Metta World Peace Is Here To Smash All You Knew About Ron Artest

Photoshop by Payton Wales

By Payton Wales

Change is good. It may be cliche to say, but the thing with cliches is they are called that for a reason. In this case, the cliche, like most, holds plenty of truth.
 
Now, the change is coming for a player many once considered the black eye of the league. A player that, for almost his entire NBA career, has quietly but visibly battled his personal demons, and recently chose to open up to the world about his demons, bringing to light a subject many in the media and general public chose to ignore. Brushing them off as ploys to get attention or, even worse, the rantings of a lunatic, someone whose sanity would discredit the validity of the issues he had brought to light.

For Ron Artest, this is the case. His list of quirky behavior, starting all the way back to his first years as a pro in Chicago, is a long one. His campaign to work at Circuit City in his down time as a rookie, his outbursts on the court, his elaborate hair and, of course, the massive brawl in Detroit where, if truth be told, Artest was more protagonist than the antagonist he is now portrayed.

But that's how the media portrays Artest, and that is how the public receives him. Crazy, off his rocker and foolish. And, oddly enough, that is just how he perceives most fans, ignorant to think he should be held to some lofty, politically-correct standard that they put on our athletes, foolish because they chose not only to look at the highly-publicized negatives but failed to scratch away at the surface to see the positive accomplished by that same person.



Everyone questioned his sanity when he thanked his therapist after winning the championship. One of the last things expected to be heard from any male, and probably female, pro athlete, let alone a certified tough guy like Artest. But there he was, baring his soul to the world. The response, "told you he was crazy." For the record, Artest suffered with depression and anxiety disorders his entire life. The fact that he can admit it in today's society is a credit to his character.

Of course when Artest announced at the beginning of the 2010-11 season he would be donating more than half of his season's salary to various children's mental health organizations as well as auctioning his NBA championship ring for the same cause, people did all but institutionalize Artest.

So when Artest went to the county clerk in L.A. June 23 to put in an application to change his name, people were bound to have something to say.

Metta World Peace would be the new monkier and one the public would scrutinize well before it understood it.

Once news of the name broke, all the same accusations came up. He is crazy; he just wants attention, typical athlete narcissism. Except that's not what the last few years have been about at all. His actions throughout the last year have been about everyone but Metta World Peace.

Bringing to light a subject as taboo in sports society as depression and anxiety wasn't for his benefit. He didn't auction off his ring or donate several million dollars for attention. He did it so those who are less fortunate than he will get attention, receive help and maybe even respect.

Maybe the goal of world peace is unobtainable, but it is a beautiful thought and a beautiful goal. Maybe it doesn't have to be world peace in the literal sense. Maybe Metta World Peace is just trying to encourage everyone to find the peace within themselves. Maybe he is just trying to encourage thought.

Maybe Peace has it right. Maybe society is all twisted up and at war inside. The obsession with violence, hate, drama and destruction is seemingly unprecedented. We celebrate and follow musicians with names that depict violence, sex, murderers, weapons, money and historical crime lords. We love to watch reality TV, a constant reminder there are others out there more damaged than ourselves. Not to mention most of the movies out now celebrate death and gore as if it should be common place in everyday life.

Maybe it does make sense then to label Metta World Peace crazy. To try and mock someone  who represents the opposite of what so many love and enjoy in this day and age. How dare he stand for something good and positive after so many years stumbling around as our champion of tomfoolery and violence, a court jester now trying to be a knight.

Maybe Metta has had it right the whole time. Maybe everyone else is crazy, maybe everyone else is slightly unhinged. After all who among us would give up millions and a championship ring for nothing in return but the knowledge that you made a difference? Would everyone not consider that person crazy?

The perception may be Metta World Peace is crazy, but to the people he has helped, inspired and given hope to, he will forever be the opposite. For them, Metta World Peace is exactly what his name means.

Besides maybe, just maybe, you have to be a little crazy to be exceptional and give the world something great.

The Musical Stylings of Daniel Artest

Basketball and music go together; it’s a perfect marriage of sports and music. Other sports come close, but none are as perfect a match for music as basketball. The individuality mixed with the concept of team, the bravado, the flamboyant style, all a perfect match no matter what genre.

This is why the PBT wanted to bring you, the reader, a music section to keep you up-to-date with new music, what your favorite players are listening to and even dig into the crates and pull out some classics.

