Metta World Peace

Metta on NBC's "Safety Blitz"

Krystle Mendoza — Mon, 06 May 2013 10:00:00 -0700

Metta was on "Safety Blitz" with Eytan Shander and Rodney Harrison. The interview will air on Saturday at 8am ET on NBC Sports Radio and NBCSportsRadio.com.

Listen to the MP3 courtesy of NBC Sports

Metta on the Memphis Grizzlies, Dwight Howard, and Jason Collins

Krystle Mendoza — Fri, 03 May 2013 10:30:00 -0700

Listen to the MP3 courtesy of the Doug Gottlieb Show

Metta: Lakers Need to Stop Watching Kobe and Just Do Their Job Individually

Krystle Mendoza — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 16:43:00 -0800

Lakers forward Metta World Peace talks about the incredible comeback victory over the Hornets. Metta says the team has to stop watching Kobe and just do their job individually.

Metta World Peace, LA Lakers: 3/7 [ESPN LA 710]

Metta World Peace meets with Congress to discuss H.R. 628

Krystle Mendoza — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 10:25:00 -0800

Metta World Peace speaks with Leader Pelosi and other members of Congress about H.R. 628, The Mental Health in Schools Act.

Rep. Napoliano, Metta World Peace, Rep. Mike Thompson and Rep. Bobby Scott discuss the Mental Health in Schools Act with members of the press

Rep. Thompson, Leader Pelosi, Metta ...

Rep. Napolitano, Metta World Peace Promote Mental Health

Krystle Mendoza — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 17:25:00 -0800

Today, Rep. Grace F. Napolitano (CA-32) and Los Angeles Laker Metta World Peace, joined with other Members of Congress on Capitol Hill to call for the passage of H.R. 628, the Mental Health in Schools Act, and an open dialogue on mental health.

Rep. Napolitano, Metta World Peace Promote Mental He...

Shea Buckner: Playing The Ball With USA Olympian

Jessica Badawi — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 22:19:00 -0800

For Shea Buckner, competing in the Olympics was a childhood dream that turned into a reality this past summer at the 2012 summer Olympics in London. Buckner currently plays professional water polo in Sardinia, Italy and the dream continues to live as he trains for the 2016 Olympics in Brazil. His success is an example that determination, hard work and focus will get you where you want in life.

I had the chance to sit down with him and ask him a few questions about his career, life in Italy, and found out who his favorite athlete is.

Was being in the Olympics a childhood dream or did you always think that you would be doing something else right now?

I was watching the 1996 Olympics with my dad and I told him that I was going to be an Olympian. At that time I was also a baseball player, so I never really realized how serious that goal and that dream would really be. When I turned 18, I had to make a decision to either play baseball or water polo in college and it came down to me just wanting to be an Olympian and it stuck with me my whole life. I chose water polo over baseball because of the Olympic dream.

What would you be doing right now if you weren’t playing Water Polo?

That's interesting... I would probably be playing baseball because just to be honest, I was a pretty good player, I threw really hard. I'm also into finance, I taught myself how to trade options on my downtime. Maybe I'd do real estate. I have no idea, it's kind of funny, once you get involved in a sport, you don't really consider other things. When I'm not playing, I'm doing things for sponsors and when you're not doing that, you're getting back on shape to start the season again. You're always doing something for your sport regardless if you're actually playing the sport or not.

So we’ll be seeing you in Brazil?

Yes. As long as I stay healthy.

What’s the craziest thing that’s ever happened to you under water?

There's a lot of grabbing and kicking. You get hit in the junk sometimes, which really sucks in the middle of the game, but you can't stop. I've probably had like 40 stitches on my face, I've had four concussions, broken my hands...

How are you liking Italy?

It's amazing. Italy is a lot different from here. It's my third year playing professional over there, so I now speak the language- I speak fluent Italian, which makes it easier.

So you taught yourself?

Yes. This year I started studying. Two years ago, I was the guy who sat there and didn't talk, and as time went on, I was able to pick up the language.

What part of Italy?

I live in Sardinia. Food is amazing, the culture, the people are very hospitable. They want to be involved in your life, they ask questions, they care. It's all about family, just more of a wholesome attitude. I love it.

Any thoughts about the Lakers?

Fans need to understand that it’s not how you start; it’s how you finish. They're doing better. I got to know Kobe really well at the Olympics; he's my favorite athlete.

Want to learn more about Shea? follow him on Twitter @sheabuckner or go to www.sheabuckner.com

L.A. Laker Honored for Mental Health Advocacy

Krystle Mendoza — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 16:31:00 -0800

World Peace was presented with the UCLA Health System’s CICARE Award, the highest honor awarded by the health system for extraordinary care and concern for patients. Dr. David Feinberg, chief executive officer of the UCLA Health System, and Dr. Thomas Strouse, medical director of the Stewart and Lynda Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital, were quoted in the coverage.

Metta World Peace Receives UCLA Health System CICARE Award [NBA.com]
Metta World Peace Award: Mental Health Work Honored With Ci Care Award At Ronald Reagan Medical Center [HuffPo]
Metta World Peace honored by UCLA [FoxSportsWest]
VIDEO: Metta World Peace Honored By UCLA Health - From "Backstage: Lakers" [Time Warner Cable SportsNet]

The Sacred C: Canadian Center Sacre Hopes to Bring a Championship to the Lakers

Jessica Badawi — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 09:46:00 -0700

Last Friday, I had the privilege of interviewing Robert Sacre at the Lakers practice facility. Walking down the hallway that hung framed photos of Laker legends, hearing the sound of basketballs bouncing and swishes being made, and passing through the media room which lead me to my first steps on the court, all made the moments leading up to my interview surreal as a lifelong Laker fan. I caught them as practice was ending, but the whole team was still there - most of them still shooting around and playing against each other. After taking directions from Metta, I made my way to the back of the court where media was surrounding Kobe in the corner, and Robert Sacre was shooting free throws.

