Last summer, one player that most Los Angeles Lakers fans didn’t want to see go was veteran forward Metta World Peace. Unfortunately, the Lakers parted ways with World Peace using the amnesty provision, and Peace ultimately, signed with the New York Knicks in free agency.
World Peace’s stint with the Knicks didn’t last very long with the team recently buying out the veteran forward.
Earlier this week, World Peace talked with the New York Daily News about quite a few different topics, including Kobe Bryant. Metta said he had plenty of battles with Kobe during Lakers practices and once called out the five-time NBA champion according to Frank Isola:
“There were times when me and Kobe (Bryant) would be yelling at each other,” Metta said. “I once told the greatest player ever, ‘You suck.’ Our practices got intense and the next day we’d go out and take it out on the other team.”
It’s easy to see why Kobe and Metta got along so well during their time together in Los Angeles. Both players were extremely competitive and apparently motivated one another in practice as well as during games.
Unfortunately, a presence like Metta and Kobe is sorely lacking on the current squad. No one seems to have the ability to inspire and motivate like these veterans have in the past and as a result the Lakers are currently sitting at the bottom of the Western Conference standings.
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As for World Peace’s future, the one-time NBA champion is looking for an opportunity to win a second ring. Metta is a free agent once again and wants to join a title contender.
Although World Peace is not the dominant defensive force of old, the veteran will likely still draw interest from title contenders from both conferences. The Los Angeles Clippers were rumored to be interested in World Peace, but have just signed Glen Davis and appear to be the favorites to land Danny Granger.
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