Metta World Peace Jersey Revealed At Lakers Media Day

The time has come for Metta World Peace...

The Los Angeles Laker formally known as Ron Artest revealed his new #15 jersey over the weekend at the LA Lakers Annual Media Day -- and as everyone anticipated, "World Peace" was in bold across his back.

Angelenos and basketball fans took to Twitter to talk about the new jersey. @Lakers_Examiner wrote, "Metta World Peace debuts new jersey on media day for Los Angeles Lakers http://shar.es/oQvbP #Lakers #MettaWorldPeace". Others were not so neutral. @Allan Mathew_ wrote, "#RonArtest is #MettaWorldPeace what is wrong with that man? He's dumber than most rappers, and he is a pseudo-rapper."

The NBA even officially changed the often outspoken Forward's profile on the Lakers online roster-- which has been the focus of recent headlines due to the team's trade negotiations.

The highly anticipated Media Day was an opportunity to see the Los Angeles Lakers as a set team post-botched trade deal and with Mike Brown as head coach.

Lamar Odom, the former Laker and beloved reality TV star, was not present as he was recently traded to Dallas. Kobe Bryant spoke out about the absence, he said, "To be honest with you, I don't like it."

The preseason begins on December 19 where a true LA battle will take place: the Los Angeles Lakers versus the Los Angeles Clippers. Until then, browse photos from the Media Day below.

All images courtesy of Getty.

Comments

[mhsu]

11:40 AM on 12/14/2011

"The Los Angeles Laker formally known as Ron Artest revealed his new #15 jersey over the weekend at the LA Lakers Annual Media Day."

I suspect Ms. Blodgett meant to write "*formerly* known as Ron Artest."

[DaBUU]

05:13 PM on 12/13/2011

This guy is unlike most of the head cases in the NBA, there really is something off with him mentally.

[htwhyppe]

01:39 AM on 12/20/2011

As hinted at by his charge into the crowd to hammer a fan. Imagine that huge guy charging a civilian for heckling him. Lakers tarnished their rep with him in the line up.

[threalReginald]

03:15 PM on 12/13/2011

They should just put all the NBA Head Cases one team and we could all just watch in amazement. World Peace, J.R. Smith, Gilbert Arenas, Bird Man, Monta Ellis, Kenyon Martin, Andrew Bynum, Darko Militic, De Shawn Stevenson, DeMarcus Cousins and Kevin Garnett. Coached by Isaiah Thomas. Sign Iverson to a one year veterans minimum make Kobe the franchise player. I would move that team to Cleveland name them Quicken Loans Asylum and then match them up against The Blue Scouts (a team of all Duke Alumni). I need 2K now!

[Havana Thinks]

01:04 AM on 12/13/2011

Why is Celine Dion holding a microphone to World Peace?

[Snarkadelic]

10:45 PM on 12/12/2011

Now you know you can't bust anyone upside the head or flagrant foul anymore, right?

[parrotfish]

06:26 PM on 12/12/2011

Me thinks he has been taking too many elbows to the head on his inside move to the basket.

[leorangerie]

05:26 PM on 12/12/2011

Hey, basketball can use a little humor. Good for him.

[beasteben]

03:09 PM on 12/12/2011

Good for you Ron. Let the haters hate, you are all about love an there is nothing wrong with that.

[22Keys]

01:25 PM on 12/12/2011

[faceplam]

[22Keys]

01:25 PM on 12/12/2011

*palm

[Bishop Coxcomb]

04:28 PM on 12/13/2011

Face psalms.