In a recent interview, Metta World Peace (formerly known as Ron Artest) revealed that Michael Jordan was the only player who reached out to him after the infamous Malice at the Palace incident in 2004.
The Malice at the Palace remains one of the most notorious events in NBA history. During a game between the Indiana Pacers and the Detroit Pistons on November 19, 2004, a fan threw a drink at Artest as he lay on the scorer’s table. Enraged, Artest charged into the stands and punched the fan, sparking a massive brawl that involved players and spectators. The aftermath saw multiple suspensions, criminal charges, and fines.
Reflecting on the incident, World Peace shared that Jordan was the only player who called him after the brawl.
“The last time I spoke to Michael Jordan was after the brawl. He was the only player who called me. He said, ‘Don’t worry, young fella, I’m gonna try to get you back.’ When he said that, I thought, ‘Wow, if MJ believes in me, I’ll be back.’ But not even Michael could fix things with David Stern. He was tough.”
Despite Jordan’s support, then-NBA Commissioner David Stern handed Artest an unprecedented 86-game suspension, the longest in NBA history for an on-court incident. This suspension cost Artest almost $5 million in salary and nearly derailed his career.
Despite the severe consequences, Artest (now World Peace) managed to rebuild his career. He went on to play for several teams, including the Los Angeles Lakers, where he won an NBA Championship in 2010.
