Ron Artest, AKA ‘Metta World Peace,’ Speaks On Mental Illness, Kobe Bryant, Jermain O’Neal In New Documentary

Ron Artest, once called “Metta World Peace” and “The Panda’s Friend,” now finds himself drawing a spotlight despite his basketball career well behind him. The 2010 NBA champion and former Defensive Player of the Year recently released a documentary with Showtime where arguably the league’s most controversial player recalls his upbringings, NBA career and how the two interacted. With a shockingly honest approach, Artest spends over an hour detailing his mental illness issues and how they effected his life and career.

Before finding basketball, Artest commences the documentary explaining his hometown Queensbrigde, N.Y., and the constant crack cocaine presence surrounding him as child. The documentary even includes a story depicting a young Artest delivering drugs at a child, feeling too nervous to collect the payment and vowing to never deal drugs again after the ordeal. Artest continued to go on about his childhood, noting his countless fights, parents’s separation, and his father’s sometimes brutal methods to mold Artest into the basketball prodigy he’d eventually grow into. The documentary follows Artest’s journey from AAU basketball, to St. John’s, and eventually the NBA.

As the documentary’s most awaited moment, Artest eventually included his thoughts during the infamous “Malice at the Palace,” where Artest and others climbed into the stands looking to fight Detroit Piston fans immediately after a game. Just as he described the countless other fights which occurred throughout his life, Artest included mental recollections from that night such as his quickly ignited temper and furious mental state. The ordeal stood as a peak moment for the documentary as it described Artest’s reoccurring hatred and troublesome violent tendencies.

Easily the documentary’s most compelling segment occurred towards the backend, as Artest recalled winning an NBA title alongside childhood friend Lamar Odom and shortly afterwards showed self–awareness amidst his mental illness, even thanking his shrink on live TV, which many of Artest’s friends believed to be a “full circle” moment for the once troubled young talent. Artest also included multiple stories involving encounters with the great Kobe Bryant, who once nearly fought Artest but eventually proved as pivotal in helping Artest focus while playing, channeling out his inner demons as the two united to win the 2010 NBA Championship.

Artest concluded the documentary after illustrating his continued devotion to mental health awareness while also exhibiting his personal progress. Most notably, Artest mentioned his new friendship with John Green, the man who ignited the “Malice at the Palace” after hitting Artest with a cup. The two now greatly enjoy each other’s company after reconciling and remain close. Artest’s mentioned relationship with former teammate Jermaine O’Neal emphasizes Artest’s rehabilitation as well, as the documentary revealed the two players’ relationship continues to rebuild itself with Artest’s personal strides.

After what essentially may feel like a long apology from Artest, Quiet Storm: The Ron Artest Story  stands more as a lesson, both for the viewers unaware of mental illness, and for Artest, who continues to learn about himself and step away from his destructive past.