5 Reasons Lakers Fans Love Metta World Peace

April 26, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers small forward Metta World Peace (15) controls the ball against the San Antonio Spurs during the first half in game three of the first round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

No. 2 – He Enjoys the Game of Basketball

Self-proclaimed as one of the best small forwards in the league, World Peace, signed a one-year non-guaranteed deal worth $1.5 million at the ripe old age of 35. Though there were plenty of doubters, it seems he has silenced both critics and Lakers announcers alike with his demeanor, interviews and mostly in his tenacity playing the game of basketball.

The Lakers played the Utah Jazz in Hawaii a week ago, and the game was lackluster until World Peace entered the game. He was directing his team on defense, he was pushing the offense, and he just willed the team to perform.

His performance that night made a huge difference to the team, and announcers were singing his praises. Funny how that happens. Fans who always believed in World Peace could sit back and feel victorious that their support was warranted and could now say, ‘I told you so!’

MWP is one of a few NBA players still willing to play with Kobe Bryant. World Peace has a ton of respect for Bryant, not only because they’re friends, but more likely because they share the same drive to practice, win and compete.

Mark Medina interviewed World Peace and found out what has helped drive him to work hard to get back into the NBA.

"“Kobe is the main reason why I worked so hard in the last couple of years,” World Peace said after posting seven points on 2-of-5 shooting, four rebounds, four turnovers and two assists in 21 minutes in the Lakers’ 117-114 overtime loss to Utah on Tuesday at Stan Sheriff Center. “I always wanted to come back and play with Kobe. I remember playing with Kobe, the sacrifices he made, playing hard, making unbelievable shots and showing unbelievable fundamentals. People can say he’s selfish all they want. But in the game, he’s so fundamentally sound. That’s tough to be fundamentally sound under all that pressure.”"

Metta and Kobe were once rivals when the former was a Houston Rocket. Now they are teammates again, teammates who have won an NBA Championship together.

Not having World Peace on the team was hard for quite a few Lakers fans. Seeing him in a Knicks jersey was almost heart-breaking. Many believe he had a lot of basketball left in him, but he had some knee issues, and he needed to heal and come back to form.

He seems to have done just that. He cannot stay away from the game, he puts it all out there on the court, he’s a veteran who plays like he just got into the league.

Next: No. 1 - He Is Multi-Talented