I'm Metta World Peace - NBA champion, entrepreneur, mental health advocate. Ask me stuff!📷

MWP signing off

Thanks Reddit

What prompted the name change and how did you choose your name?

I changed my name because I grew closer to Buddhism from a baptist. I love having the freedom from religion and being more open to all people while living my life.

As a mental health advocate, how do you feel about Naomi Osaka's refusal to participate in press conferences to address her personal struggles with anxiety?

Do you think the NBA and other sports leagues should adopt measures to better manage the relationship between players and the media, especially with the additional pressure players face from social media?

I think it was brave. It is important as athletes and people in general to take care of our mental health #namaste

I think the league is making strides to better manage the relationship. I hope they continue to do so.

Thanks for doing this,

Have you ever encountered a player that made you drop your jaw with how much they improved from the last time you saw them?

julius randle

Hey Metta, thanks for doing this AMA. Who was the funniest teammate you ever had?

mike bibby

how many burgers do you think you could eat in one sitting?

Now I want a burger

Hi Metta, who was your favorite teammate? Or who was a player you hated playing against?

Kobe. Kobe

Hi Metta! Who would you say was the most challenging player to guard during your career? Do you have a story that puts into perspective how good they were?

jordan. gave me 40 points when he was 40 and i was young

Metta, about 10/12 years ago you said you play defense for the ladies. As a defensemen in lacrosse I lived that creed for years. I’ve gotta ask; do you still play defense for the ladies?

i use to love the basketball and entertainment . I always thought it was fun. I don't agree with that comment i made now that i look back at it.

Hey Metta, thanks for doing this AMA. You’re one of my favorite people from the NBA - on and off the court. What’s one advice you would tell your younger self?

Anytime friend.

Advise: have fun youngin

The infamous brawl that happened in in 2004, what was going through your mind from the court to the fan that threw that cup?

i was pissed .

Hi Metta! I was a huge fan of you on Celebrity Big Brother and really thought you added such a fun and entertaining energy to the cast. What was that experience like for you and do you still keep up with the show? Thank you!

Hey Mike, Thanks for watching me on CBB. I still don't fully understand the show, but I made it pretty far because no one saw me as a threat. It was cool for the first few days. Then I missed my wife and tried to escape...

My guy. I bought your jersey the on the way home from the bar after you clocked that guy in the face.

Question: What types of community projects and donations have you been up to lately?

Thanks for buying my jersey.

I have the Artest foundation me and my dad run. We try to give back as much as possible to underprivileged youth.

I grew up in the hood...the key is to remember where you came from and try to give kids the opportunities that were given to you

Hey Metta, huge fan since you joined the Lakers. I remember you being a menace on the defensive end of the ball in the previous year when Houston played the Lakers in I think the WCF?

Anyway my question for you is what was going through your mind when you went from Houston to LA after battling against Kobe the year before ? As a kid I was shocked lol.

In basketball from the streets , its about survival. For Kobe , it was about being the greatest. So when these two characters go head to head, its war

Hey Metta, and thanks for doing this AMA.

Since you have played against Michael Jordan and LeBron James and played with the late Kobe Bryant, how would you rank the trio all-time?

Jordan , Kobe , then King James. Even though King James Career is more impressive to me.

Where do you see yourself, if you never played professional basketball?

Good Question. If i never played ball , i would've probably been a junior high school math teacher , or potential a dope dealer. I was on the verge of both .

Hey Metta! Long time fan. Thank you for this AMA.

In a battle of the five boroughs of NYC, which one would you side with if you couldn't join Queens?

Staten Island

Hey Metta! When you signed basketball cards for companies like Upper Deck or Fleer, what all did the process entail? Did they send to your agent? Was it done through a team manager? Also, what are your feelings about sports cards in general?

I really like sports cards , but i don't like the creative process. I wish i could have had more input on my pictures. They picked pictures i hate.

Thank you so much, Metta!

28 comments

no problem .

When I would do signing , companies would contact my agent or manager and work. out a deal that was a couple of dollars per card. Then they would set up the cards at the practice facility so the players could sign after practice.

How was the process of adapting from being a franchise player to a role player on a championship team ?

Being a franchise player to a role player was an adjustment . It was very difficult. But my goal was to win a championship . So that I did.

How did you feel hitting the “big shot” in the finals vs the Celtics?

legendary

How was your experience with Phil Jackson?

