Filed Under » Ron Artest

The player's attorney filed a petition in Los Angeles Superior Court on Thursday seeking the change. The 31-year-old NBA star was born Ronald William Artest Jr., but has decided he wants a name better suited to his personality.

"My whole life I have been Ron," said the man once known as Ron Artest. "But inside I've always felt like Whoa Hey Lookatme. Or maybe an Everyone Watch This or even Paya Tention Tome. And now I will legally have the name I want," he added while doing cartwheels with a sparkler through Times Square with his pants off.

The Lakers say they have been informed of the change, but have not yet decided if their player's jersey next year will read "Hey Lookatme" or just "Lookatme" on the back. It may not matter, as there are already reports that Artest plans to change his name to Gimme Attention halfway through the season.

Completely insane person and Lakers forward Ron Artest says it's a dream come true.

"Everything I've worked for my whole career, I finally have it," said Artest moments after the Lakers won an NBA title over the Boston Celtics. "Look! It's one-size fits all! Just as I hoped it would be!"

Artest then passed on an opportunity to hold the NBA championship trophy so he could continue looking at himself in the mirror with his hat on.

"This is a nice hat, too!" he exclaimed. "It's embroidered and everything! I've always wanted a nice hat. To all the kids out there: follow your dreams and work hard. You could get a nice hat like this."

While his teammates continued celebrating and taking photos with the championship trophy, Artest called friends and loved ones to tell them about his hat.

"I did it!" he was heard telling one person on the phone. "I wish you were here to see it. It's such a nice hat. I think I'll call it Hatty."

Lakers head coach Phil Jackson just looked at Artest and sighed. "That's not a working cell phone," he said. "We haven't let him have a real cell phone in months. It freaked him out that voices came out of it. Also, here's a fun fact: he thinks he's talking to Michael Jackson right now."

Artest later joined his teammates to celebrate with champagne, chewing up an empty bottle while trying to spray his urine on all those around him.

"I'm so happy for Ron," said his beaming psychiatrist, standing off to the side. "This is the best he's been in years."

Despite a long and successful NBA career, millions of dollars, and fame, Ron Artest has never forgotten where he comes from.

"That is incredibly disappointing," says Mary Thompson, who lives in the Queensbridge Houses public housing where Artest grew up in Queens. "A lot of people here have it tough as it is without everyone thinking we're nutjobs because of Ron Artest."

Artest proudly told TNT sideline reporter Craig Sager to "say Queensbridge" after he hit the winning shot at the buzzer in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals. His display of pride had an immediate impact at the Queensbridge buildings.

"I guess a lot of people were watching the game, because right after he said it, you could hear a big groan all around you," said Queensbridge public activities coordinator Mychal Logan. "And then what sounded like the sound of people slapping their forehead in disappointment."

Thompson, a single mother of three, says she has had numerous job interviews end when potential employers realize she is from the Queensbridge Houses and associate that with Artest.

"Usually they then have security escort me out," she said. "And do you have any idea how hard it is to keep up the self-esteem of your kids when they think one of the only ways out of here is to be like Ron Artest? Thank God they also have a good example like Nas."

Logan says he appreciates Artest's pride and the charity he has done for the community, but says if the Lakers forward really wanted to help, "he'd make a point in his next post-game interview to say he's from the Bronx. Or, I don't know, Iowa. Just, please, show the people of Queensbridge mercy."