Los Angeles Lakers: Should Metta World Peace be an assistant coach in the future?
Given his wealth of knowledge and experience, should the Los Angeles Lakers consider giving Metta World Peace a coaching gig if he does not play another NBA game?
Metta World Peace is easily one of the most beloved, respected Los Angeles Lakers in recent memory. His crowning achievement with the team came in 2010 when he helped them earn back-to-back championships.
Let alone that, another key takeaways from his time in the City of Angels are his tenacious defense and the leadership he exemplified. The former has never been in question for the majority of his career given his sturdy 260-pound physique.
That previously echoed physique has made it difficult for even players like LeBron James to deal with.
Regarding the latter, the ballplayer has shown signs of this throughout his last two years in Los Angeles. Even supposing the minimal playing time, World Peace should be thanked for the mentorship he has bestowed upon these Lakers.
More from Lakers News
- Darvin Ham adds to Max Christie hype train after Lakers preseason opener
- Is LeBron James playing tonight? Latest Lakers vs Warriors update
- Can Darvin Ham put all of the Lakers puzzle pieces together?
- Lakers news: Darvin Ham knows his fifth starter, LeBron James and Rui Hachimura, Jalen Hood-Schifino praise
- Michael Malone’s painfully ironic comment has Lakers fans heated
The bulky small forward has been far more than a cheerleader. He has been around to talk sense into what remains a developing bunch but has been quite a major help in doing so.
His example indicates that a player’s impact can extend beyond what exists in the box score.
Headlines often resort to discussing what happens on the playing confines. However, World Peace deserves credit. His chances of being a Laker headed into the season were barely existent, to begin with.
Thus, the Panda’s Friend as some call him defied the odds. He did not let a silly percentage define him.
Granted he made the cut this time around, the Lakers’ roster will be without the popular player this fall.
It is well-known that President of Basketball Operations Magic Johnson intends to not resign the small forward. Whether he ever sees time on the hardwood again is dubious at best.
With that parcel of information in mind, it begs the question; if Metta does not sign elsewhere this fall, would the Lakers considering giving him a coaching role?
Lindsey Thiry of the Los Angeles Times wrote an article on World Peace following the end of the Lakers season. Within the piece, she sheds light on head coach Luke Walton’s desire to have Metta on board whenever the former Defensive Player of the Year decides to hang it up.
"We’d love to have him back. Come back and talk to us and see how we can have you be around and continue to help these young guys."
It does not mean it will happen for sure in 2017-2018. There is certainly a possibility that another team may crave to have a seasoned veteran such as World Peace on their roster.
Although that may be true, Metta still hinted at his desire to coach down the line in an exit interview found on the Lakers website.
What is also interesting to point out from said interview is how much he enjoyed the array of challenges from this past season, albeit it was yet another losing campaign.
Veteran players (and anyone for that matter) are generally not fans of losing. While it is fair to say he did not like that this past year, World Peace discerns that a unit needs to go through trials in order to grow.
Related Story: 30 Greatest Scorers In Lakers History
This element insinuates that he already has the right mindset to coach at some point. It demonstrates patience, too, another ingredient these young Lakers need (even if some of the fans may not think so).
It is a personality trait Walton already has in his arsenal as well. Assuming the curly-haired coach will be sticking around for a while, the pairing would be sensible.
However, World Peace could also be perfect for the team because he is largely an antithesis of Walton. Metta originates from a slightly earlier era of hoops that was flat out tougher.
Metta is literally one of the few remnants left from the 1990s. Certain no-calls at that point would be personal fouls today and personal fouls then would now be possibly coined as technicals.
Accordingly, World Peace could help inject some mental and physical toughness into this current tandem. He can be more of a tough love kind of coach. Walton, on the other hand, certainly better fits the mold of a player’s coach.
Additionally, an NBA veteran like World Peace could also imbue the young Lakers with some other good habits. In an article written by ESPN staff writer Baxter Holmes, Walton referenced some of his former teammate’s special attributes after the Lakers final home game.
"He takes care of his body as well as anybody I’ve ever seen or played with. He works extremely hard every single day, never complains, always ready to go when called upon and kind of takes a lot of the young guys and talks to them when they need talking to. And it’s just been great having him around all season."
Such analysis further suggests that World Peace may be more than suitable for a coaching-oriented role in the future. Traits analogous to the ones that Walton imparted cannot really be taught.
It is largely why World Peace was given one last shot to don the purple-and-gold.
As a result, Metta’s presence could be just what the doctor ordered for this Los Angeles Lakers squad.
It may not transpire immediately per se. Be that as it may, the abovementioned speaks for itself as to the type of coach World Peace could be.
Next: 50 Greatest Players In Lakers Franchise History
It is not to say that Metta would be able to solve every issue this team has. Nevertheless, offering him an assistant coaching role at some stage is worth consideration.