Ronald William Artest, Jr. is your best friend

latimes:

A funny thing happened to Ron Artest, columnist Bill Plaschke writes. First he changed his name, now he’s hosting a comedy tour.

“I changed my name because I got tired of Ron Artest, he’s a [expletive],” said Metta World Peace. “And when fans get mad at me, they can’t say, ‘I hate World Peace.’ “

Wanting to give World Peace a chance, I met the Lakers forward in his first public appearance since he petitioned to legally change his name earlier this summer. We shook hands and I called him Ron. I didn’t use his new first name because, frankly, I had no idea which part was his first name.

“World Peace is going on the back of my jersey, so Metta is my first name,” he said. “It’s Buddhist, but I’m Baptist.”

Photo: Artest made his comedy debut Friday night at the Improv Hollywood. Credit: Mariah Tauger / Los Angeles Times

(Source: Los Angeles Times)