During the off-season, there were reports of one-time champion Metta World Peace working out with Julius Randle at the Los Angeles Lakers practice facility. With World Peace becoming a mentor for the team’s young star, he eventually earned a training camp roster spot on a non-guaranteed contract. While some wanted the Lakers to keep young prospects like Jabari Brown and Robert Upshaw, World Peace played well enough and made the Opening Night roster.
With the Lakers starting the season 1-7, World Peace has been one of the few bright spots. While mentoring the team, World Peace is averaging 11.5 points and has provided the Lakers with a much needed defensive intensity. In an exclusive interview with Zolan Kanno-Youngs of the Wall Street Journal, World Peace says the Lakers are struggling because they have fish brains:
“Some of the guys forgot how we got the lead, kind of like a fish,” he said. “You know how fish dig their thing in 30 second intervals? Then run into a mirror. Then they go, ‘Oh, that hurt…’ Sometimes we forget and the fish brain comes out. Maybe they ate too much sushi. Maybe they should just stick to the red meat. Maybe just be vegan.”
It is a very amusing analogy from World Peace as the Lakers have suffered numerous fourth quarter collapses this season. With most of the players in the early stages of their careers, it will take time to learn how to play together. While D’Angelo Russell, Julius Randle and Jordan Clarkson have shown flashes of potential, there is room for improvement as the Lakers prepare for the post-Kobe Bryant era.
The Lakers five-game road trip comes to an end tonight as they face the Dallas Mavericks. While Kobe is questionable with back soreness, Randle returns home as he looks to lead the Lakers with a much needed win before returning to Los Angeles.