Athlete Off To A Rocky Start As ‘Dancing’s’ Season 13 Begins

With a sparkling new ballroom and a dozen new celebrity contenders, the most talked about season of “Dancing with the Stars” has kicked off, but a world champion basketball star is already off to a rocky start.

He may have had success in the courtroom earlier this week, legally changing his name from Ron Artest to Metta World Peace, but the Lakers forward stumbled on the show’s opening dance – a cha cha with professional newcomer to the competition, Aussie Peta Mergatroyd.

“It’s a new season, we’ve got a new set, but it’s the same old shimmying about stuff,” British judge Len Goodman said. “It was all sizzle, no sausage I’m afraid.”

Bruno Tonioli had kinder words for the star athlete, telling him to work on his “technique.”

“If we are gonna work on the technique, we’re gonna get better because you have power and you have presence,” he said. “So go for it dance-a-tron.”

As for the lone female judge — Carrie Ann Inaba — she was swayed by Ron (he’s being called “Ron” on the show).

“Now we know who the wild one is gonna be,” she said. “You’re sort of eccentric and then kind of sexy.”

“You like that?” Ron replied, flirtily.

Despite winning over Carrie Ann with his charm, she gave him just 5 points, Len offered just 4, and Bruno another 5 for a total of 14/30.

The competition is continuing and dozens of stars, including Kim, Khloe and Kourtney Kardashian, Lamar Odom, Dana Delaney, Courteney Cox, and Andy Cohen are packed into “Dancing” new-look ballroom, watching.