Much like Steve Nash means everything to the fashion and function of Los Angeles' star-studded core, World Peace is a cure-all for a Lakers bench that's about as effective as Muggsy Bogues playing center.
I'd like to say I was exaggerating, but I'm not.
Last season, Los Angeles' bench was dead last in the NBA with 20.5 points scored. They shot just 41.6 percent from the floor overall and a dastardly 33.9 percent from beyond the arc.
As if their self-inflicted offensive woes weren't enough, the Lakers reserves allowed 32.9 points per contest, ninth-most in the league and a mark that ensured they were outscored by 12.4 per night.
Just like I wished I could say the Bogues reference was overkill, I wish I could now say Los Angeles' pine-riders have changed. But they haven't.
The Lakers bench is currently scoring just 25.5 points per game, third-worst in the Association. It's also shooting a lukewarm 42.4 percent from the field while allowing opponents to score 33.6 points a bout.
So yeah, not much has changed in Hollywood outside of the starting lineup.
Meaning?
World Peace is about to get his second-unit savior on.
The Lakers small forward turned power forward has spent the last few games coming off the bench in Mike D'Antoni's attempt to both inject some life into Los Angeles' second-tiered cavalry and cover up the disaster that has become Antawn Jamison.
Bold? Of course. Questionable? Absolutely not.
From the start, D'Antoni believed (via Arash Markazi of ESPNLosAngeles.com) that Metta would be a productive asset off the bench:
I want (World Peace) to play the four. We have to be able to change our team. I hate it for Jordan Hill right now, because he's the odd man out. He's played well. He's a good player. But for us to have a dif...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
