Metta World Peace to Sportando: I want to stay in Europe next season

(Foto: Ciamillo & Castoria)

Metta World Peace spoke with Sportando about his thoughts to continue playing basketball in Europe next season.
The American star could easily play in the NBA, but it seems that he wants to know basketball in many countries.
The 35 years old forward says that his daughter persuaded him to play in Italy this year.
Cantù wants to keep him, however he hasn't cleared things up, only says that he likes the Italian league.

How did you decide to play in Europe? Is there anything from European basketball that impresses you?
At the beginning of the season I had a few offers from the NBA but I decided to go to China. I spent there three months, then I went back to the US to stay with my children. I was working out in Los Angeles when Federico (Italian agent) informed me about the chance to go to Italy. I always wanted to play in Europe and I made it done! I like European basketball because is a team basketball. I played in the college with Elton Brand, Bootsy Thornton and Lamar Odom. Nobody averaged more than 13 points per game.


(Foto: Ciamillo & Castoria)

You impressed in your first games in Cantù. How did you choose this team to continue your career?
Cantù asked me to come to Italy to reach the Play Offs. I spoke with my daughter first, and she said: "why not? Just Play". So I decided to become an Italian League player.

You were in Los Angeles Lakers the years of their titles. Do you think that the injuries of Kobe Bryant reflect on the team and that's why they don't have enough quality anymore?
Absolutely. Lakers had a lot of injuries this season. First of all the problems with Kobe affected the team. I think this is the biggest reason of their negative season.

Did Kobe Bryant, whose father had a career in Italy, affected your decision to play in Italy?
No, I didn’t talk to Kobe before my arrival in Italy. I think that would be a good thing for Italian championship if many NBA players come to Italy to increase the level of Italian basketball. Italian championship is a very good level league.



(Foto: Ciamillo & Castoria)

Will you ever return to the NBA and for which team?
Basketball is not only NBA. You can play basketball all over the world. I’m happy to be here and I love Italian basketball. Therefore, I'm thinking to play basketball again in Europe next year.

Which team do you see as this year's NBA champion?
All the teams that reached the final of their conference have good chances to win the title, because they are good teams. At the beginning of the playoffs I thought that San Antonio had the best system, based on team basketball. But they faced a talented team as the Clippers are. Now, anything can happen.

Many change their names but rarely they get a name with a social meaning. Is the world to have peace your biggest need?
I love the earth and the nature: the sea and the beach. We have to reset our relationship with the world. And, of course, peace is a fundamental need.

Interview by Maria Karvouni