Metta World Peace is apologizing after leveling Oklahoma City's James Harden with an elbow during the second quarter of his Los Angeles Lakers' 114-106 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder Sunday.

"I got real emotional and excited, and it was unfortunate that James had to get hit with the unintentional elbow," the 32-year-old forward formerly known as Ron Artest said. "I hope he's OK. Oklahoma, they're playing for a championship this year. I apologize to the Thunder and James Harden. It was just unfortunate."

The Dancing With the Stars contestants barely had time to get their dancing shoes off after Tuesday night’s results show before they were back online and tweeting about their experiences.

While the first star to be booted, Metta World Peace -- formerly known as Ron Artest -- kept quiet, the remaining cast members were gushing with excitement and support for their reality competition rivals.

"THANK YOU! We made it!! Because of you! And my lucky charm," wrote CNN host Nancy Grace, referring to her sexy Irish partner, Tristan MacMillan.

All eyes were on Chaz Bono for the premiere of the 13th season of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars Monday night, but
former Iraqi war veteran turned actor/activist  J.R. Martinez and Chynna Phillips stole the show. Each waltzed their way into a two-way tie for the top spot  -- scoring 22 out of 30 for their freshman dances.

NBA star Ron Artest, who last week legally changed his name to Metta World Peace, came in dead last with a  stinging score of 14 out of 30.

DWTS Cast Revealed -- Who Is J.R. Martinez?

The 6’7” Artest  -- who seemed to be channeling Dennis Rodman -- was first to hit the dance floor with new pro Petra Murgatroyd. Judge Len Goodman slammed Artest’s cha cha cha as the "same old shimmying about" and called his footwork "atrocious." Bruno Tonioli said the towering Laker has “such length of bone that it’s sometimes difficult navigating intricacies of technique,” while Carrie Ann Inaba called Artest “eccentric and yet kind of sexy.”  She also criticized his poor technical skills.

Make no mistake, the man formerly known as Ron Artest wants the world to be clear about his new name!

The Los Angeles Lakers star got an extra special hairdo, proudly showcasing his new moniker, in time for his reality show debut Monday night and RadarOnline.com has all the photos.

PHOTOS: Ron Artest Wants The World To be Clear About His New Name

Move over Kobe and Lamar: Metta World Peace is coming to town.

Actually, he's been here all along: Los Angeles Lakers forward Ron Artest on Thursday asked the Los Angeles Superior Court to have his name legally changed to Metta World Peace, citing "personal reasons."

Artest has really turned his reputation around since his infamous meltdown in 2004, when he jumped into the stands and charged at a fan during a game in Detroit while playing for the Indiana Pacers. (He was suspended for the rest of that season for the incident.)

Since then, the former All-Star's won an NBA championship as a member of the Lakers, as well as emerging as a celebrity advocate for mental health causes, testifying before Congress in February.