Ron Artest, Basketball | featured news

This may be the last time Los Angeles Lakers forward Ron Artest will answer to that name.

Yesterday, Ron Artest's attorney filed a petition in Los Angeles Superior Court seeking to change the Los Angeles Lakers forward's name to Metta World Peace. Born Ronald William Artest Jr., the 31-year-old cited personal reasons for wanting to make the change. This is not the first time a sports personality has changed their monicker, neither is it the first time a musician has changed their name. After the jump, a list of the weirdest name changes we can remember.

As if things weren't already looking bleak for the Lakers, there's a good chance they will have to play Game 3 of their Western Conference semifinals series against the Mavericks without forward Ron Artest.

Ron Artest proved it in his opening-minute scuffle with Paul Pierce, tumbling to the ground with a vise grip on the Celtics star's elbow....

Kobe Bryant scored 26 points, Ron Artest added 15 points and five steals, and the Los Angeles Lakers raced away from the Phoenix Suns in the second half of their ninth straight victory, 108-88 Sunday night.

Pau Gasol scored 14 points for the well-rested Lakers, who improved to an NBA-best 16-3 with their second home win in 24 days over road-weary Phoenix.