Until this week, it hasn’t seemed like there was a way the NBA and its players would get a deal done, last minute or not, that would get the season underway without at least a number of games being missed.

However, Los Angeles Lakers forward Ron Artest(notes), who will likely be known soon as Metta World Peace, gave NBA fans a reason for hope Wednesday when he appeared on 710 ESPN Los Angeles radio Wednesday night. “A week ago I expected us not to play until January [or] February, but now I have a good feeling we might have one on time,” Artest told the station, according to ESPN Los Angeles. “It seems like we might possibly have a season. I’m hearing progress in these last couple days. I haven’t heard this all summer. I’ve heard people not even talking, going to meetings, showing up. But now I’m hearing some very good things and I’m very excited.”

Those good vibes are coming out of the meetings occurring in New York between league execs and the players union. Meanwhile, Artest, who will be seen on the upcoming season of “Dancing With the Stars,” is planning to join the Cheshire Jets in England after Thanksgiving if his vision of NBA ownership and player harmony doesn’t occur, the Los Angeles Times reports.

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Source: ESPN Los AngelesLos Angeles Times

Related: Ron Artest, Los Angeles Lakers

LOS ANGELES (CBS) — Los Angeles Lakers forward Ron Artest was honored Tuesday by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors for his work in raising awareness of mental health issues.

Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas recognized Artest for “his demonstrated courage in helping to erase the stigma
associated with mental health challenges.”

Artest’s goal, he said, is to let kids in particular know that there’s nothing shameful about seeking help when they need it.

“There’s nothing wrong with improving yourself … there’s nothing wrong with that,” Ridley-Thomas said.

Artest has appeared in public service announcements for the county and other organizations and raised $650,000 to support mental health programs by raffling off his 2010 NBA championship ring.

His advocacy earned him the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award presented by the Professional Basketball Writers Association.

The county’s director of mental health services, Marvin Southard, reinforced Artest’s message Tuesday, saying, “If you get the help, anything is possible.”

LOS ANGELES (CBS) — Los Angeles Lakers forward Ron Artest was honored Tuesday by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors for his work in raising awareness of mental health issues.

Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas recognized Artest for “his demonstrated courage in helping to erase the stigma
associated with mental health challenges.”

Artest’s goal, he said, is to let kids in particular know that there’s nothing shameful about seeking help when they need it.

“There’s nothing wrong with improving yourself … there’s nothing wrong with that,” Ridley-Thomas said.

Artest has appeared in public service announcements for the county and other organizations and raised $650,000 to support mental health programs by raffling off his 2010 NBA championship ring.

His advocacy earned him the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award presented by the Professional Basketball Writers Association.

The county’s director of mental health services, Marvin Southard, reinforced Artest’s message Tuesday, saying, “If you get the help, anything is possible.”

(CNS) Posted Friday June 24, 2011 – 9:33am

Los Angeles Lakers forward Ron Artest filed a request with the Los Angeles County Superior Court to change his name to Metta World Peace.

Metta is a Buddhist word meaning loving kindness, according to John Black, the Los Angeles Lakers vice president of public relations.

A hearing on Artest’s requested name change is scheduled for Aug. 26 in Los Angeles Superior Court.

Copyright © 2011 City News Service

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