It’s 2017 and Metta World Peace dominated a game of basketball, leading the Los Angeles Lakers to a 108-96 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans. World Peace scored a team-high 18 points, sliding into the Lakers’ starting lineup in the absence of D’Angelo Russell.
Yes, these Lakers are now on a five-game winning streak. Life works in peculiar ways.
It was another amazing moment Tuesday night, though. This time it was what might be a hero’s goodbye for Ron Ron in STAPLES Center. The crowd was going absolutely crazy for him, with MET-TA chants echoing through the arena akin to KO-BE chants that have done the same.
World Peace’s 18 points came off a hot shooting night from beyond the arc (4-of-10). Perhaps more fitting, though, were the four steals he managed to swipe away. His hands haven’t aged a bit, it seems.
Another goodbye to STAPLES for the season that went quite well was Brandon Ingram’s. He put in another 15 points on his minutes restriction. His poster on Cheick Diallo is a great parting shot to leave in fans’ minds.
ith the Phoenix Suns getting smacked by the Sacramento Kings, the Lakers have locked themselves into the third-best odds heading into the lottery, but that’s seemed clear mid-way through this strange streak of victories.
Now, we get to enjoy Ingram posters, World Peace’s swan song, and one last game with absolutely no implications against Golden State Wednesday night.
Till then, friends.