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Metta Sandiford-Artest Compares West All-Star to Being Modern Day Pau Gasol

The 2004 Defensive Player of the Year weighs in.

Alex Kirschenbaum

Jan. 30, 2013; Phoenix, AZ, USA: Los Angeles Lakers forward Pau Gasol (left) talks with teammate Metta World Peace against the Phoenix Suns at the US Airways Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Jan. 30, 2013; Phoenix, AZ, USA: Los Angeles Lakers forward Pau Gasol (left) talks with teammate Metta World Peace against the Phoenix Suns at the US Airways Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images / Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Former 17-year NBA small forward Metta Sandiford-Artest, known as Ron Artest and Metta World Peace in his playing days, recently reflected on how best resembled one of his many Hall fo Fame teammates, center/power forward Pau Gasol.

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Alongside 18-time All-Star Los Angeles shooting guard Kobe Bryant Gasol, a six-time All-Star, helped lead the Lakers to three consecutive NBA Finals from the 2007-08 season (he was a trade deadline acquisition), winning it all in 2009 and 2010.

Sandiford-Artest joined L.A. in free agency ahead of its run to that 2010 championship. He and Gasol were teammates from 2009-13.

As he told NBA insider Brandon "Scoop B" Robinson on a new episode of Robinson's "Scoop B Radio" podcast, Sandiford-Artest revealed that he sees Houston Rockets All-Star center Alperen Şengün — a solid passer, scorer and rebounder — as the closest contemporary comp to Gasol.

“I like the kid from Houston, Alperen Şengün,” Sandiford-Artest said. “The big center! I like him.” 

The 22-year-old has enjoyed a breakout season with Houston. In 46 bouts for the 32-15 Rockets, Şengün is logging averages of 19.1 points, 10.4 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.3 steals and 0.8 blocks a night.

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“I like the way he plays and I like the way he carries himself," he said. "His court vision is crazy and so he’s one of my favorite guys to watch.” 

Elsewhere during their chat, Sandiford-Artest revealed that he most enjoyed his play during his lone season in Houston, 2008-09. That year, he helped the Tracy McGrady/Yao Ming-era Rockets notch a 53-29 record and reach the second round, where they fell in seven games to Bryant and Gasol's Lakers. Sandiford-Artest posted averages of 17.1 points on .401/.399/.748 shooting splits, 5.2 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.5 steals a night.

 “I think ‘08-’09 specifically in that playoffs where the Houston Rockets were playing the Lakers,” Sandiford-Artest said.

“They don’t really show those highlights because they’re just gonna show how good I really was… but it showed how — it really showed how people just couldn’t guard me. They had NO chance!” Sandiford-Artest declared.

After losing to Los Angeles, Sandiford-Artest decided that if you can't beat 'em, join 'em. He joined L.A. the next season, and stayed there through the 2012-13 season. He played for his hometown New York Knicks in 2013-14 and for CBA team the Sichuan Blue Whales and EuroLeague squad Pallacanestro Cantù 2014-15, before returning to the Lakers for his final two NBA seasons, 2015-16 and 2016-17.

“Well, the Lakers version was good,” Sandiford-Artest added.

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Alex Kirschenbaum
ALEX KIRSCHENBAUM

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