Ron Artest = World Peace

Ron Artest, that wild and crazy guy, has filed a petition in L.A. County Superior Court to change his name to Metta World Peace, with the idea of putting his new last name on the back of his Lakers jersey. Can you see it: “Peace.” By the way, metta means loving, kindness, happiness. TMZ first reported the proposed name change.

Lakers spokesman John Black said “absolutely none,” when asked for his reaction.

Then he laughed.

Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak chuckled when asked about Artest’s plans and said, “It brought a smile to my face. It’s been done before (with Lloyd Free changing his name to World B. Free). But other than that, I don’t have a comment.”