I love phil. He gave me confidence to meditate more.

What was the craziest part of playing Big Brother, and if you could go back in time what would you do differently while playing Big Brother?

If i could go back in to time with big brother , I would probably learned to cook more.

Interested in an upcoming coaching career? I'd love to see you in that role, I think you'd be a great mentor to some young players in the league.

My goal is to win an NBA Championship as a head coach and dedicate it to the streets in which I am from

Hey Metta I hope you're doing well in life. Congrats on your recent (kinda?) marriage. What do you like to do in your free time, and do you play any video games?

In my free time, I like to watch boxing on youtube , and listen to the interviews from up and coming boxers

Have you apologized to James Harden?

si

Hi Metta. I see you’ve been Skip and Shannon to discuss basketball and give your opinion on news around the league. Could you give any insight as to how Skip and Shannon are off-camera?

Skip and Shannon off camera is mostly texting . I am pretty sure they are extremely busy.

What was it like meeting/being interviewed by Nardwuar?

It was funny. i didn't know who he was . but he was full of energy

Hey Metta.

Without naming names, when you see someone in the NBA having mental health issues, do you ever reach out to chat about it? What kind of advice do you think NBA players need when trying to deal with that stuff?

Thanks.

Yes. i always like to reach out to people who might need a little advice. the type of advice they need would be to enjoy life and dont overwhelm yourself with too much burden

Which player do you see the most of yourself in?

the Klaw

You played a long time in the nba who would be the best street fighter and worst street fighter of anyone you played against?

Thanks for doing the ama man it means a lot for you to take the time

Best: The predator (street player from New York)

Worst: Nobody on the pacers team

Anytime

What was the worst part of being on big brother and did you enjoy it?

My husband is your #1 fan! He only watched big brother because you were on there 🤣

not having a phone was terrible

Hey Metta, thanks for doing this. What's something most people don't know about the Malice at the Palace? How do you think your career would have been different if not for that incident?

people don't know that the purposely don't show the fan throwing the cup of beer at me

Favorite piece of sports memorabilia that you own that isn't related to your career?

i pretty much gave everything away

Any chance you can knock out one of the paul brothers for us?

no

Hey metta, always wondered why the NBA has been so much into wine compared to other liquors, what drink was the league into back when you played? When did wine become the thing

I think people have different taste. The difference is now , companies work with minorities more so now you see different things that players like to venture in.

Hi Metta big fan of yours. You were known as one of the toughest NBA players out there that seemed to intimidate other guys. What other players would you put on the list of real tough guy NBA players that you played with or against?

harping , gerald wallce, tony allen, maglore

hi Metta!

What’s your favorite albums/artists of all time?

my favorite artist is probably NAS

Hey Metta! Could you please explain your thoughts and feelings on teeth?

jesus baby teeth

Metta!

You once called Kyrie Irving the 4th greatest NBA player of all time, right above Lebron and below Oscar, MJ, and Kobe

Has your list changed at all since 2016, and what exactly draws you so much to Kyrie?

Thanks

i think kyrie is great. maybe not 4th best , but for sure amazing. maybe top 100 of all time

Hey Metta! Huge fan! You’re known for being an elite defender throughout your career. Who was the hardest player that you’ve had to defend?

Let’s Go Lakers!

Michael Jordan

GOOooo Lakers

Hey Metta. Thanks for your time.

Did you have fun doing Metta World News? And, Who was funnier behind the scenes, Key or Peel?

Cheers!

lots of fun. they were very normal behind the scenes

yes. they both were normal behind the scenes .

Any regrets from your earlier years in the NBA?

not really. sometimes its so far from today , i just like to move forward

Good afternoon Meta, thank you for doing this AMA! As an individual battling anxiety and seeking help, are there any mantras or meditations that help you focus or channel these thoughts? Thank you for all that you do, sir.

i would say relax your forehead , jaws , shoulders and hips before making any decsions

What was it like playing with Kobe?

fun. he was a joy to learn from

How many cats are too many?

