Metta World Peace has formed a friendship with the fan that threw a beer on him in 2004, starting the Malice at the Palace.
Metta World Peace (then-Ron Artest) was obviously wrong for his actions in the Malice at the Palace. However, there’s no getting around the fact that the most shocking brawl in NBA history would have never happened if a fan hadn’t thrown a beer on World Peace while he was laying on a scorer’s table that night in 2004.
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Considering that, and the fact that World Peace’s reputation was damaged forever because of the incident and he was suspended for the 2004-05 season’s final 72 games, it would make sense if the 35-year-old still resented that fan.
So consider us shocked that World Peace revealed on Thursday that he’s actually friends with that fan.
It’d be one thing if World Peace had simply forgiven the fan, but the fact they are actually friends is truly remarkable. Time can heal all wounds and this is the latest proof.
Wednesday was the 10th year anniversary of the Malace At The Palace, the memorable 2004 brawl that occurred during an Indiana Pacers and Detroit Pistons game and featured players running in the stands to fight fans.
World Peace called the day of the brawl the worst day of his life.
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