Metta World Peace (Photo : Photo: Twitter)
"I work out. I'm still one of the best small forwards in the world."
Those were the bold words of the always-intriguing, often-controversial Metta World Peace.
The player formerly known as Ron Artest sat down with the New York Daily News' Mitch Abramson, following reports that World Peace is preparing for his return trip with the Los Angeles Lakers.
When asked about his future in basketball, he simply responded, "With my career being up and down, some teams are like, 'Can we use Metta World Peace, where is he going to fit in? Is he going to be good for the rookies? Can he still play?'"
There's no doubt that at 35-years-old, Metta World Peace still has something to bring to the table, especially for a Lakers team that's composed of young, up-and-coming players.
The purple and gold will have the likes of inexperienced big men Julius Randle, Tarik Black, and Larry Nance Jr., as well as promising guards in D'Angelo Russell and Jordan Clarkson. Not to mention developing players such as Anthony Brown, Jabari Brown, and Robert Upshaw.
It is apparent how World Peace's performance dropped after his championship run with the Lakers in 2010.
He may not have the prototypical personality a rookie looks for in a mentor.
He may not be the type of player who can stop anyone from the opposing team's two-guard, to its big men.
He may not have the consistency to bury crucial jumpers, let alone sink open shots.
However, the former NBA Defensive Player of the Year probably has something up his sleeve in terms of injecting a type of mentality to a relatively young team.
Whether on or off the court, Los Angeles Lakers can expect that no matter how crazy Panda's Friend's appeal might be, how he's lost a step when it comes to the defensive end, or how he's outside shooting touch has gone south, Metta World Peace still provides an image that exudes toughness and confidence from every angle.
These two characteristics are important facets in a struggling team's plan to come out of their slump, and into playoff contention once again.
These two characteristics are what players look for in a veteran to - at the very least - mentor a youthful squad.
These two characteristics inspire fans to cheer their hearts' out no matter the outcome, or what's on the scoreboard.
Above all, toughness and confidence are what the Los Angeles Lakers need, period.
