Latest news with #MettaWorldPeace
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Metta World Peace on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander being ‘better than Michael Jordan'
The post Metta World Peace on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander being 'better than Michael Jordan' appeared first on ClutchPoints. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander just delivered a season that basketball fans will be talking about for decades. He led the Oklahoma City Thunder to an NBA championship, battling through a thrilling seven-game series against the Indiana Pacers, per AthlonSports. Along the way, he claimed the league's scoring title, won regular season MVP, and took home Finals MVP honors. That combination has only been accomplished by three others in league history: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Shaquille O'Neal, and Michael Jordan. Advertisement Naturally, that kind of season demands conversations about greatness. But Metta World Peace, the former NBA champion and Defensive Player of the Year, took it to another level. On social media and in recent interviews, he claimed, 'At times, Shai is better than MJ.' Fans were stunned, critics shook their heads, but Metta meant every word. And he didn't walk it back. Instead, he added context on the podcast Casuals with Katie Nolan, saying, 'Michael Jordan's done things nobody has ever done, and it looks so elegant. But SGA, the way he plays the game, through the legs, behind the back, step back, crossover, spins, it's exactly how he wants to play it.' A New Kind of Greatness Gilgeous-Alexander's playing style has become one of the smoothest in the league. He doesn't rely on brute strength or explosive dunks. His footwork, rhythm, and control turn games into highlight reels, but not in the way that overwhelms. He picks his spots, controls the tempo, and makes elite defenders look ordinary. To Metta's point, it's not about Shai copying Jordan's dominance. It's about the way he has carved out his own lane. Advertisement Jordan was an assassin who struck with speed and precision. Shai feels more like a tactician, crafting each move with patience and creativity. His ability to stay calm in pressure moments and hit tough shots from all angles is a skill set that has separated him from his peers. And now, it is starting to place him in a different conversation altogether. Metta World Peace didn't say Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is better than Michael Jordan in every way. He simply pointed out what some fans have started to see: in certain moments, on certain nights, Gilgeous-Alexander plays a brand of basketball that feels just as legendary. Related: Fans react to Nick Young going off on Gilbert Arenas for being a 'Kobe hater' Related: Pat McAfee finally explains WWE absence
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Former DPOY Breaks Down How He Guarded Young LeBron James After Strong Comments
Former DPOY Breaks Down How He Guarded Young LeBron James After Strong Comments originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Cleveland Cavaliers selected LeBron James with the first overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft. James entered the NBA straight out of high school and averaged 20.9 points, 5.5 rebounds and 5.9 assists as a rookie. Advertisement A top 75 player of all time, James is the leading scorer in NBA history. He has scored the most points in the regular season and postseason despite being guarded by some elite defenders. On the latest "Mind the Game" episode with Steve Nash, a fan asked James and Nash who the greatest defensive players they faced were. James, 40, went with Ron Artest, who is now known as Metta World Peace. "Ron Artest was, you know, Metta World Peace now, oh my goodness, really good with his hands," James said. "Latterly was really good. Strong as an ox. You know, I played against him my early years when he was in Indiana. "I mean, you know, it was challenging, you know, for sure. You know, it was one of the best defenders probably I've played against." Advertisement Artest saw James' quote about him and sent a message to The King. The "Mind the Game" podcast X account posted Artest's message, where the former NBA forward broke down how he guarded James when he was younger. Artest won the 2004 Defensive Player of the Year Award with the Indiana Pacers. He made four All-Defensive Teams during his 17-year career. A one-time All-Star, Artest played for the Chicago Bulls, Pacers, Sacramento Kings, Houston Rockets, Lakers (twice) and New York Knicks. He helped Los Angeles with the 2010 championship against the Boston Celtics. In 991 NBA games, Artest averaged 13.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.7 steals and 0.5 blocks. Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James is the oldest active player in the NBA. © Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images James, 40, is the oldest active player in the league. He averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds and 8.2 assists for the Lakers this season. Advertisement The four-time MVP and four-time Finals MVP made the All-NBA Second Team. A future Hall of Famer, James is the only player in NBA history to rank top five all-time in points and assists. He is arguably the most versatile player of all time. Related: Former NBA Exec Reveals 'Most Amazing Thing' About LeBron James This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 22, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
LeBron James Names One of the Best NBA Defenders He Ever Faced Without Hesitation
