5 Adjustments Metta World Peace Must Make to Become an Elite Defender Again

Published: September 17, 2012Posted in: LA LakersTags:
Once upon a time, Metta World Peace was Ron Artest, and once upon a time before that, Ron Artest was among the most feared defenders in the NBA. His combination of size, strength, quick feet and even quicker hands made him the bane of every opposing forward's existence.

So much so that he earned four All-Defensive selections between 2003 and 2009 and was named the 2003-04 Defensive Player of the Year.

Father Time hasn't exactly been kind to MWP and his game. His skills have declined considerably since he first joined the Los Angeles Lakers in 2009, and while it's hardly unusual for a veteran to suffer offensively in a new system and with a new role, his more-recent defensive downfall is far more disconcerting.

After all, World Peace's calling card, his bread-and-butter, has long been his ability to shut down his man.

All is far from lost, though. If MWP does these five things this season, he could become some semblance of a defensive ace again.

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