HoopsHype.com Rumors

Mike Trudell: Goudelock learned a ton from his veteran teammates. He cited @Metta World Peace for staying in great shape, esp. the stuff he eats. Twitter

Los Angeles Lakers, Andrew Goudelock, Metta World Peace 

Yet it was Metta World Peace who provided the most support, especially to the younger players. “Metta was great all year,” he said. “People don’t get to see what a great teammate he is. A lot of times, he will bite his tongue so the team will flow. … He tries to keep the team together. “Even when he wasn’t playing (during suspension) he was encouraging the young players, telling us to stay ready.” Orange County Register

Los Angeles Lakers, Darius Morris, Metta World Peace 

Metta World Peace: Breaking news!!!! I officially love all my haters.... Please check out my comedy podcast on iTunes and my mixtape.. Twitter

Los Angeles Lakers, Metta World Peace 

Metta World Peace: I'm also doing my comedy tour again this year.... If yal liked my last comedy tour tell a friend and don't miss it... More juicy this year!! Twitter

Los Angeles Lakers, Metta World Peace 

Ken Berger: One Pacer on Pittman hit on Stephenson: Metta World Peace would be "suspended for life" if he did that. Twitter

Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Lance Stephenson, Dexter Pittman, Referees, Metta World Peace 

Chris Tomasson: Danny Granger on Haslem foul: “It was just as dangerous as what I think Metta World Peace did to James Harden.’’ Twitter

Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Oklahoma City Thunder, Danny Granger, James Harden, Dexter Pittman, Referees, Metta World Peace 

But then World Peace went to some trouble, apparently to make clear he was not blaming his coach for the Lakers' playoff departure. "Mike wasn't out there guarding Kevin [Durant]," he explains. "That was me. Kevin scored on me. Mike didn't miss that 3-point shot. I missed it. Mike didn't come into camp out of shape." Then he paused. "Wait ... he did come in out of shape. Mike is a fat ass." ESPN.com

Los Angeles Lakers, Mike Brown, Metta World Peace 

Metta World Peace was the first player in for season-ending meetings with Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak and Lakers coach Mike Brown, and he had his own perspective on where the team is now: “Definitely underachieved,” World Peace said. “Best team in the NBA lost in five. Best team in the NBA should be up 3-2, playing tomorrow.” World Peace reiterated his belief the Lakers, who blew two late-game leads in the Western Conference semifinals, had Oklahoma City “fairly easy.” But he allowed that the Thunder “took advantage” of the situation. “This season was an error,” World Peace said. Orange County Register

Los Angeles Lakers, Metta World Peace 

World Peace said Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol should’ve been more assertive late in games. He said his teammates, particularly younger ones, deferred too much to Kobe Bryant. “At the end of the game, guys got to trust themselves more,” World Peace said. “Not myself, but sometimes guys look to Kobe too much. Guys have to understand Mitch brought you here, so Mitch also assembled teams that won championships, so he knows what he is doing. And he brought you here for a reason, because you’re good. So believe in yourself.” World Peace said it’s a feeling he had when he first joined the Lakers: “Sometimes I would be in awe. Watching Kobe to see if he would make the shot. … Playing with Kobe for a long time, I understand I need to chip in.” Orange County Register

Los Angeles Lakers, Metta World Peace 

Arash Markazi: I'd be surprised if the Lakers don't amnesty Artest ($15 million over 2 years) and pursue trades for Gasol and Bynum. Twitter

Los Angeles Lakers, Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum, Metta World Peace 

Janis Carr: Asked about getting a handshake from World Peace, Harden said it was a "sigh of relief." Was he talking about the game or handshake? Twitter

Los Angeles Lakers, Oklahoma City Thunder, James Harden, Metta World Peace 

Darnell Mayberry: World Peace to Harden: "Good job." Twitter

Los Angeles Lakers, Oklahoma City Thunder, James Harden, Metta World Peace 

World Peace placed the blame for the bad pass on his own shoulders, saying “I should have cut. He saw me open and I should have cut.” Orange County Register

Los Angeles Lakers, Oklahoma City Thunder, Pau Gasol, Metta World Peace 

Metta World Peace and Russell Westbrook of the Thunder each received a technical foul Friday for their part in this second-quarter scuffle. Should World Peace gotten the same punishment? Orange County Register

Oklahoma City Thunder, Russell Westbrook, Metta World Peace 

The only other Laker who doesn't communicate with me or even give me a nod of recognition is Andrew Bynum, who I've never spoken one word to since he became a Laker seven years ago. All the other players are very nice to me. I have a terrific relationship with Ron Artest/Metta World Peace. He comes up to me at halftime of every game and has a little chat. During the NBA Finals in Boston, the Lakers had their own private dining room. He insisted that I go into the dining room with him, even though I told him that I didn't think it was a good idea. So he couldn't care less that I don't root for the Lakers. GQ.com

Los Angeles Lakers, Andrew Bynum, Metta World Peace, James Goldstein 

Etan Thomas: Had Metta World Peace stepped on someone's stomach the way Kevin Love did, would he have received a harsher punishment ? HoopsHype

Los Angeles Lakers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Kevin Love, Metta World Peace 

Metta World Peace wasn’t sitting around during his seven-game suspension, tweeting, practicing and hanging out with fans. The Lakers small forward also was awaiting this month’s Lowrider Magazine, which features him on the cover. The photo, which shows him with a bikini-clad woman on his lap in front of lockers, was actually taken last season, but recently published. It’s not the most high-brow of magazines, but what do you expect? Orange County Register

Los Angeles Lakers, Metta World Peace 

Metta World Peace on the situation with James Harden: "Right now, it's about basketball, you know. I think after the season if fans want to talk to me, you know tweet me or hit me up online on ronartest.com or go to my podcast, the Ron and Metta Show. I think that after the season we can talk about that, but right now it's more about basketball for me." Sulia

Los Angeles Lakers, Oklahoma City Thunder, James Harden, Metta World Peace 

World Peace was greeted with one memorable sign: "Metta World Peace Of Crap." He was also booed with every touch of the ball. And, as you might expect, he played fine in the furor, scoring 12 points. Asked if the booing bothered him, he laughed and said, "They're not Laker fans. They're Oklahoma fans. There are some good-looking women. I looked up one time and said, Oklahoma, you're beautiful." Orange County Register

Los Angeles Lakers, Oklahoma City Thunder, James Harden, Metta World Peace 

World Peace said the Thunder players normally ignore greetings before the games. "I shake everybody's hand before the game, but Oklahoma City, they don't shake hands," World Peace said. "Only some of them, but I don't think they really shake hands before the game. Kendrick Perkins and now (Russell) Westbrook don't shake hands either. (Russell) used to shake hands, but now he don't shake hands anymore." Chicago Tribune

Los Angeles Lakers, Oklahoma City Thunder, Metta World Peace