LeBron James Names One of the Best NBA Defenders He Ever Faced Without Hesitation originally appeared on Athlon Sports. LeBron James entered the NBA in 2003 straight out of high school. The Cleveland Cavaliers drafted him with the No. 1 overall pick in the loaded 2003 NBA Draft, which featured future Hall of Famers Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. Advertisement James has played for the Cavaliers (twice), Miami Heat and the Los Angeles Lakers. He has won four MVPs, four championships, four Finals MVPs, one scoring title and one assists title. A top 75 player of all time, James is the leading scorer in NBA history. He has scored the most points in the regular season and postseason despite playing some elite defenders. On the latest "Mind the Game" episode with Steve Nash, a fan asked James and Nash who the greatest defensive players they faced were. LeBron James gave Ron Artest his flowers. Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images James, 40, went with Ron Artest, who is now known as Metta World Peace. "Ron Artest was, you know, Metta World Peace now, oh my goodness, really good with his hands," James said. "Latterly was really good. Strong as an ox. You know, I played against him my early years when he was in Indiana. Advertisement "I mean, you know, it was challenging, you know, for sure. You know, it was one of the best defenders probably I've played against." Artest won the 2004 Defensive Player of the Year Award with the Indiana Pacers. He made four All-Defensive Teams during his 17-year career. A one-time All-Star, Artest played for the Chicago Bulls, Pacers, Sacramento Kings, Houston Rockets, Lakers (twice) and Knicks. He helped Los Angeles with the 2010 championship against the Boston Celtics. In 991 NBA games, Artest averaged 13.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.7 steals and 0.5 blocks. Related: LeBron James Urged to Make 'Substantial Sacrifice' for Lakers Next Season This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 17, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Kobe Bryant's Former Teammate Sends Message to LeBron James on Tuesday
Kobe Bryant's Former Teammate Sends Message to LeBron James on Tuesday originally appeared on Athlon Sports. On the latest "Mind the Game" episode, a fan asked Hall of Famer Steve Nash and Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James who the greatest defensive players they faced were. Advertisement James answered first and went with Ron Artest, who is now known as Metta World Peace. "Ron Artest was, you know, Metta World Peace now, oh my goodness, really good with his hands," James said. "Latterly was really good. Strong as an ox. You know, I played against him my early years when he was in Indiana. "I mean, you know, it was challenging, you know, for sure. You know, it was one of the best defenders probably I've played against." Artest heard James' praise of him, as the 2004 NBA Defensive Player of the Year took to social media to thank The King. In 991 NBA games with the Chicago Bulls, Indiana Pacers, Sacramento Kings, Houston Rockets, Lakers and New York Knicks, Artest averaged 13.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.7 steals and 0.5 blocks. Advertisement The forward made four All-Defensive Teams during his 17-year career. Artest was teammates with the late great Kobe Bryant on the Lakers. The two players helped Los Angeles win the 2010 title against the Boston Celtics in seven games. Bryant captured his fifth championship and second Finals MVP, while Artest won his first ring. LeBron James got a message from Ron Artest. © Soobum Im-Imagn Images Artest's final NBA season was in 2016-17 with the Lakers, the franchise James currently plays for. The leading scorer of all time won his fourth championship and fourth Finals MVP with Los Angeles in 2020. Bryant tragically passed away in January 2020 in a helicopter crash. Both of his numbers (8, 24) are retired by the Lakers. Advertisement Related: LeBron James Urged to Make 'Substantial Sacrifice' for Lakers Next Season This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 17, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Why Draymond Green wants Metta World Peace to get Knicks coaching job
The post Why Draymond Green wants Metta World Peace to get Knicks coaching job appeared first on ClutchPoints. Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green publicly backed Metta Sandiford-Artest, also known as Metta World Peace, for the New York Knicks' vacant head coaching position during a recent episode of The Draymond Green Show. Green's endorsement came in response to the Knicks' decision to part ways with head coach Tom Thibodeau last Tuesday following their Eastern Conference Finals loss to the Indiana Pacers. Advertisement Green emphasized the importance of player respect and championship experience in any potential coaching hire, pointing to Sandiford-Artest's credibility among current and former players. 'When I look at the Knicks and I take a step back, I'm like, yo, they have to have someone as the coach that is respected amongst the players that they play, but that's also respected amongst the players that they have on their team or they're going to make a big mistake,' Green said. 'So when I look at it, and I'll be honest with you, when you threw your name in the hat I'm like, I never knew Metta was going to coach. But when I look at their situation they need someone like you.' Draymond Green pushes Metta Sandiford-Artest for Knicks coaching job Sandiford-Artest responded by highlighting his commitment to coaching at the grassroots level, even without compensation. Advertisement 'I couldn't get an interview from my alma mater, but what I did do was coaching,' he said. 'I wasn't just sitting home waiting. I was coaching and you're talking about 6:00 AM practices. So what time am I up everyday? At 5:00 AM. That's way harder… to not get paid as a volunteer coach, taking the job serious. And we don't have a budget at Division Two basketball. We got to go on Southwest, I'm on Southwest, we driving vans and we get it out. This is for six years, this is what people don't realize.' Green further argued that the next coach should carry the weight of championship pedigree, something he and Sandiford-Artest both possess. 'When people have never won a championship they don't understand the value of that thing,' Green said, 'which is how important it is that the people that walk past your bench have respect for your bench.' The Knicks have yet to name a replacement for Thibodeau, who coached the team for five seasons, compiling a 226–174 regular-season record. As the franchise continues its search, Sandiford-Artest's name — alongside others floated by analysts — remains a bold and unconventional option. Related: Jalen Brunson gets brutally honest on Tom Thibodeau after Knicks firing Related: Knicks rumors: Brian Windhorst insists Kevin Durant 'definitely' interested in trade
