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World peace to play in Finland
Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2011 3:57 pm
by Slava
What's old "Metta World Peace" up to now?
Oh, he's just getting ready to play professional basketball in Finland. Via BallinEurope:
“Finland’s top league Korisliiga will witness some serious NBA talent in September 2011, when Los Angeles Lakers forward/multipersonality Ron Artest will join league newcomer LoKoKo Loimaa.
“The 31-year old Artest has three years left in his Lakers contract, but that doesn’t seem to bother LoKoKo sports director Aleksi Valavuori, who backs up the rumor in Tuesday’s Ilta-Sanomat newspaper.
“We have sorted things out and I can happily confirm that Artest will arrive in Finland,” Valavuori states in the Ilta-Sanomat interview.
The news comes from a Finnish newspaper, and naturally there could be a few things lost in translation. There's some question about the report's legitimacy, but by all appearances, it's the real deal.
I assume this is all lockout contingent, because Artest does have three years left on his Lakers deal, which could complicates things with FiBA rules. I don't really know how that all plays out with lockout rules, but Artest would be risking his contract for sure if he were to get injured.
As BallinEurope points out, Valavuori has pulled over other NBA players to appear in the Finnish league before. In November 2005, more than 7,000 people watched Dennis Rodman play in Helsinki and then in November 2008, Scottie Pippen played for Topo in Finland.
The report says Artest will appear in just a few games, so it's more likely a publicity stunt and not actually that he's joining a team for a season. But no doubt Artest is taking his new name seriously. Metta World Peace is going global, ya'll.
http://www.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entr ... 4/30295913
Re: World peace to play in Finland
Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2011 4:39 pm
by TimoCruz
This could possibly void his contract with us..
Re: World peace to play in Finland
Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2011 4:46 pm
by Slava
We don't know the terms in his contract and he's free to seek employment wherever he pleases to. This could however end pretty bad if he suffers a serious injury though.
However I don't see how this is different than playing in a local pick up tournament in LA. Atleast this is a more secure and organized environment and helps keep him in shape.
Re: World peace to play in Finland
Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2011 5:55 pm
by The_Trade_Seer
No big deal ... have fun in Finland M.W.P. ... great fish, nice people, cold as polar bear's butt; good place to chill
Re: World peace to play in Finland
Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2011 6:06 pm
by The Laker Kid
Artest has gone Loko
Re: World peace to play in Finland
Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2011 7:58 pm
by fongie24
The Laker Kid wrote:Artest has gone Loko
+1
How are you gonna say you're gonna play for another team when you're still under contract with another one? The lockout isn't even here yet.. I really wonder about this guy sometimes....
Re: World peace to play in Finland
Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2011 8:23 pm
by H00PDREAMS
If there is a lockout thursday a lot of players will head to China to play. I just read on the nets that Nike, Reebok and Addidas are already trying persuade their endorsed players to play in China this summer or fall in Leagues and tourneys.
There is going to be big money in Europe but bigger money and exposure in China. I doubt Stern or any other NBA team will step in the way if they head to China because that will be a huge win win situation in the bleakest of lockouts.
So Artest in Finland may only be the first of many to head overseas to play. I actually think Artest playing there is more of a publicity thing and less of a competitive thing. Kind of like when McNabb or Brady playing Bball for charity they dont really go all out. The pass and try to get dunks and stuff.
Re: World peace to play in Finland
Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2011 8:48 pm
by Slava
Would be awesome if Pau and Kobe play for a team in the Euroleague and win the finals. May be for Barcelona.
Re: World peace to play in Finland
Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2011 10:23 pm
by chefy
pretty sure it'll be for a couple of exhibition games only...
who the heck would ditch a million dollar contract and playing in the nba (the Lakers!!!) just to play in Finland?
on the side note; the good thing about this is he'll be in shape when the Laker's camp starts.
Re: World peace to play in Finland
Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2011 11:54 pm
by DrewBynum77
**** attention whore. at least he'll be in a bball court airballing 3 pointers in freaking finnland.
I hope something happens to him there so we can void his contract.
Re: World peace to play in Finland
Posted: Wed Jun 29, 2011 12:14 am
by Edrees
Wait I just thought about something. If someone has 2 years left on their contract and there is a lockout this season, does that reduce it to 1 year left even though a season didn't happen? (thinking of luke mainly here)
Re: World peace to play in Finland
Posted: Wed Jun 29, 2011 3:59 am
by Jetset
Edrees wrote:Wait I just thought about something. If someone has 2 years left on their contract and there is a lockout this season, does that reduce it to 1 year left even though a season didn't happen? (thinking of luke mainly here)
Yes.
Since God told him he was the worst basketball player maybe playing with a bunch of Finnish scrubs who are lower than him will make him feel better. And when he returns, Ronald William Artest Jr. better return as well. Enough of this Metta Zen bullcrap.
I want the Artest that people feared, no one is afraid of World Peace.
Re: World peace to play in Finland
Posted: Wed Jun 29, 2011 9:02 pm
by 10scott10
Re: World peace to play in Finland
Posted: Wed Jun 29, 2011 9:19 pm
by dirtymike
DrewBynum77 wrote:**** attention whore. at least he'll be in a bball court airballing 3 pointers in freaking finnland.
I hope something happens to him there so we can void his contract.
I was thinking the same thing...but was too scared to say it!!!
Re: World peace to play in Finland
Posted: Wed Jun 29, 2011 9:21 pm
by dirtymike
I want the Artest that people feared, no one is afraid of World Peace.[/quote]
NO ONE!!!!
