From fierce battles against Kobe Bryant to eventually sharing the court and winning alongside him, Ron Artest—better known as ‘Metta World Peace’—reflects on his time with the Lakers legend with a mix of respect and frustration. One of the most memorable moments before they became teammates came during the 2009 playoffs when Artest was ejected, sparking a loud reaction from the crowd. Even now, the former All-Star views that ejection as unfair and still feels the impact of the decision.

On Byron Scott’s podcast, ‘Metta World Peace’ opened up about the fallout from that moment. “So many stories were coming out, and I didn’t know where they were coming from. There were just so many things happening. Even at the hotel, I was thinking, ‘Someone really doesn’t like me.” He expressed his frustration not only with the questionable foul but with the public reaction that followed.

Metta also acknowledged that he knew Bryant was going to get calls—something every player understands. “I know Kobe’s going to get calls,” he said. “But when you blatantly see an elbow and nothing happens, it just feels unfair. If the ref wasn’t going to handle it, I thought, ‘Okay, I’ll handle it.” Despite his frustration, he didn’t expect to be ejected, especially after performing so well in the series. “I was playing great, averaging 22 or 25 points a game. I was really in a good rhythm, and then, out of nowhere, Joey [Crawford] made a quick call.”

Late in the fourth quarter, Bryant and Artest were jostling under the rim for a rebound when the Lakers superstar swung his elbow. Referee Joey Crawford, called a loose ball foul on the two-time Defensive Player of the Year, which left him incensed. “All I did was go up to Kobe and say, ‘My brother, that was wrong.’’I was upset. He threw an elbow!,” via Fast Break. The former champion continued that he signaled the ref that he got elbowed. But the referee interpreted it as the forward threatening the guard with a throat-slitting gesture and ejected him.

Kobe Bryant’s approach didn’t please teammate Artest

That’s not the only thing Ron Artest was upset about. Earlier this year, he expressed how he never wanted to play secondary fiddle. But that all changed after his move to the Lakers. “Every game that he [Bryant] didn’t play I averaged 19. Every game he played, you know, I had to go back and tally it all up. I was just crushing to myself.”

In his 6 seasons with the Lakers, the Small Forward scored in double-digit points only twice. Previously, in every season, including his rookie year, Artest would easily score points. “I said hold let me look at these stats. I said, damn I’m average 18.9. You were like I do that it was about 20 games that I knew I was nice.” The reason he didn’t get to showcase that is well-known as Kobe was a notorious ball hogger. Artest can laugh about it now but he may have held some frustrations back then.

But that led to him winning the only trophy of his career, and Kobe Bryant’s final title in 2010. So, from constant bickering as rivals to forming a championship-winning bond, Artest fondly recalls his time with Black Mamba. How do you feel about this confession? Tell us in the comment section below!