NBA champion Metta World Peace (Ron Artest) joins Patrick Bet-David for a powerful sit-down on his Lakers legacy, defending Kobe, MJ, and LeBron, the Malice at the Palace, his Knicks coaching dream, and how American basketball lost its edge.
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Episode Breakdown
“Kobe Passed Me the Ball”: Role Reversal and Redemption
The interview opens with Metta reflecting on his time with Kobe Bryant and the Lakers, particularly Game 7 of the 2010 NBA Finals. Kobe, despite having an off night, passed Artest the ball for a crucial three-pointer. That moment changed Metta’s career narrative.
“Kobe passed me the ball. I’m not gonna say it changed my life—but it added a few things.”
He describes the humility required to go from a 20+ ppg scorer to a role player in his prime. The sacrifice, while costly financially, paid off in legacy.
Kobe, Phil, and Lakers Culture
Metta shares the story of how he signed with the Lakers—negotiated informally at a hotel bar with team owner Dr. Jerry Buss. There were no agents, no theatrics—just respect and trust.
He reveals Kobe’s intensity, how little they spoke early on, and how Kobe recruited him knowing he had “that fire.” Phil Jackson, he says, knew how to manage egos like few others, and Metta continued to seek Phil’s coaching advice even years later.
The Malice at the Palace: “He Lost Me Tens of Millions”
The heart of the interview centers around the 2004 brawl in Detroit between the Pacers and Pistons—a defining moment of Metta’s career.
He revisits the buildup: the rivalry with Ben Wallace, the foul, the cup thrown by a fan (John Green), and the chaos that followed. Metta clears the record—he had never been friends with Ben, and tensions were always real, not media-generated.
“He bet the guy $50 he could hit me. Then John threw the cup.”
The result? Suspension, public fallout, and lost opportunities—but he expresses more compassion than bitterness. As a mental health advocate and board member at UCLA’s psychiatric department, he reflects on both his own mindset and that of the fan who triggered the chaos.
Breaking Jordan’s Ribs: A Painful Accident
Another bombshell: Metta recalls accidentally breaking Michael Jordan’s ribs during a pickup game in 2001.
“I went home and didn’t leave the house for two days.”
Jordan, who was prepping for his Wizards comeback, later reassured him. But the moment left a lasting emotional imprint—Metta had hurt his idol.
Locker Room Fights, Trash Talk, and the Culture of Toughness
The interview dives into the NBA’s grittier past. Metta discusses:
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Fights with teammates like Elton Brand
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“Mama jokes” from fans that crossed the line
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The difference between then and now: “Back then, we weren’t friends. That’s what made the league tough.”
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Why today’s stars seem more “coronated” than earned—like Anthony Edwards or media-hyped rookies
He compares defensive anchors like Marc Gasol and LeBron James, even suggesting LeBron had a legitimate claim to Defensive Player of the Year.
The Rise of International Players and the Culture Shift
Metta points out that recent MVPs—Jokic, Embiid, Giannis—are all international, attributing this trend to cultural shifts in the U.S.:
“In America, we have a culture problem. Kids want Instagram fame more than hard work.”
He brings up Mikey Williams, a high schooler with millions of followers but distractions off the court, as an example.
Circuit City, Boxing, and Family Legacy
In a moment of levity, Metta reveals he once worked at Circuit City during his rookie season, just because he wanted a job. The managers didn’t believe he was in the NBA until media stories confirmed it.
He also speaks fondly of his father, a former boxer, whose legacy inspired his own toughness and discipline. A quick online search even pulls up his dad’s boxing record.
Legacy, Regret, and Brotherhood
The interview ends on an emotional note. Metta reflects on his years with the Indiana Pacers, describing those as his best—not because of stats, but because of camaraderie.
“Those last few years in Indiana—Jamal, Jermaine, Al—you guys made me feel like I was Superman.”
Though haunted by the Palace brawl and what it cost him, he now embraces his story with maturity, mental health advocacy, and deep respect for the game and its legends.
Final Thoughts: A Raw Memoir in Real Time
This conversation with Metta World Peace is far more than a basketball retrospective. It’s a psychological profile, a cultural critique, and a redemption arc in real time.
It’s also a reminder that behind every highlight reel and headline, there’s a complex human story—one Metta is finally ready to tell without reservation.
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Highlights & Standout Moments
1. “Left $20M On The Table” – Metta World Peace CHOSE Playing With Kobe Over A MASSIVE NBA Contract
Metta World Peace (Ron Artest) tells Patrick Bet-David how the Lakers recruited him right after beating his Rockets. He opens up about his first intense practices with Kobe Bryant, choosing legacy over money, and defending MJ, Kobe, and LeBron during his 19-year NBA career.
2. “Called Me Cement Feet” – Metta World Peace REVEALS Phil Jackson’s STRANGE Way To Motivate Champions
Metta World Peace joins Patrick Bet-David to talk Kobe’s mind games, his wild first Lakers practice, tension with Phil Jackson, and why he chose legacy over a bigger contract. Plus: behind-the-scenes drama with Sasha Vujacic, Adam Morrison, and the psycho 2010 Lakers roster.
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