WORLDWRAPFEDERATION.COM

IN THE STREETS & ON THE WEB

NBA star Metta World Peace has said a lot of bizarre things in his career on and off the court.

And his recent public service announcement is yet another head-scratcher.

The trippy PSA stars Peace as 'Metta Man' a superhero who skateboards through the New York City skyline. The ad also features Larry King, a Cooper Mini, and a 40 pound curling stone. The partically animated video ends with Peace executing a backboard-shattering dunk.

"I may do some wild things at times," he says, at the end of the 60 second PSA. "But there's something I'm really serious about. Mental health."

The spot directs viewers to Limelight Mental Health, a non-profit organization that claims to boost awareness and reduce stigma surrounding mental illness. Limelight encourages people to wear lime green bracelets or ribbons for mental health awareness.

While Peace has never come out and stated that he suffers from a specific mental health condition, he's been a vocal supporter for the cause. In a live on-court interview after the Lakers won the NBA Finals in 2010 he thanked his psychiatrist for helping him 'relax' during the grueling series with the Boston Celtics.

The Lakers forward, who legally changed him name to Metta World Peace in 2011, auctioned off his championship ring in 2010, raising over $500,000 for charities that provide mental health awareness and treatment services for children.

But he wasn't always the face of wellness.

In November 2004 Artest became infamous as the instigator of the "Malice in the Palace" riot in Auburn Hills, Michigan when he was playing for the Indiana Pacers.

After a hard foul by Artest on Ben Wallace of the Detroit Pistons led to a fight on the court, a fan threw a drink on Artest. He responded by climbing into the stands and attacking, him, sparking a legendary brawl.

He was suspended for the remainder of the season (and the playoffs); it was the longest suspension in NBA history. He was also ordered to undergo anger management therapy and forfeited nearly $5 million in salary.

He's since gone to great lengths to rehabilitate his public image. He told the Los Angeles Times that he began seeing the mental health professional after he was ordered to undergo anger management and counseling after a 2008 domestic incident. Peace also saw a counselor as a teen when he was growing up in Queens.

He spoke frankly about how he suffered after his parents split up and how counseling helped him. He also continued to talk to a professional while playing basketball for St. John's University.

He's donated money to mental health clinics and charities in Los Angeles and in his hometown of Queens.

"It's kind of overwhelming," Artest told LA Times reporters in 2010. "I'm trying to be responsible with the message and do it in a way I'm not trying to take away from the team. That's been the hardest part."

Peace is still struggling to remain 'peaceful' on the court.

Last month, The NBA handed Lakers forward Metta World Peace a seven-game suspension for elbowing Oklahoma City Thunder swingman James Harden in the ear.

Photobucket

SOURCE

Views: 205

Comment

You need to be a member of WORLDWRAPFEDERATION.COM to add comments!

Join WORLDWRAPFEDERATION.COM

Listen to Scurry Life Radio For Artist Placement On The Site Contact: R5420records@yahoo.com

© 2024   Created by WORLD WRAP FEDERATION.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service

Subscribe