‘Dancing With The Stars" Season 13 Begins

LOS ANGELES — 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.

"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."

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.  

"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."

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

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

You like that?" Ron replied, flirtily.

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

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's" new-look ballroom, watching.  

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