Lakers' Ron Artest: Call Me 'Metta World Peace'

Ron Artest may soon be Ron Artest no more. The Lakers forward wants to legally change his name to Metta World Peace, according to papers filed in LA County Superior Court yesterday. Why? Who knows. The attorney who filed the paperwork didn't say, though the Los Angeles Times notes that "metta" is a Buddhist term meaning "a strong wish for the welfare and happiness of others" ... which could be fitting for Artest, who has gone from drinking at halftime to raffling off his 2010 championship ring for charity.

The 31-year-old is scheduled for an Aug. 26 hearing on the name change. If it goes through, it'll be up to the Artest and the team to decide whether his jersey will feature his new name. (More Ron Artest stories.)