Our first contribution to this section is a special one. We managed to get the one and only Daniel Artest to the PBT  to talk about ball, his big brother Ron, and music. Hopefully, this will be painless, considering Daniel is a 6-foot-6, 280-pound bruiser and has years of battling Ron on the courts of Queens Bridge to give him legitimate tough guy status. Let’s just say, if anyone at the PBT disagrees with anything he says in this interview, no one is saying anything.

You can also follow Daniel's weekly blog over at  The No Look Pass It's a great read and some great incite into his life. 

So, without further ado, the musical stylings of Daniel Artest.

Payton Wales:  What you are doing now in relation to basketball?

Daniel Artest: Right now, I'm just doing a lot of teaching, coaching young kids and what not. I'm actually going to be working with this freshman in high school. He's really good, started as a frosh on his varsity team. I know with my knowledge and experience I can help him be the best.

PW: Very cool. It’s always good to hear about someone coaching young men. Speaking of which, you are a family man, raising three-fifths of a starting squad. Tell us about them.

DA: I am very blessed. I have three sons: the twins, Josiah and Nathaniel, are 2 years old, and then the youngest is Elijah who is 10 months. They, along with my wife, are all huge blessings in my life. 

PW:  Speaking of family, you and Ron must have had some battles on the courts growing up. If you and Ron played to a game of 11, what’s the final score?

DA: 10-10. But we won’t finish (laughs) because we’ll argue about the score. 

PW: Nice, sounds like my brother and I. Basketball has taken you a lot of places worldwide. What are your favorite places to play ball in the world? Best courts? Best competition?

DA:  I’ve played everywhere: Rucker Park, The Cage (W. 4th St.), Venice Beach in California, and at home in QB. Those are some of the best courts in the world. There is great competition there, plus all of the history that goes along with those places makes them great. The best competition overall is hands-down NYC. Playing at home made me a tough player. When I go out of town to play, I find that they have never really played against a physical player. It's a long night for them.

PW: We’ve talked before about how hard it is for others to play against you, but who is the best or most unstoppable player you have played against, outside of Ron? 

DA: Oh man … too many to name but @Chomocide (Corey Williams) is probably one of the best I've seen.  

(Editor’s note:  For those of you who don’t know who Corey Williams is. He is a 6-foot-3 guard from the Bronx who brought the pain while playing at Alabama State University and is currently crushing people in Australia for the Melbourne Tigers gaining 2010 MVP honors.)

PW: If you could play any other sport for a living, what would it be?

DA: I really can't see myself playing nothing but basketball. I love hooping.

PW: Fair answer. Who are your favorite teams, from the pros down to high school?

DA: San Antonio Spurs, St. John's Red Storm, Lasalle Academy (Ron's high school)

PW: Music is a big part of basketball culture and your brother is very involved in the music community. Is music just as important to you? If so, what’s your preferred genre?

DA: Music is important to me. It’s been in my life just as long as ball. I'm the type of person that's in love with my radio. I listen to a lot of stuff, but I love to listen to hip hop.

PW: What’s the first album you can remember listening to and falling in love with?

DA: Busta Rhymes "The Coming." I've always been a fan of his since I was a little kid. He’s extremely talented, funny and full of energy.

PW: What is the album that most reminds you of growing up?

DA:  Hard to pick just one. NYC was the home to great music when I was growing up. In the Bronx, you had Big Pun (Capital Punishment, 1999). In Queens, you had Mobb Deep (The Imfamous, 1995), Nas (Illmatic, 1994;  It Was Written 1996) and Capone & Norega (aka CNN, The War Report, 1997).

Mahattan was Mase (Harlem World. 1997), Diddy (No Way Out, 1997) and Camron (Confessions of Fire, 1998). In Brooklyn, Jay-Z (Reasonable Doubt, 1996; In My Lifetime Vol. 1, 1997), Biggie (Ready to Die,1994;  Life After Death, 1997) and Staten Island was the Wu Tang Clan (Enter the 36 Chambers, 1993; Forever, 1997). It was amazing back in the early to mid-90s.

PW: What album or song do you feel exemplifies your life?

DA:  "In The Zone" by the late Wayman Tisdale. It's a jazz album. Once I'm in my zone, it's hard to stop me,  whether it's basketball or life.

PW: Is there a song that reminds you of your first crush? Who was the crush?

