Lakers bring World Peace to Sheriff Center

World peace the concept is elusive. World Peace the man can be found at Hawaii’s Stan Sheriff Center.

Metta World Peace — formerly Ron Artest — is one of the Los Angeles Lakers’ latest additions and is in town for training camp in advance of two exhibition games vs. the Utah Jazz on Sunday and Tuesday.

Along with superstar Kobe Bryant, the 35-year-old World Peace is one of a handful of veterans on the roster to counterbalance a crop of youngsters that the Lakers hope will sustain them for years to come.

Coach Byron Scott has tried to instill a physical, competitive atmosphere in the first couple days of camp — especially during 5-on-5 action at the end of Wednesday’s first session. The Lakers also held a closed practice Wednesday night as they’ve entered the two-a-day stretch of camp.

"They’re pushing it. Guys is pushing it," World Peace said. "Coach is really good at getting you mentally ready. Being able to focus on the fatigue, that’s a great lesson for young guys. Being able to move slow when you can’t get oxygen to your brain. Coach is good at pushing the envelope a little bit, testing you mentally and testing you physically."

You usually aren’t left wanting for physicality when the 6-foot-7, 260- pound World Peace checks in. He’s made a 15-year career out of a bruising style of play while supplying an occasional bucket.

Bryant, who is steadily upping his workload coming off offseason shoulder rehabilitation, participated in the scrimmage but wasn’t going to play in the night session.

"The competition that I saw today, the guys (are) going against each other," Scott said. "I’m seeing some chatter, which is good. … I like when guys are going at each other. I like that competition. And right now, with the group of guys that we have, we get it at every position. Which is good."

Soon afterward, World Peace held court with several reporters on the edge of the Sheriff lower bowl. When Bryant became available a few feet away, most of the media scrambled over to the Lakers’ leader. But a few stayed to soak in the Tao of Peace.

"I miss you guys. It’s fun," he said with a smile.

He last played in the NBA in 2013-14 with the New York Knicks, appearing in 29 games and averaging 4.8 points. Last season World Peace fittingly went international. He split the year between China and Italy, and was well off the radar of casual NBA fans.

The man most infamously known for the 2004 "Malice at the Palace" brawl in the stands in Detroit might well have been done as an NBA player after last year. However, he had some goodwill left with the franchise he helped win a title in 2010. The Lakers signed him as a free agent on Sept. 24.

The eccentric World Peace, despite just being added to the team, offered up some words in the team huddle to cap practice on Tuesday. On Wednesday, he waved off a question about teammate Julius Randle’s performance in camp so far.

It turned into a speech about silencing doubt about the Lakers, who are coming off a dismal 21-61 season.

"For me, I’d always rather keep the focus on team, because that’s the only way you can win," World Peace said. "So, I’d rather leave anything individual probably up to you guys. You ask me anything, I’m always going to just focus on the team, and everybody’s going to be a part of what we’re going to do special. When we win, we all win.

"That’s the only way we’re going to get through it … together. It might seem kind of simple, but the only way you’re going to get through (to) where we have to go and shut up all the haters, it’s going to be together."

Lakers-Jazz sold out

The two contests between the Lakers and the Jazz at the 10,300-seat Sheriff Center were sold out by Wednesday night on etickethawaii.com.

UH athletic director David Matlin said this week that UH stands to gain roughly $100,000 for the two exhibitions if they sold out.