Metta World Peace Discussion: All aboard the Peace train!

Cool. Good stuff.

 

They are getting mentoring for free right now, so why jump in and pay for something free in case a better option opens up. In this case, the Lakers have all of the leverage, admittedly like him, but are making the wise business move by keeping all options open. For all we know, he may end up pulling a hammy in training camp and not play all year. No reason to flush a million and tie up a roster spot if you don't have to.

 

Just asking. Would it be cool to ask a vet like Metta to go to camp and compete with possibility of injury without some kind of at least short term money like these other guys? Or would that be insulting? Would they need to give him vet minimum before going to Hawaii if by then they are thinking they want him on the team?

 

I think Metta knows how all of this works, and probably has no issue working to earn a spot on the team through hard work. Former All Star types who have played world wide, love the franchise, etc, don't expect anything for free. They want to earn it.

Not a bad idea to have that type of attitude around.

Kind of like Kobe saying he wouldn't want to be on the Olympic Team unless he was one of the baddest dudes on the planet. He doesn't want to be handed anything. Neither does Metta.

 

Do this already. Nice article on the situation.

http://www.lakersnation.com/metta-world-peace-low-risk-high-reward-signing/2015/09/13/

Metta World Peace: Low Risk, High Reward Signing For Lakers
Posted by: Jabari A. Davis Posted date: September 13, 2015 In: Editorials | Comments : 131
SHARETWEET


Rumors have been circulating regarding a potential reuniting of forward Metta World Peace and the Los Angeles Lakers for weeks, but teams are now approaching the point where rosters are being set with training camp scheduled to commence at the end of the month. With 17 of a possible 20 camp roster spots now full, the front office is technically in a position where a non-guaranteed contract could still be offered to World Peace.

Some may hold legitimate questions about the idea of re-signing a 35-year-old the team decided to cut ties with prior to the 2013-14 NBA season, but there really is no harm in simply bringing World Peace into camp and seeing what he has left in the tank. The small forward position remains the biggest question mark at this time according to ESPN’s depth chart with Nick Young slated to start and rookie Anthony Brown as his back-up.

– What will Kobe Bryant make this season? Find out here! —

The idea of Kobe Bryant playing minutes at the small forward has been discussed and will likely happen with particular lineups or matchups, but the roster is still a bit thin at the position with the entire season in mind. Bryant wasn’t always able to fully participate in practice prior to the latest two-year stretch where the future Hall of Famer has managed to play just 41 combined games.

While Bryant might understandably want to participate as much as possible, World Peace could join vets Brandon Bass, Lou Williams and Roy Hibbert in relieving the 20th-year guard of both on-court and leadership responsibilities. More than anything, fans would probably most appreciate a relatively healthy season from an all-time great if this truly winds up being Bryant’s final year in the ‘Purple and Gold.’

When asked about the idea of offering World Peace a contract, while as noncommittal as he tends to be when questioned about potential moves, GM Mitch Kupchak did offer this insight into where the Lakers currently are:

“I love the guy,” Kupchak said. “I really do. Last year, he was in Europe, he was in China. (Then) he coached his daughter’s middle school or high school team to a championship. He was here to work out when he got back from Europe playing, and then he’d come in through the summer. He’s been coming in on a regular basis. I do know that he wants to play, and that’s where we are.”

An agreement between the two sides may not be quite as imminent as some reports have intimated, but when weighing some of the potential pros versus any minimal cons, this is a signing that actually makes a lot more sense the more you look at it.

The “connection to Kobe Bryant and the last time these Lakers were great” discussion is somewhat inevitable, and while it certainly doesn’t hurt to have someone on the roster Bryant respects and has been close to for what could be his final season, that actually should not be what this decision should be about.

The greatest benefit is the fact that World Peace has both the ability and willingness to guide the young forwards (players). Not only is World Peace almost universally known as a great teammate and locker room presence, but there may not be a more qualified person available to mentor players like Julius Randle, Anthony Brown and Larry Nance Jr. on how to the forward positions should be played.

If you’re looking to instill, encourage or enhance a level of toughness and tenacity — particularly on the defensive end — then World Peace is your guy.

As a reminder, even in the reportedly fantastic shape that he’s in, World Peace only played 13.4 minutes per game two seasons ago while a member of the New York Knicks; so the notion that he’ll take away valuable minutes from the young core is a bit of non-discussion. Outside of a hot stretch or quarter here and there, the idea would be to have his largest contributions come behind-the-scenes where the learning process can be escalated and team chemistry is developed.

World Peace has also always wildly popular with the fan base, which cannot be entirely overlooked when making a decision whether to extend an offer. Two years of futility may have at least slightly curbed expectations of an immediate turnaround, but fans would certainly appreciate the entertainment value World Peace would bring. Especially in the moments — even if brief — where he shared the court with Bryant.

The team will head back to Hawaii for camp for the first time since 2007 after Media Day (Sept. 28). This will be the 13th time the franchise has spent training camp on the island. The jury may still be out on whether World Peace will be donning a cheesy, Jimmy Buffett-inspired Hawaiian shirt in team pictures with the rest of the guys, but it certainly wouldn’t be the worst of ideas. Overall, the likely gains are simply greater than any potential risk.

 

it's a no brainer for me. This a guy you don't need 80% of the season so you can play the youngsters, he has no ego because he is so looney so he will teach young guys stuff for free, will cheer from the bench just for attention, will get the crowd excited without doing much and you throw him out there to annoy the big 2-3-4 of this league (Lebron, Durant, George, Draymond Green, Leonard, Harden).

 

Waaaaah!! That Panda Friend guy just elbowed me..... not friendly at all.

 

Looks like there will be no reunion

 

What do you mean?

 

Saw something in hoopshype. . NY daily

 

Man.....didn't realize he was delusional about still being one of the best.

That could cause mgmt pause for sure

 

I would take Ron back but only if he would embrace his realistically limited role. Sounds like (from that snippet) he wants starters minutes...no bueno.

 

How did he do in China?

I think that's what he means. Technically he is still one of the best basketball players in the world even if he's not still an elite NBA player.

 

Yeah come on Ron Ron. There was a reason you had to play in China last year. Don't be greedy or stupid. Have a blast with what you get, or perform and earn more, and create a spot for yourself going forward in the organization.