Before heading into the 2015-16 NBA season, a tough decision had to be made to finalize the roster. It came down to Jabari Brown and Metta World Peace for the Los Angeles Lakers with head coach Byron Scott admittedly saying it was a tough choice between the two players.
Ultimately, the Lakers went with World Peace, and it appears they’ve made the right decision. World Peace has played much better than anticipated in his return to Los Angeles and has started at small forward when Kobe Bryant is resting.
Coach Scott is already singing his praises claiming the veteran forward plays a significant role on his squad, via Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News:
Byron on Metta: "I was real leery if he was going to be able to get through training camp. Now he’s playing a major role for us."
— Mark Medina (@MarkG_Medina) November 17, 2015
On Monday night, World Peace was in the starting lineup for a second time this season filling in for Kobe Bryant. The five-time NBA champion sat out to rest after playing a season-high 37 minutes in the win over the Detroit Pistons a day earlier.
World Peace played well once again as a starter in Monday’s game against the Phoenix Suns. The 36-year-old scored 12 points on 4-of-6 shooting to go along with four rebounds and an assist.
Although Brown did bring a certain dynamic to the Lakers as a scorer off the bench, World Peace has been a solid contributor on both ends of the basketball floor. World Peace’s defensive presence has been contagious at times while he’s also been efficient offensively in the starting lineup or the second unit.
World Peace and company will now have three days to get ready for Friday’s game against the Toronto Raptors back home at the Staples Center. Los Angeles will be looking for only their second win on their home floor this season.