DA: Maxwell, "This Women's Work." My first crush was my wife Amber Artest. Once I met her, I've had to have her forever and now I do.

PW: What are the top 10 songs on your iPod/mp3 player.
DA: 1. Styles P: "Born in these streets"

2. The Beatles: "Eleanor Rigby"

3. Sam Cooke: "Basin Street Blues"

4. Busta Rhymes: "Show me what you got"

5. The Beatles: "PS, I Love You"

6. Wayman Tisdale: "Watch Me Play"

7. Ron Artest: "Champions"

8. Busta Rhymes: "Enjoy The Ride"

9. The Beatles: "HELP"

10. Jenn-Jenn: "Close Your Eyes"

PW: What song are you ashamed to admit you like? Why do you like it?

DA: "Love Me Do" by The Beatles. I just think it's catchy.

PW: Who is an artist that people would be surprised to hear you like. Why do you like them?

DA:  Israel and New Breed. They're gospel. A lot of people don't listen to gospel. I love it because it's uplifting, and when I'm down, I rely on God's word to lift me up.

PW: You’re from Queens Bridge. There are a lot of great hip hop artists that have come out of there, Nas being one of them. Who are some artists from there people don’t know about?

DA:  Nature, Cormega, World Wide Warriors, Bars & Hooks. They are dope rappers.

PW: Do you get down with rock ‘n’ roll? If so, what’s your absolute must-have album?

DA: I really don't listen to rock 'n' roll. I guess anything by the Beatles.

PW: Who is an artist you think is crazy but brilliant all at once? Why?

DA:  Lady GaGa. Why? Because she's "crazy and brilliant." (laughs)

PW: What current hip-hop artist do you still see yourself listening to 10 years from now?

DA: None. Today’s artists aren't good. I only listen to mid-90s hip hop.

PW: Has a song ever made you cry? If so, which one?

DA:  "You Are Worthy." It’s a gospel song that bought me to tears.

PW: What do you think is the perfect wedding song?

DA: "Share My Life" by Kem. It's a great song. The words are amazing.

PW: Song you want played at you memorial service. Why? Who would you want to sing it?

DA:  I'm too young to think about dying. (laughs)

PW: Music someone would have heard if they were walking around your house when you were a kid.

DA: A lot of "The Temptations" music.

PW: What artist do you wish you could be or have their talent?

DA: Styles P. He's a lyrical genius.

PW: If you could have any person from any era sing you happy birthday, who would it be?

DA: Whitney Houston. She's an amazing singer, very beautiful and powerful voice.

PW: Your brother is tied to music in a strong way with his own music label and career, but what song not written by Ron himself reminds you of your brother?

DA: "Ante up" by M.O.P. That song is like Ron on the court, all energy!

I am Daniel M Artest and I approve this message. {end}

Los Angeles Lakers: Round 2 Preview

LOS ANGELES-- The Lakers finished off the Hornets rather easily in their first-round matchup. But to hear the critics tell it, they struggled to win the series, 4-2.

In the Lakers' two losses, the Hornets played as close to perfect as a team and a point guard, Chris Paul, can play. And they won ... barely. In almost all of the Lakers' wins, the outcome was decided before the fourth quarter even started, something contenders like the Heat and Bulls cannot lay claim to.

Critics tell an entirely different story when it comes to those teams. They talk of their dominance and how easily they dispatched their opponents. It's a falsehood. Perhaps that is the reason so many critics have picked the Lakers to lose this series. Why they picked Dallas to win, a team critics said had no chance at making it to Round 2. They were too old, too tired, too disjointed. Now, after dispatching the Trailblazers, they are Laker killers.

What would prompt such outrageous claims outside of the world of jealousy and a hatred for dominance?

Maybe it's the make up of the Mavericks. True, they are old and slower, but they have their perks too. Dirk Nowitzki is damn near unguardable and was absolutely unconscious as a player to start this season. He is still hungry, he wants to win terribly bad and witnessing that means the Mavericks will go as far as he can carry them. And that might be the Mavericks downfall.

Jason Kidd is there, an older and slower version but still steady, smart, crafty and a now beyond capable outside jump shooter. Kidd can still lead a team and still has a knack for coming up big when it counts. His downfall is he is slow enough for someone like Derek Fisher to guard and for someone like Matt Barnes to dominate.

