketball players. The show is filmed in Los...
. The two have three children together: Sadie, Ron III, and Diamond. Kimsha and World Peace, who was still called Ron Artest at the time, married in June 2003 and divorced in 2009. World Peace has another son, Jeron, with his former high school girlfriend Jennifer Palma. World Peace's daughter, Diamond, also plans to change her surname from Artest to World Peace now that her father's name change has become official.
External links
- Ron Artest official site
- Ron Artest Player Page, NBA.com
- Ron Artest Career Statistics, Basketball-Reference.com
- Ron Artest Career Statistics, Database Basketball.com
- ESPN Profile