Pandas in L.A.?!
Yes that’s right friends, this can only mean one thing; the Artest formerly known as Ron is back in town. And we could be set for a thriller from player 37.
Reports have the Los Angeles Lakers quotably “seriously” interested in bringing back their former champion and dynamite defensive legend Metta World Peace. And it seems like only a barricade will stop this star from giving the City of Angels hell again.
But if you think this would be a ludicrous move by the Lakers, looking desperate in signing the player/rapper then bear with us and the Panda. Besides they may as well try to ink their old friend…they’ve tried to sign everyone else this Summer.
L.A’s own Paul Pierce and now hometown Clipper ‘The Truth’ is showing todays NBA generation that the fact remains that great teams are built on the backbone of former All-Star legends turned valuable veterans. Even with all these one year deals and the Lakers trying to make another one there’s nothing minimum about it. With the 37 year old franchise face Kobe enthusiastic about his ages number, it looks like all is set for the Lake Show to bring his old 35 year old friend back in all this bizarre reality.
Not ready for the Hills yet, it looks like one last walk of fame in this game before World says Peace. Only in Hollywood right?
Still in quite a show this is no charity to a player they previously amnestied. Metta could matter by being more than a Mark Madsen mascot or lucky charm at the end of the bench with Rony Turiaf celebration enthusiasm that sparks the hardwood from the pine. Besides L.A. has their Canadian Robert Sacre for that. World Peace could help Los Angeles battle through their war for the city with the Clippers, critics and all the cruel twists of fate that turn with Kobe’s ankle and tear with his shoulder.
M.W.P. may no longer be M.V.P. material but he’ll be far from a DNP-CD off the bench. Giving these Russell and Clarkson young Lakers veteran and championship experience. To go with the pedigree for these pups of a physical and psychological lift. Not to forget teaming up with former perimeter partner and lifetime friend Kobe Bryant and muscling up with the rest on defence. He’s already been on court in El Segundo putting in work at the Lakers practice facility by shouldering some defence and training returning from injury sophomore Julius Randle. The perfect defensive player built for this role, Metta has told press he is incredibly impressed with how the young Randle is handling strength and conditioning in his offensive, post game, but we wouldn’t be surprised if some of that old Ron Ron has rubbed off too. Now this is exactly what these young Lakers need practice in, practice out and in the locker room, especially the returning from rookie campaign crippling injury Julius and his confidence. Surely, if Peace doesn’t suit up he’ll still be offered a coaching position with the Lakers if this one last wild shot like his one in the finals leads to retirement.
After his Queensbridge Knicks experiment with Lamar Odom (is it time to give L.O. one last shot of livelihood saving redemption?) under former Lakers winners Phil Jackson and Derek Fisher ended in a New York minute, Metta moonlighted in China and Italy as The Pandas Friend. But now with his playing days endangered the Laker legend and NBA defensive, all-time great either way could bolster a roster that has rounded into shape with guys like fellow former Indiana ‘D’ Pacer Roy Hibbert, Brandon Bass and reigning ‘Sixth Man Of The Year’ Lou Williams to go with the swag of some young players and of course the old doberman Kobe. At the very least Metta’s return to the big name game makes for some of the best looking basketball statement jerseys since World B. Free.
Now it won’t just be Miss America beauty queens wishing for World Peace.
We can just see the Wheaties box now!