I was excited to interview Sacre because besides being humble, this 23 year old, 7 foot center from Canada is a star in the making. As he fills in the starter position for Dwight Howard during the preseason, we get to witness his game improve and strengthen in this 2012-2013 championship journey. To many Laker fans, he has already done his job in proving himself a position on the roster with his excellent interior scoring and consistent blocks and rebounds.

What I got from my interview was Sacre's extreme focus to just be the best he can be. The NBA has a specific time restriction on the video, including how long it gets to be online, so below is my interview with him for your convenience.

After welcoming him to Los Angeles, I told him that I believed the Lakers made the right decision signing him. His statement of knowing that his job is to help the team win another ring shows his true dedication and drive as a team player. He politely thanked me and then we began the interview:

Q: It's your very first game with the Lakers and Coach Brown makes you one of the starters. Can you explain the magnitude of starting with 4 legends?

A: I think that was the most surreal feeling I’ve ever had, for the fact that a year ago, I was watching the Lakers and then at this time, Saturday, I was playing with those guys in the starting 5 and I never thought my first game ever in the NBA would be like that, but dreams really do come true as long as you work hard.

Q: How much pressure did you put on yourself to perform your best/or prove to mike brown to start you?

A: I didn’t really put any pressure; I just did what I needed to do. Obviously you’re going to have a little nerves, but it’s nothing I haven’t seen before.

Q: Your very first point as a Laker was an assist from Steve Nash. Two guys from Canada. He even tweeted saying, "Who would have thought that two guys from BC would be starting for the Lakers". How amazing was that and has Nash given you any advice so far?

A: You know, Steve gives me a lot of great advice- things to work on in the game and (things) that I can do to get better. It’s great that the veterans all come in and help out the rookies and young guys, so I’m very fortunate about that and it is kind of special that two guys from the same place in Canada can do this.

Q: Any goals you would like to share?

A: Just to help this team out and win. That’s all I really want to do. Whatever my team needs me to do, I have no problem doing it.

I would like to thank John Black, Robert Sacre, the Los Angeles Lakers, and the NBA for approving the interview.

What You Think About, You Bring About

Jessica Badawi — Sun, 09 Sep 2012 20:10:00 -0700

The average person has about 60,000 thoughts per day. Take a second and think about all you have thought about so far today. How much has been positive? Negative? It has been estimated that 70% of our thoughts are negative and most of the time it’s habitual, unconscious thinking and we don’t even know that we’re emitting negativity. As you are reading this, you may be denying these statements, but let me ask you, how happy are you with your life right now? Are you living your dreams? Do you love your job? How many times do crazy, uncomfortable situations come up in your life and you accept them?

You see, people strive after happiness and want to remain happy once it is in their possession. Most will define happiness as the absence of pain. Freud once said that the goal of happiness is negative if the aim is at the absence of pain and unpleasure. We tend to want comfort and do not want to stray away from it but it’s really the stepping outside of what is known that brings us new opportunities that lead us to many great things. What people fail to remember is that to struggle is to achieve. With pain, we gain the strength that we need to endure the things that come along with our dreams.

What we all have to remember is that we can’t let the fear of pain stop us. Many times, fear is unfortunately what holds us back from what we want and instead, gives us more undesirable situations to deal with.

Yes, we all have our own stories, but nobody wants to hear it. What did you do with your situation? How did you find a way out of what is restraining you? Most of us hold onto the pain, to our anxieties, to the pasts and we forget that we are wasting away this very moment. We forget to breathe. We need to remember that we can control any situation with the way we react to it. Our minds control, attract and can fix many things. We forget that once we get our mindset right, WORK is involved with achieving our desires. When things do not go right, STOP LETTING IT CONSUME YOU. A letdown is not a failure- unless we make it one.

Being uncomfortable is growth. Whatever we deny we magnify, so start accepting every situation and using your mind to look at it in a different, more positive way. Embracing the pain that comes with the stair case to our dreams will bring us everything we want faster.

Getting your mind right is the first step; the mind is so powerful that it can even heal but positivity must be fully present. Believe you are capable of achieving what you want then WORK for it. You may have to start off scooping ice cream, but eventually you work your way up! You must have single minded, unbelievable focus until you get the job done. Keep your eyes on the prize until you get there.

Set a goal for yourself. You can leave a comment below with your goal. THINK and WORK your way to it.

“But you have the choice to choose your interpretation of what happens. And to choose again until the choice you choose serves your true happiness.” – Mastin Kipp

Walk with Metta World Peace in New York and Los Angeles!

Angela Koussian — Thu, 06 Sep 2012 17:07:00 -0700

Walking is not only an affordable form of exercise but it also lowers stress, decreases your waistline and it is a great way to bring family and friends together! As an introduction to staying healthy, Metta will be hosting two community walks to bring awareness to the issue of childhood obesity and to create a positive support system for loved ones. Those that wish to take a walk with Metta must sign a pledge that incorporates three goals.

The first walk will take place in New York on September 15th and the second will be in Los Angeles on September 22nd.

To sign the pledge, join the mwpworkout movement, and to subscribe for more information on future community walks in different cities, go to mwpworkout.com