LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 06: Metta World Peace #37 of the Los Angeles Lakers points to a teammate during the first half of an NBA game against the Los Angeles Clippers on April 6, 2016 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)> at Staples Center on April 6, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

Metta World Peace is still playing professional basketball y’all. Yes, 18 years after entering the NBA as some guy named Ron Artest, that same man is playing by a different name and still having fun.

So much fun that he wanted the world to know “I love basketball” while shooting free throws for the Lakers against the Indiana Pacers on Monday night.

https://vine.co/v/5DzXV572n1v

How cute for the oh-so cuddly Metta World Peace, right?

Ok, so maybe cuddly isn’t a word anyone would ever use with Peace (or is it World Peace as the last name?). But, one would use the words mischievous and strange for sure and this incident is certainly that.

Alternatively, this could also be his way of convincing himself that nearly two decades of professional basketball is worth it? I mean, how many people play eight games, let alone 18 years of NBA basketball.

This season, Metta World Peace is averaging a whopping 0.3 points per game and playing an average of just three minutes. So look out world….Metta World Peace is on the loose in the NBA.

Whatever Metta’s reasons are, at least he isn’t creating negativity these days.

[SB Nation]

About Andrew Coppens

Andy is a contributor to The Comeback as well as Publisher of Big Ten site talking10. He also is a member of the FWAA and has been covering college sports since 2011. Andy is an avid soccer fan and runs the Celtic FC site The Celtic Bhoys. If he's not writing about sports, you can find him enjoying them in front of the TV with a good beer!