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David Nwaba added 14 points for Los Angeles.
Watch the chants erupt during Tuesday's clash with the Pelicans once the veteran exits the game.
World Peace continued, "And this year, he said, 'You got a 10 percent chance to make the team - 10 percent.' He asked me, 'Do you want to come?' Easy". "That's it. Who knows what will happen after this". When World Peace played with the Lakers from 2009 through 2013, plenty of fans sounded anxious when he took 3-pointers or ran the fast break.
"They used to boo", World Peace said. While the Lakers had just won the 2009 National Basketball Association title, the former Artest had not fully rehabbed his public image after his role in the Malice at the Palace brawl five years earlier.
In what could be his final home game as a member of the Lakers, World Peace got the call in the starting lineup in the place of D'Angelo Russell and put up a strong outing with a team-high 18 points on 7-of-17 shooting with 4-of-10 shooting from 3-point range and four steals in 25 minutes played. "I don't play all season, but I get in the game and still do okay".
On Tuesday night, though, Staples Center didn't want to take any chances and ensured that World Peace felt the love and heard his name: "Metta!"
The Staples Center crowd stood ready in anticipation as they greeted Metta World Peace. It was always about the team.
World Peace downplayed the initial adjustments he faced fitting into Phil Jackson's triangle offense and meshing with a star-studded roster that included Bryant, Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom, Derek Fisher and Andrew Bynum.
After serving as a mentor for almost the past two seasons, the Lakers' 37-year-old forward suddenly showed flashes of what the former Ron Artest once demonstrated in his prime. "When the fans were booing me and I was open ..."
It was a picture flawless night for what could have been Metta World Peace's final game at Staples Center.
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Alves had been one of the architects of Barcelona's dominance in Spanish and European soccer in past years. Sure, it's a big game, but you've got to play it with the ambition of reaching the next round.
"You give me a 1 percent, you may as well give me the spot", World Peace said. "You give yourselves a chance".
World Peace joined the Lakers in 2009 and immediately played a major role on their 16th NBA championship team, hitting a 3-pointer that turned out to be the last field goal in Game 7 of the 2010 NBA Finals against Boston. "Metta World Peace is going to make a game-winning three".
"I think was the first time that I ever got emotional like that", Ingram said.
"I wanted to shoot the three". I didn't care about the ring as much. "I didn't play in a long time".
NOTES: Lakers coach Luke Walton offered high praise for F Metta World Peace, who isn't expected to return to the club next season.
"I was copying off of [Chad] Ochocinco", said World Peace, referring to the former National Football League wide receiver. "I really don't. It's not my time anymore. Do something positive and a little different".
Hence, World Peace produced effectively enough when granted more playing time.
After resting Klay Thompson in a 105-99 loss to the Utah Jazz on Monday, Warriors coach Steve Kerr announced Tuesday that he will be sitting Draymond Green and Andre Iguodala in the season finale. "I could've died", World Peace said, smiling.
Meanwhile, World Peace's teammates struggled saying his name with a straight face.
"We want to reward Metta every chance we get for how great he's been this year and the way he's worked and the way he helps the young guys and being positive", Walton told the Los Angeles Daily News. Now just like anything else, it's a habit. "That's it. I don't think about anything else".
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