Metta World Peace, aka the Lakers forward formerly known as Ron Artest, wanted to honor his former teammate Kobe Bryant with his latest jersey number. Problem is, World Peace missed the deadline.
World Peace attempted to wear number 60 to pay respect to Bryant’s incredible, yet egregious, final game in the league. Bryant’s performance in his career finale was Kobe’s game personified, as he jacked up an NBA record 50 shots, scoring 60 points – the number World Peace oddly covets.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzpsyFvz7W0
Speaking with the OC Register, World Peace said he wanted to surprise Kobe with the number change.
“I so wanted that No. 60,” he said. “That’s all I was talking about, if I got back to the Lakers, was changing my number to 60.”
“I wanted to surprise him,” World Peace said of the tribute. “I was so honored to be there. But, whatever.”
Unfortunately for World Peace, upon signing his contract with the Lakers, the deadline to change jersey numbers had come and gone. Unless the 37-year-old somehow gets special permission from the league, he’s unfortunately stuck with number 37.
At least Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak is supportive (at least, as supportive as one can be, given the player involved) of Metta’s request.
“It’s Metta,” Kupchak said, shrugging when asked about the request.
Never change Mr. World Peace.
