Flashback Friday: Metta World Peace AKA "The Panda's Friend"

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It was not long ago when the eccentric Metta World Peace, formerly known as Ron Artest, dawned his purple and gold jersey as he pumped his arms up and kissed his biceps, while hustling up and down the court. World Peace made a name for himself way before his days in Los Angeles as an aggressive defensive enforcer who's toughness occasionally got him into some trouble. Prior to his championship runs with the Houston Rockets in 2009 (a year before signing with the Lakers) and the Los Angeles Lakers in 2010, he was remembered for his infamous involvement in "the Malice in the Palace" disaster, an epic brawl that broke out between the Indiana Pacers and Detroit Pistons which involved fans, coaches, and players alike.

However, after packing in some years of experience, age, and aid from his psychiatrist and new coach in the Zen Master, Phil Jackson, World Peace began to manage his aggression and hot temper. It only took a few games in the 2009-2010 season for Metta to realize that he had found quite a fit in LA, where fans seemed to embrace all the craziness and often honest nature of the humble athlete who was learning to deal with his troubling past as he paved a way for a positive future.

As a defensive player for my team, Metta had quite an influence on my defensive game. I would actually go back and watch some of his on-ball defense against some of the NBA's greatest offensive players. One of the videos that seriously stuck out had to be a NBA Sunday Showcase game that aired on abc where he locked down Carmelo Anthony (then a Denver Nugget) for an entire game. The video is just nine minutes of Metta seriously moving his feet and sticking to Anthony like glue. It is pretty fascinating and deserves to be watched at least once, I actually revisited it a couple of times during my junior year on my high school ball club just to find a way to pivot my feet against offensive players who favored their left or right hands.

Video Courtesy of footse via YouTube 

Although Metta was known for his defense, his offense was pretty underrated. Many thought that he just tossed up shots and relied too much on his brute force to throw up shots; many thought that he was just throwing things up until one or two found its way into the basket. Yes, I know his layups are not the prettiest and he barely has any elevation in his jumper but Metta is more efficient than many give him credit for. From the start of his career in 1999 to his championship season with the Lakers in 2010, World Peace did not average less than ten points a night. In 2007, Metta was putting up 20.5 points per game while shooting .453 from the field as a member of the Sacramento Kings. After being traded to Houston, his numbers took a small dip as he put up 17.1 points per game off of .401 shooting. However, it must be noted that he was joining a team with Yao Ming who demanded the ball much more than a Sacramento Kings team who looked for him to be the primary scorer; place him in Los Angeles along with Pau Gasol and Kobe Bryant and his numbers are sure to take yet another dip. Not to mention, Metta was pretty clutch during some of the most critical games for the Lakers.

Video Courtesy of NBA King via YouTube

What made Metta such a phenomenal basketball player was not just his offensive, some may argue that it was not even his defense; what made Metta such a great NBA player was the fact that he was extremely aware of his role. He is a guy who could step into any ball club and only help that team improve. Many were hesitant to bring Metta to there team because of his hot-headed temper, but nobody gave him a chance to prove that he could change. When the Lakers signed him, analyst were quick to jump on the chemistry of the team moving forward and how Bryant and Metta would have a hard time getting together, it turned out that Metta was all hears from the start of training camp. He was willing to tone his attitude down, lose some weight, learn a new complicated offense that he had never run before, and play hard-nosed defense day in and day out. 

By the opening night of the regular season, the NBA did not see a wildly crazy and out of control player that they expected to see, they saw a poised player who was still eccentric and true to his own unique character, but at the same time, understood his boundaries; They saw a maturing veteran that was not going to give up his origins, his love for Queensbridge, but was willing to listen and give up his negative attributes for positive ones.

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I am not saying that Metta World Peace or Ron Artest is a perfect person after his time with the Lakers, but he is definitely a changed man who recognizes his flaws and mistakes. He had always wanted a second chance, to be a great basketball player but moreover, a greater individual and in that single season, he was able to show his breakthrough for the first time. From that season up to today, Metta carries much more love and compassion from fans than he had previously garnered and his demeanor and character seems completely different than the young man he once was. One can seriously tell the difference just by the groups and people that he has found himself involved with for the last couple of years.

He is now taking on new projects outside of basketball, some for his personal interest and hobbies, and some for a better cause. After winning his first and only championship, Metta put up his ring for auction in order to raise money to donate to New York Charities. He has also become an avid ambassador for mental-health awareness and continues his influence by visiting schools and talking to children. On his off-time, Metta has seriously embraced his celebrity and continues to record records. He is even starting his own entertainment company, the Artest Media Group TV.

It is pretty clear that Metta's professional days in the NBA are likely over as he heads over to China or the Philippines to spread his love for the game as his fairly new persona, "The Pandas Friend." I do not think that World Peace will ever fall short of entertaining the avid sports fans with his energy and attitude both on and off the court. Who could ever forget his famous post game interview:

           

Video Courtesy of desimusicguy via YouTube.