Metta World Peace Declares on Twitter that Ron Artest is Back

On Twitter, Metta World Peace, aka Ron Artest, aka the Lakers Wild Child, has become someone legendary for his late night tweets. So much so, that I know some people just wait around to see if he’ll show up to give them some good laughs or tidbits of information. For you non-tweeps, it’s much like an open-mic night down at the Improv, hoping to see Jerry Seinfeld show up to give a quick five minutes.

I thought they said I couldn’t dunk anymore and I’m washed up. OkOfficially Indiana Ron Artest is back!!!!!Spread the word!!!!!I’m back!

— Metta WorldPeace (@MettaWorldPeace) February 16, 2012

— Get your Lakers Nation Shirts & Stickers at our LakersNation.com/Store —

A lot of Lakers fans have been asking for the old Ron Artest to come back. Comparing the numbers, it’s pretty clear why:

2004 Indiana Ron Artest: 18.3 ppg | 5.3 rpg | 3.7 apg | 2.1 spg | 42.1% FG | 31.0 3pt% | 37 mpg

2012 Lakers MWP: 4.9 ppg | 2.6 rpg | 1.8 apg | 0.7 spg | 33.8% FG | 20.6% 3pt% | 22 mpg

Oh wait, I don’t want to be a stats guy. But Ron Ron might like this one stat:

The Lakers are 5-1 since Ron Artest has been starting and in which he has played 25 minutes or more in the game.

If Mike Brown is going to be using stats to gauge playing time, as Metta World Peace claimed, Brown should use all the numbers and not cherry pick them.

Here are some highlights from the Lakers latest wins with Ron Ron’s two big dunks: