LeBron James Reminds Metta World Peace of a More ‘Athletic’ Metta World Peace

The whole world watched LeBron James have his way with the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday. Metta World Peace, in particular, was torched by James — which has become the norm the last few years. Metta wouldn’t give LBJ too many props, but did claim that James is a more athletic version of himself. Yes, he actually said this. Per the LA Times: “There wasn’t much Lakers Coach Mike D’Antoni could say. ‘Well, he struggled against LeBron James, so I don’t know if that’s struggling,’ he said. ‘But, uh, I don’t know what to make of it.’ World Peace, 33, also had a bad game on offense, continuing a long shooting slump. He had nine points on three-for-11 shooting, the 17th consecutive game he failed to make more than half his shots. One by one, the Lakers lined up and said immensely flattering things about James. ‘He’s just playing exceptional basketball,’ Kobe Bryant said. ‘He’s out of this world,’ Steve Nash said. World Peace wasn’t overly complimentary afterward, other than saying James was a ‘smart player.’ … ‘You’ve got to give credit to everybody,’ World Peace said. ‘You’ve got to give credit to the shooters on his team. You’ve got to give credit to coaches drawing up great plays. You’ve got to give credit to the screen-and-rolls that they set. It’s all about the team. It’s not about one individual.’ But what if that individual is averaging 35.5 points in two games against the Lakers while shooting a sublime 67%? And averaging seven rebounds, six assists and three steals in the two victories? ‘I’m like four or five years before my career’s over. I compliment after my career’s over,’ said World Peace, who has one more year and $7.7 million left on his Lakers contract. […] The closest World Peace came to complimenting James was a couple of days before the game. ‘He’s definitely strong,’ World Peace said, trying to find the right metaphor. ‘He reminds me of a more athletic me.'”