The Los Angeles Lakers snapped a six-game losing streak on Sunday with a win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. During any normal season, it would have been an expected victory against an opponent that is a measly 9-30 this season. But given the way the Lakers have underachieved all year long, any win is big news.
If you ask Metta World Peace, L.A. was simply taking care of business. Despite the team’s 16-21 record, World Peace felt the need to chastise the media for making such a fuss about a win over a lousy team.
“If I’m not mistaken, we’re supposed to beat this team,” he told reporters, via the LA Times. “Every fan that’s listening right now should just watch repeats of ‘Three’s Company.’ Turn the radio off and go watch a movie or something. I don’t mean to disrespect Cleveland, but we were supposed to win. What do you want me to say? ‘Hey we played great tonight!’
“I blame the media. Right now you have low expectations for us. Defense was great tonight? It’s supposed to be against five rookies learning how to play the game. They see Kobe [Bryant] and they’re just excited. They’re playing in Staples Center. They probably partied last night.”
The only reason anyone would call the Lakers’ defense against the Cavs “great” is that they have not been able to stop anyone this season. L.A. is allowing over 100 points per game and has one of the worst defenses in the league. World Peace is right — Cleveland is a team the Lakers should beat. However, I don’t think anyone expects them to beat any team given the way they have played.
When his rant about the game itself was over, Metta called the media “converted Clippers fans” before turning his attention to more personal matters.
“No more ‘Kobe, Kobe,'” he said with a smile. “Everything’s ‘Kobe, Kobe.’ Promote ‘Lakers.’ You guys (write), ‘Dwight Howard’s here in L.A.!’ You forget about the little guys.”
Aw, is somebody feeling left out? Let us not forget that this is a team that Jack Nicholson and Adam Sandler even recently walked out on. The Lakers simply have to get back to winning games. Worrying about who is hogging the spotlight isn’t going to help.
Video via NBC Los Angeles
