Metta World Peace, who long ago abandoned his human name of Ron Artest, is apparently set to make another change. The newly minted Sichuan Blue Whales forward is going with something more reflective of his new home.
His new name will be Panda Friend. Panda Friend.
World Peace, who is known in China as “Ci Shiping”, a literal translation of “Metta World Peace,” now plans to name himself after China’s giant panda, a precious animal based in Southwest China’s Sichuan province, where his new team is also based.
Apparently excited by his China trip, the “Panda Friend” tweeted he would be visiting the pandas with his daughter, while also adding that he would be changing his name in honor of his move.
“New Chinese name coming soon. You guys are going to love it! ” He posted on his Chinese twitter-like social media Sina Weibo.
Personally, I think it’s a little presumptuous for World Peace to speak on behalf of all pandas. I am sure there are some out there who have a neutral, or even poor view of the basketball player. I guess the only way to test his synergy with the endangered animal is by jumping into a cage with one of them Anchorman style.
Actually, I shouldn’t even suggest that in jest. Not to the one person on earth who might actually do it.
[H/T: China Daily]