For all the unpredictability surrounding this season, there’s one area where the Lakers have remained uncomfortably consistent. They continue to pile up significant injuries. The latest victim: Lakers forward Metta World Peace had an MRI Tuesday in Minneapolis that showed a lateral meniscus tear in his left knee.
There is no word on how the forward will go about the injury, but Chase Budinger missed most of this season with the same injury, so it’s reasonable to assume that World Peace may be done for the season. So how did he feel about the unexpected extent of his injury?
It’s good that Metta remains positive and confident about his team, as he has for much of this dysfunctional season, but making the playoffs could be a tough task without his defense, which has already lost a step or four since his heyday. Still, he’s the best defensive wing on the team, period.
Even if his team can squeak by the Utah Jazz and Dallas Mavericks – both teams are one game behind the Lakers for the eighth seed – they will likely have a date with the San Antonio Spurs in the first round for a quick and dreadful exit. Simply put, Metta’s optimism is delusional at this point.
Many will remember these Lakers as a monumental failure of a project when all said and done, and most will put plenty of blame on the coach for not making it work. In reality, we never had a chance to see them fully develop into what they could have been, due to an inordinate amount of bad luck. It wasn’t inconceivable to think that they could still come together in time to make some kind of run in the playoffs. Unfortunately – with Metta out for the foreseeable future – it looks like we never will see what these guys were really supposed to be about, which is pretty sad if you think about the amount of talent they still have.
Tweet of the Night: Mike Miller
Aw, man, Metta’s out for the season? Then yes, we are truly over and done this year. What defense we do play is due to Metta and Dwight mostly. Now we’re just going to get run off the floor.
Get better soon Metta and see you next year hopefully recovered.