LOS ANGELES >> The crowd stood ready in anticipation as they greeted Metta World Peace.
The Lakers had signed a previous fan favorite for the second consecutive year on a role that involved more mentoring than less theatrics than when he provided in that legendary Game 7 of the 2010 NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics. But there the 37-year-old forward stood on a court, ready to secure a game in crunchtime during a season that previously focused more on his younger teammates trying to do the same.
On the fast break of the last possession of the game, Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell set World Peace for an open 3-pointer.