The NBA has never allowed footage of the infamous brawl to be shown publicly, until now.
Showtime just announced their new Bleacher Report-produced documentary, titled, “Quiet Storm: The Ron Artest Story.” And for the first time ever, you will get the chance to see the entire footage of “Malice at the Palace.”
Showtime on Twitter
Showtime’s new award-winning documentary, #QuietStorm: The Ron Artest Story, shines a spotlight on one of the NBA’s most controversial figures. Premiering May 31 at 10/9c. #SHODocs
The NBA has never allowed footage of the infamous brawl between the Indiana Pacers players and Detroit Pistons fans to be shown publicly, until now.
Sports Illustrated on Twitter
The Malice at the Palace will be shown in its entirety for the first time on May 31 https://t.co/krWGE2u5xa
Artest, now known as Metta World Peace, charged into the stands after a fan threw a beer at him.
The NBA star was eventually suspended for the remainder of that season for his role in one of the darkest moments in league history. However, he later became a leader on a Lakers team that won a championship in 2010 and was even given the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award, an honor presented by the Professional Basketball Writers Association, for his work in promoting mental health awareness.
The film will include interviews with the Queensbridge-native as well as his family and friends, former teammate and rivals. The documentary will also chronicle his childhood in NYC during the crack wars of the 1980s to his time at St. John’s University and career in the NBA.
Amongst those interviewed are Kobe Bryant, Lamar Odom, Elton Brand, and Jermaine O’Neal. The film was directed by Johnny Sweet and written by Tom Friend.
Sweet told Deadline:
“As a kid who grew up in New York City in the ’80s and ’90s. I remember watching Metta play at an early age. He embodied what New York basketball fans loved: a tough relentless two-way player. He was never more authentic than after his 2010 title-clinching shot with the Lakers when he said, ‘I want to thank my psychiatrist.’ Whether he meant to have an impact or not, Ron saved lives that day simply by being honest and guileless.”
“Quiet Storm: The Ron Artest Story” will premiere Friday, May 31 at 10 pm ET on Showtime.
