The firing of Nico Harrison from the Dallas Mavericks marks a new era for the team, and while they have yet to name a replacement as general manager, one former, controversial Los Angeles Lakers star is throwing his hat in the ring.
Speaking in a video with TMZ Sports, Metta Sandiford-Artest (formerly Ron Artest, Metta World Peace) made his case as to why he would be a strong replacement over Harrison to lead the Mavericks front office.
“I think I’m suited to be the GM of the Dallas Mavericks,” he said. “The reason I say that is because I got so much experience.”
Artest also made a run at the head coach position of the New York Knicks over the summer, but they chose Mike Brown to run the team instead. In his playing career from 1999 to 2017, Artest played with the Chicago Bulls, Indiana Pacers, Sacramento Kings, Houston Rockets, Knicks, and Lakers, winning two titles in Los Angeles. While he’s been retired from the NBA for nearly a decade, the controversial star is now hoping to get back into the league.
Metta World Peace Makes His Case For Nico Harrison’s Job
While Kobe Bryant‘s former teammate has no previous experience at a general manager position in the NBA, Artest cited his other work around the sport as a strong reason why he could help the Mavericks in what appears to be a fresh start for the franchise without Harrison.
“(I’m) 46 years old, I’ve been in Cal State, L.A., Division II women’s basketball for seven years,” Artest said, speaking on his related experience for the GM job in Dallas. “Also, entrepreneurship, running a business, which is really hard. Running a basketball business would be fairly easy; running a sports business is fairly easy at the highest level, whether it’s president or general manager. I’m running all operations. So, I think they should look at me.”
While it is unknown if the former star, partly infamous for his actions at the’Malice at the Palace‘, has officially met with Dallas brass in an interview for the position, the team has already named an interim to take Harrison’s role.
Governor Patrick Dumont elevated Michael Finley and Matthew Ricciardi to run basketball operations for the team until a more long-term successor is found in the general manager position. According to Bleacher Report, the Mavericks are expected to interview a long list of candidates, so there remains a chance, though likely small, that Artest could get the call to interview.
Unique Moments From His Lakers Tenure
This is by no means the first or last time the former player has surprisingly made headlines. Throughout his career, and even seen after with his latest shot at the Mavericks general manager job, Artest has a strong history of taking the unconventional route.
Let alone the fights, personal struggles, and shaky history as it relates to his behavior, Artest has one of the most unique resumes in recent league history, as it relates to his ‘quirks.’
An article posted by Bleacher Report during his career highlighted some of the ‘strangest’ moments of his playing days. One of which was the fact that he chose to wear number 37 when he joined the Lakers because Michael Jackson’s Thriller song was atop music charts for 37 weeks.
He also reportedly approached Bryant in the shower and told him he could help him win a title, before he was even on his team.
“Kobe claims that he still has no idea how Artest got into the locker room,” Nathan Tanner wrote.
After winning the two titles, Artest went on to sell his 2010 Finals championship ring in a charity auction, in which he raised $500,000 to help at-risk youth with mental health.
Additionally, in the postgame press conference after winning that series, Artest thanked his psychiatrist for helping get him mentally ready for the Finals.
Finally, he left fans with his famous quote after hitting the game-clinching shot for the Lakers’ 16th title.
“Kobe passed me the ball! Kobe never passes me the ball!”
After being reminded of these moments, his claim for the Mavs’ open position is a little less surprising.
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