Metta World Peace

Metta World Peace was ejected from the Los Angeles Lakers’ 114-106 double overtime win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday after receiving a flagrant foul 2 for hitting James Harden in the head with his elbow.

World Peace threw down a dunk to draw the Lakers to within one, 48-47, with 1:39 remaining in the second quarter.

As he made his way back up the court, World Peace started to beat his chest in celebration before striking Harden, who was behind him, in the back of the head with his left elbow, causing the Oklahoma City guard to fall to the floor.

Harden stayed down and play was stopped for several minutes while the referees separated Lakers and Thunder players who were arguing and the flagrant 2 determination was only made after the collision was reviewed on a video monitor at center court.

ESPN.com

“I think a lot of us made a lot of selfish decisions that day. I made a selfish decision to stop trying to break it up and to confront Lindsey Hunter and Richard Hamilton. That was my selfish decision. Ron made a selfish decision by going into the stands. We all made selfish decisions, but at the same time, we were protecting each other. It’s kind of hard to see if that’s right or wrong.”

— Stephen Jackson

For the full story, go to Grantland.com

Ron Artest

Ron Artest will visit the Cheshire Jets in Britain later this month to discuss playing for them during the lockout, Artest’s publicist, Courtney Barnes, told the Los Angeles Times on Tuesday night.

The newspaper, which had reported earlier Tuesday that Artest would play with the Jets, said Artest will be in the United Kingdom Aug. 18-23.

A post on Artest’s Twitter page read: “Go Jets!!!!! Uk , here we come!!! Jets are the best!!! Jets are the best!!! New chant!!!!!!!!!”

ESPN.com

Ron Artest

Long story short — anyone looking to officially change their name in the State of California has to get a public declaration of the name change printed in a local newspaper 4 times — once a week, 4 weeks in a row.

On July 19th, Ron’s last declaration to become Metta World Peace was published in the L.A. Daily Commerce.

The name change will not become official until August 26th when a judge is scheduled to sign the order.

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Ron Artest

Ron Artest said he is going overseas to play during the lockout, but not where you might think.

Instead of playing for one of the prestigious teams in southern Europe, he plans to play for either the Cheshire Jets or Glasgow Rocks of the British Basketball League.

“The teams aren’t good, but I’m going there to finish a movie, so why not?” he said.

Real GM

Ron Artest

Is Ron Artest really heading to Finland to play professional basketball?

Amid various Internet reports indicating Artest plans to play for a Finland professional basketball team, agent David Bauman said they aren’t true and are nothing more than a “publicity stunt.”

“I’m his agent and nothing has come across my desk,” Bauman said.

“Although Ron has asked me to explore all options over in Europe in the event of a prolonged lockout, there are several legal and business considerations that have to be addressed. The biggest one involves insurance. None of those have been addressed and I don’t even know who this guy claiming to have an agreement is. Final thing is what if the league has a lockout for say two weeks and then [ends] up getting a deal.”

FanNation

Ron Artest

Ron Artest has filed a petition to legally change his name to Metta World Peace.

Requests for a name change are typically granted in most cases.

Artest would put his new last name on the back of his jersey.

Real GM

Josh Smith

Jeff Schultz of the Atlanta Journal Constitution has suggested that it may be time for the Hawks to move Josh Smith in an attempt to finally land a legitimate center.

The Los Angeles Lakers are one team that is reportedly thinking about a roster shakeup and many have speculated whether Pau Gasol or Andrew Bynum may be available this offseason.

A trade of Josh Smith and Kirk Hinrich in exchange for Andrew Bynum and Ron Artest works financially and could be mutually beneficial in a basketball sense as well.

Bleacher Report

Rick Adelman

Among a cast of options in L.A., though seemingly not as long as the parade in Houston, is the Rockets’ former coach Rick Adelman.

Adelman was just fired by the Houston Rockets. Adelman, who will be 65 in June, has loads of experience. He has also been the coach with the Golden State Warriors, Portland Trail Blazers and Sacramento Kings.

He runs an offensive system called “corner,” similar to the triangle, with more spontaneous pick-and-roll plays.

Adelman took the Trail Blazers to the NBA finals twice, losing in 1990 to the Detroit Pistons and 1992 to Jackson’s Chicago Bulls. Adelman is considered particularly good at working with big men and commands the respect of his players. Also, he has coached Ron Artest twice, in Sacramento and Houston.

FanNation