Metta World Peace is taking his talents to China this season, and he’s commemorating the move by adopting yet another new name: Panda Friend.
No, we’re serious.
China Daily reported Thursday that the artist formerly known as Ron Artest will take on the new moniker in conjunction with his leap from the NBA to the Chinese Basketball Association. World Peace hasn’t confirmed the new name, but he tweeted earlier this week that change is in store.
[tweet https://twitter.com/MettaWorldPeace/statuses/496497216023199744 align=’center’]
The 34-year-old played in 29 games for the New York Knicks last season, averaging 4.8 points and 2.0 rebounds. His one-year, $1.43 million contract with the Sichuan Blue Whales makes him the CBA’s highest-paid import player.
Is Panda Friend a ridiculous name? Of course it is. But does anything Ron Artest does really surprise you anymore?
