Metta World-Peace now known as Metta-Sandiford Artest rcently had an interview with TMZ sports to talk about the Ben Simmons situation in Philadelphia.
In the video uploaded by TMZ Sports on their YouTube channel, Artest was defending the disgruntled 6’10 playmaker.
“You don’t become third-team [All-NBA] in 2020, and then in 2021 and 2022, you become worse,” Artest told TMZ.
Artest even compared Simmons to NBA legend and now Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd.
“This kid is gonna be an MVP candidate. The thing about it is, just because he’s a superstar doesn’t mean he needs to be a shooter. Gary Payton was starting to shoot the ball late in his career. You look at guys like Jason Kidd, [he was] just like Ben Simmons. Later in his career, Jason Kidd became an all-time great 3-point shooter. … Remember when Jason Kidd couldn’t shoot?
Kidd developed a decent three-point shot and mid-range jumper late in his career. Kidd became a 38% three-point shooter during his second stint with the Mavericks. He and the Maverick even won the championship in 2011 as they beat the Miami Heat and the ‘Big 3’ of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.
Artest also addded that he sees Simons as a future NBA MVP candidate and a future NBA champion.
“Never will we let our close alumni of elite defenders be disrespected; there’s only a few of us, and Ben Simmons is one of us,” Artest added.
“And we will not let him go down and be disrespected. He will be an MVP candidate, and he will be second-team All-NBA; he will be a champion, hopefully in Philly with my good brother Elton Brand.”
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