New York Knicks forward Metta World Peace predicts that the Los Angeles Lakers, a team he helped in winning the 2010 NBA title over bitter rival Boston Celtics, will make the 2014 Finals despite losing All-Star center Dwight Howard to free agency.
ESPN New York reports that World Peace predicted the Lakers making a return trip to the finals during a promotional event for his children's book in New York. "I think the Lakers are going to go to the NBA Finals," World Peace said. The defensive ace said Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant will be healthy enough to lead the team and center Pau Gasol will be back to his dominating self.
"They're gonna get another good player, boom, boom, and they're gonna go to the Finals. I believe it. Kobe's gonna come back, he's gonna play team ball, and Pau's gonna play well," ESPN New York quoted World Peace as saying.
The man formerly known as Ron Artest was amnestied in the offseason by the Lakers in a luxury tax-cutting move. With World Peace released, the Lakers were able to save some $14 million. The team thanked World Peace for his contributions to the franchise, particularly his heroics in the final quarter of Game 7 of the 2010 NBA Finals wherein the Lakers stormed back from a 13-point deficit to beat its archrivals, the Boston Celtics and win their second consecutive NBA title.
World Peace, 33, has career averages of 14 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.9 assists. He also played for the Indiana Pacers and Houston Rockets.
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