An infamous former NBA All-Star believes he is the ideal candidate to be named the next head coach of the New York Knicks, and it appears he is not going to let up until the job is filled.
Almost immediately after the Knicks made the stunning decision on Tuesday to fire head coach Tom Thibodeau, Metta World Peace — currently known as Metta Sandiford-Artest and formerly known as Ron Artest — began campaigning for an opportunity to coach his former team.
Artest has changed his name to “Coach Metta” on social media. The Queens, N.Y., native believes his ties to The Big Apple and years of experience would make him “the perfect choice” to be named the new head coach of the Knicks.
“Metta is the perfect choice for head coach of the @nyknicks . 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 360 degree experience,” Artest wrote in one post on X.
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 has since had several other posts touting his resume and loyalty to New York City. He called Thibodeau “absolutely incredible” and said the Knicks are now positioned to win an NBA title, which Artest believes he can help deliver.
Same narratives. Add Metta in that box. Why are people so afraid to see me win ? So many narratives . Metta is the guy for the @nyknicks https://t.co/iPLjGHAuPE
— Coach Metta (@MettaWorld37) June 4, 2025
Exactly. #since1999
— Coach Metta (@MettaWorld37) June 4, 2025
Not only fan, not only a real nyc street kid, but an nyc winner. You see how they setting the narrative. We don’t agree. We ready to go baby.
NYC – we got a full 360 degree history. Deeper than all that. It’s time. NYC https://t.co/NEndPp3pun
That is only a sampling of all the campaigning Artest has done since Tuesday. Most people doubt that the Knicks will view him as a serious candidate, however.
Artest last played in the NBA in 2017. As he said, he played in college at St. John’s 1997-1999. He also played for the Knicks for a brief period in 2013-2014.
Artest also has some coaching experience, as he was a player development coach for the South Bay Lakers in the NBA G League from 2017-2018. This is not the first time he has expressed interest in becoming the head coach of the Knicks. One notable NBA coach actually thinks Artest would do well in a coaching role in the NBA.
Though he was an NBA All-Star in 2004 and an outstanding defender, Artest is also known for having a temper and a quirky personality, to put it lightly. All of that will work against him in his pursuit of an NBA head coach job.
