During his introductory news conference in Italy, Metta World Peace says he is a changed man.
World Peace, who signed for Pallacanestro Cantu in a move the Italian team called “the coup of the century,” addressed his controversies of the past.
“I had an up and down career,”
the 35-year-old World Peace said Thursday. “I grew up playing basketball on the streets of New York City and it was very, very rough and I started playing in the NBA in the same way.
“Now the mentality is different from when I was younger. I always had the street mentality, but when you’re older you get more mature.”
World Peace, who said he will retire when he turns 40, said his new attitude has improved his performance on the court.
“When you play angry you can’t focus,” he said. “I’ve got five more years to have a great time, so I will be playing with a lot of fire but not anger, just passion.”
World Peace averaged 19 points and six rebounds in 15 games for Sichuan.
Remember when Ron Artest would change his name to something crazy and it was still considered news? #tbt #pandafriend pic.twitter.com/9UqLAyBhTc
— SportsGrid (@SportsGrid) March 26, 2015
Metta World Peace: I am here to beat the best teams http://t.co/UHgL01IlE7 pic.twitter.com/AipVjwvtZZ
— Sportando (@sportando) March 26, 2015
Since pandas are bears, does this mean Metta World Peace and Mystikal could eventually have beef? pic.twitter.com/sVOrZmWmHk
— Jahmellolei (@leighvl) March 26, 2015