Even during the most serious moments, Metta Sandiford-Artest was always a character.
The former Los Angeles Lakers player had many memorable moments during his career, especially during his tenure with the Lakers.
It’s been a while since he last played for the Lakers, but Sandiford-Artest remains an appreciated figure within the franchise.
Today, fans are remembering one of the most iconic moments he had with the team.
After sinking a clutch 3-pointer in the 2010 NBA Finals, he hilariously celebrated the fact that Kobe Bryant passed him the ball more than making the 3-pointer itself.
“Kobe passed me the ball!”
It has been 13 years since Metta Sandiford-Artest gave us this memorable quote after winning the 2010 NBA Finals 😂 pic.twitter.com/DpZMsGyOJQ
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) June 17, 2023
Back in 2010, the Lakers won their 16th NBA championship with Kobe Bryant leading the way and Sandiford-Artest coming up clutch to help the team.
Two years before that series, the Boston Celtics took out the Lakers in the Finals, winning the 17th championship in franchise history in six games.
Kobe Bryant and co. were keen to take their revenge and that moment came in 2010.
With the Lakers up 76-73 and 1:04 minutes on the clock, Bryant passed the ball to Sandiford-Artest (who went by Ron Artest at the time) and the small forward made a big triple.
That was the dagger for the Lakers, who ended up winning the game 83-79 to secure the 16th title in franchise history.
Sandiford-Artest wasn’t the same player he was in Indiana, a two-way threat that could have been even better than he was.
He never posted big numbers during that series, but in Game 7, he dropped 20 on the Celtics, including the three-pointer that sealed the deal for the Lakers.
In seven games, he averaged 10.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.4 steals.
NEXT:
LeBron James Appears To Respond To Mike Malone’s Retirement Joke