Ron Artest On His ‘Dancing’ Elimination: ‘I Didn’t Put In Enough Time & Effort’

“Dancing with the Stars” viewers may not have voted for World Peace – but no hard feelings, says Ron Artest.

The NBA star – who officially had his name changed to Metta World Peace this month – was the first contestant booted from the ballroom on Tuesday night, but the athlete told Access Hollywood’s Shaun Robinson it wasn’t much of a surprise.

“We had the lowest scores, you know. Nothing’s rigged,” Ron told Shaun after his elimination. “I didn’t really put in enough time and effort to go on to the next day.”

The judges seemed to agree, giving Ron and pro partner Peta Murgatroyd only 14 out of 30 points for their cha cha on Monday night – and the Lakers star admitted he may not have been taking the whole thing serious enough to compete.

“I’m a clown. I think I was maybe having too much fun. But, you know, somebody had to go early and first. Somebody had to go,” he told Shaun. “But I had a blast. The cast is great, all the dancers. I met new people, new personalities. I got a chance to experience a new thing.”

As far as which fellow “Star” he thinks can take home the coveted mirrorball trophy, Ron said there are a few that caught his eye in his short time on the show.

“I was happy to see Chaz [Bono] – Chaz did pretty good. He didn’t mess up. And then Nancy [Grace] did awesome, but Carson [Kressley] – he’s the total package,” Ron beamed of the former “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy” star. “He’s amazing.”