Tyson Chandler has emerged as a defensive presence in the paint, helping to anchor a Dallas defense that in previous years had been known as soft. Chandler should disrupt the paint for the Mavericks and help on the boards, but he won't prevent a bigger, stronger, faster Andrew Bynum from continuing his emergence as the league's second-best center. Chandler will not be able to match Bynum's offensive output.

From there, the matchup gaps become redily apparant, well, minus Mark Cuban's running snark and commentary. But honestly, who can possibly match up with that?

Pau Gasol will give Nowitzki just as much trouble on the offensive end, and the people who claim Shawn Marion, DeShawn Stevenson or a 70-percent healthy Caron Butler can hold Kobe Bryant in check are in for a rude awakening. Bryant may be aging, but that age has him at the third-best player in the world instead of first or second. Ron Artest will be a nightmare for Marion, or anyone else he guards, while Matt Barnes will finish you off what Artest doesn't do first.

The X-factor, as usual, is Lamar Odom. As he goes, so will the Lakers bench. When he gets going, so do they. With no one to guard Odom, the second string will see various opportunities open up for all the role players. As we saw this season, the Lakers bench is more than capable of lighting up opposition just like the first team does.

It comes down to depth as well as offensive and defensive weapons, and the Lakers have them in abundance, not even considering the Lakers' experience making it to the Finals or their success against the Mavericks throughout the last decade. Dallas may have three players who can make life tough for the Lakers, but Los Angeles has six or seven of their own, and that will prove to be too much for the Mavericks.

Of course if critics tell it, Lakers equals Kobe Bryant and he, according to them, is washed up, no longer consistently great. Only time will tell, but when the dust settles out west, the Lakers will be the only gunslingers still standing.

Series Prediction: Lakers in 5

Keys to Winning:
-- Establish the post presence early
-- Heavy focus on the defense of Jason Terry, Marion and possibly Butler, if he plays.
-- Getting Lamar Odom involved and productive. His productiviy will improve the rest of the bench.
-- Make Mark Cuban lose his mind. This should be the most entertaining part of this series.

Lakers v. Hornets: Game 5 Preview

LOS ANGELES --  Game 5. Most Lakers fans would expect this to be an elimination game for the Hornets. Instead, the Lakers enter this game tied 2-2 in the series. The news doesn't get any easier from there. The Lakers' main scoring option, Kobe Bryant, has a severe left ankle sprain that occurred in Game 4.

Bryant, who has refused to have an X-ray or MRI performed, insists he will play in Game 5 no matter what and has received around-the-clock treatment in preparation for the game. With no question about Bryant's will to compete, the only question left is do the rest of the Lakers?

In their two losses, the Lakers have seemed anything but ready to compete. True, players like Ron Artest and Andrew Bynum have shown up for every game and posted great numbers, but the Lakers' normally steady and consistent players Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom have struggled in the series, even seeming passive and content at times.

The Hornets have been near perfect in their wins with their bench players and starting point guard Chris Paul posting career numbers in those matchups. To say they have been anything short of brilliant would be an insult. Aaron Gray has provided a huge lift off the bench, proving to be a disruption to Gasol's game. Jarrett Jack has played excellent as well with his high shooting percentage and heroics all contributing to the Game 4 victory.

The Lakers have been here before -- as recently as last year when they played the young, up-and-coming Oklahoma City Thunder. Again with the series tied 2-2, the Lakers found that sense of urgency and put together a great playoff run on their way to the title. This Game 5 will be pivotal for both teams. Whoever takes this game will control their destiny, forcing the other team to win two games in a row to get their playoff miracle.

The positon the Lakers are in is one coach Phil Jackson feels plays to the teams strengths, saying, "They certainly play better when they're in a desperate mode, there's no doubt about that." When asked about his teams demeanor toward Game 5, Jackson said, "They were somber. They understand the nature of we to have to do with this ballclub."

One thing is for sure, the Hornets are not taking this lightly, and they don't feel as though they have accomplished anything yet. Rather, they have been humble, almost fearful, that at any moment the Lakers could flip a switch and end the series with ease. It's with calm and catioun that they fight for every possesion, something the Lakers should take note of.

If Paul can come out and dominate the Lakers' defense as he has in Games 1 and 4, the Lakers may find themselves digging out of the grave in Game 6. But if history tells us anything, it is the Lakers will get themselves aligned for the next two games and make sure they deny Paul the opportunity to sting them any more than he has already.