LOS ANGELES – Underneath the smile and friendly personality, Metta World Peace acknowledged he was upset.
After hearing Nick Young and Lou Williams talk trash about his age during training camp, World Peace remained determined this season to climb the Lakers’ leaderboard that calculates drills won in practice. On the final practice, however, World Peace lost to teammate Tarik Black by one point after picking the wrong team for an impromptu dodgeball competition organized by Coach Luke Walton.
“I’m so mad about that,” World Peace said. “No way I should’ve lost. I’m so sick.”
So, World Peace unleashed his frustration in the Lakers’ 108-96 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday at Staples Center, providing the kind of energetic performance that made him a fan favorite even before his Game 7 performance in the 2010 NBA Finals.