During the 1999 NBA Draft, the New York Knicks had the opportunity to select Queens native Ron Artest. Instead, they opted for European-born Frederic Weis. Weis would go on to get hurdled by Vince Carter in the 2000 Olympics, while Artest would go on to have a solid career.
All it took was 14 years, but Artest is finally a Knicks. He agreed to a 2-year deal with the club.
With the signing of Bargnani a few weeks ago, World Peace may have to come off the bench. Either way, he’ll add a toughness down low that we saw Kenyon Martin bring as well.
As always, the player formerly known as Ron Artest was all over the map. But his incredible and sometimes controversial NBA journey has finally taken him back home 14 years after the Knicks could have drafted him and passed.
“They were 100% right,” World Peace said on Monday. “But who is ready? They were right. I was glad I didn’t go to New York early because maybe I don’t finish my career in New York. And I’m bringing that championship experience to the Garden.”
World Peace agreed to a two-year contract with the Knicks early Monday after meeting with team officials here.
H/T: New York Daily News
