Metta Sandiford-Artest, formerly known as Metta World Peace and Ron Artest, had himself an NBA career that people won’t forget. He was well respected from the fights he got into to his many accomplishments throughout the league.

Artest did a lot of things people may not have agreed with. He did drink alcohol during games and still went out and performed at a high level.

Metta Sandiford-Artest’s NBA career

Artest began his NBA career in 1999. The Chicago Bulls selected him with the 16th pick of the NBA draft. He played for the Bulls for two and a half years and averaged 12.5 points and 4.2 rebounds during those years. After his rookie season, he was named to the All-Rookie Second Team. After his time in Chicago, he was traded to the Indiana Pacers.

Artest had a lot of success in Indiana. He made his only all-star team while he was with the Pacers, and he also won the Defensive Player of the Year award the same year. Artest averaged 18.3 points, 5.7 assists, and 3.7 assists during the 2003-04 season. During his time in Indiana, Artest was a part of a brawl that would always be remembered throughout NBA history. The Pacers got into an altercation with players and fans of the Detroit Pistons. Artest never backed down from anything or anyone.

After his time in Indiana, he played for numerous other teams throughout his career. He played with the Sacramento Kings, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, and the New York Knicks. When Artest joined the Lakers, he won his first NBA championship in 2010. Artest was a starter on that championship team, and he averaged 11 points and 4.3 rebounds per game during the season. He spent three more seasons with the Lakers and then spent a season with the Knicks. Artest returned to the Lakers to finish his NBA career.

Artest drinking alcohol during games

When Artest was a member of the Lakers in 2009, he said that during his first few seasons, he used to drink alcohol when he played with the Chicago Bulls. In an interview with Sporting News, he said that he would drink Hennessy during halftime. “I (kept it) in my locker. I’d just walk to the liquor store (near the stadium) and get it,” Artest said.

In the interview, Artest talked about why he would drink because the Bulls lost so often. Apparently, that was his way of dealing with loss. The drinking did not last long for Artest as he was out of Chicago after three years.

A look back at Artest’s career

When he first came into the league, people viewed Artest as a bad person on and off the court. Artest had the opportunity to play with one of the best players in the NBA, which was Kobe Bryant. Bryant had his battles with Artest when they played against each other, but when they were teammates, they both had one goal: to win.

Artest matured a lot throughout his NBA career. From him drinking alcohol during games to winning a championship, he went through a lot throughout his career. Not to mention him changing his names multiple times. Either way, Artest will be a player that people will remember throughout the years.