3

Hi Metta!! As a guy who was a phenomenal defender in the NBA, what do think is the most important trait for a player to become a great defender? Is it something physical like length, strength, or lateral quickness? Or is it more mental, like intangibles or toughness? Thanks!!

mix your mindset with your physical make up. Everyone's body type is so different. so work with what you have

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we do sports consultation which sometimes lead to ways to find sports therapy. perhaps if you played sports and wanted to do sports therapy consultation , maybe some conversation could lead to other things that can help. DM XvsX Sports on XvsX SPorts app . But i dont personally do counseling. I think making new loyal and trustworthy friends should help

What advice for today's athlete, around sustained entrepreneurship and not getting caught up in low margin investments? Will there be more Davy investors like Steph Curry and Carmelo Anthony?

biggest investment is teaching yourself and educating your family.

Do you remember when, as a Laker, you and Mark Gasol collided during a game? I don't know what Pau was thinking at that moment.... I do know that I was sending major props to you for holding it together as you stumbled away, instead of lashing out, and I always wanted to acknowledge that. High five many years later!

ugh. i was so upset. i remember. the ref didn't call the foul

Your bits on Key and Peele are some of my favorite pieces of comedy, full stop. What was the process of making those like?

i loved those. i wish i wouldve kept that going . i was suppose to do one episode , but they said they liked it , and kept it for the entire season

Would you want to go on the no chill podcast with Gilbert Arenas?

of course. gil is funny

Hey Metta, what was the team atmosphere like when you guys lost to the Pistons in the ECF in '04?

Also, what went through your head right after you sent the Lakers to the Finals in 2010 with that insane shot against the Suns?

we thought they were the better team. we was very upset.but the best team won. i was over the top with the buzzer beater because you always dream of doing that as a kid.

What advice would you give to a person entering college who wants to work in the Front Office in the future?

network. learn and play sports. try to understand what players go through

Hey Metta, what's the best regular season or playoff game you ever played in and why? What about the most memorable, besides malice in the palace?

a game with pacers vs sixers. i was cooking. man i wish i finished that season

What advice would you give a parent who is raising a young kid in today's world?

keep them focused. teach them values and morals

What is it like to change your original name to something that you wanted it to be? Would you recommend it for others who have thought about doing the same thing?

its very cool to be able to change your name if you want. recommended

Hey, Metta. What was it like breaking Michael Jordan's ribs?

sad

Favorite achievement and least favorite achievement?

DPoy is my fave

​

1 ring is my least fave

Hi Metta! Huge fan of Big Brother here, and you were one of my faves on S1 of Celebrity Big Brother! I was wondering, how confused were you when you voted out Chuck? That scene will be one of my favorites forever

lol. i thought i voted yes to keep him

Hey metta, longtime fan. Which player in the league do you see as resembling your game the most?

the klaw

hey thanks for doing the ama. what do you think about all the old heads like scottie pippen hating on the current batch of stars?

no comment

What do you hope to be reincarnated as?

hard to say. i am not even sure thats possible:)

What advice would you give to a young kid growing up in today's world?

meditate and learn

Throughout your time in the NBA what was that ONE restaurant in that ONE city you had to visit every time?

Mukunis in sacramento

When and who are you boxing?

i will be boxing in september on xvsxsports.com

What was it like being on celebrity big brother?

stressful

What young guys do you see flying under the radar who will become threats in league at some point?

powell

powell

What’s up metta! Favorite Kobe memory ?

his 5th ring

Hello Metta, is there any Kobe stories that you would like to share? I believe you would have many of them.

-Love you, thanks for the game 7

i onced rapped with kobe the night we got into a city

Do you regret going into the stands?

you spelled regret wrong

Are you working on any new music my guy?

my sons jeron artest and ron artest are

yes. follow u/saysoentertainment on IG

Hey Metta!! Who’s your favorite boxer to watch at the moment?

the bronze bomber

Hey Metta! Love that you still support Indy after all these years. Would you have any interest in joining Rick Carlisle's coaching staff? They could use a guy like you.

rick will pick an amazing staff

Hello Mr. World Peace!

Is there an active player in the nba who you see yourself in or would like to get to play on the same team as?

the klaw. but i would only want to play against him

I’ll always remember how happy you were when you got a ring. As a non Lakers fan, I was legit happy for you.

Who are the top guys that you want to see get that prize?

pacers and knicks

Do you believe the Pacers could have won in 2004/05? I don't want to be that guy, but do you think they could have?

si

Which current NBA player reminds you the most of yourself?

the klaw

Hey Metta, thanks for doing this AMA. How often are you approached by startups about business opportunities? What would be the best way to get your attention?

linkedin

Hey Metta! Who was your favorite head coach and why?

coach butch from qb back home