The Panda’s Friend is officially interested in becoming the next head coach of the New York Knicks.
The stunning news broke on Tuesday that the Knicks have fired head coach Tom Thibodeau after five seasons in charge. Their decision comes after Thibodeau just led the team to their first conference finals berth since 2000 (where they lost in six games to the Indiana Pacers).
In the wake of the Thibodeau firing, former NBA All-Star Metta Sandiford-Artest (a.k.a. Metta World Peace and/or Ron Artest) decided to shoot his shot. Artest, who now goes by “Coach Metta” on X, posted to his account to pitch himself for the Knicks head coaching job.
“Metta is the perfect choice for head coach of the @nyknicks,” Artest wrote of himself. “Since 1999 this was suppose [sic[ to happen. I’ve never ran from the city. When all the top players left NYC because it was hard , I went to @StJohnsBBall. I wanted to be drafted by the Knicks, I seemed to be the only one un-afraid of the city. I’m built to challenge the city. I’m the number one guy for the job. And I have 360degree experience.”
Metta is the perfect choice for head coach of the @nyknicks . Since 1999 this was suppose to happen. I’ve never ran from the city. When all the top players left NYC because it was hard , I went to @StJohnsBBall . I wanted to be drafted by the Knicks, I seemed to be the only one…
— Coach Metta (@MettaWorld37) June 3, 2025
Artest, who last played in the NBA since 2017, does indeed have the ties. He is a native of Queens and went to college at St. John’s from 1997-99. Artest then played for the Knicks during the twilight of his NBA career from 2013-14 (with Artest’s most memorable moment for the team likely having been the time that he scared Tyler Hansbrough on the court during a game).
As for his coaching dreams, Artest might not be as far off as you would think. He served as a player development coach for the South Bay Lakers in the NBA G League from 2017-18 and also previously had experience coaching girls’ basketball. On top of that, Artest has already expressed interest in becoming head coach of the Knicks dating back many years now, and one of Artest’s former NBA coaches actually seems to think that he could do well as a head coach.
That said, Panda Man will still ultimately be the longshot of longshots when it comes to the Knicks job. For one, there is a former NBA champion head coach who has already promptly been linked to the open gig in New York.
