Metta World Peace is so convinced Phil Jackson's stint as leader of the New York Knicks' franchise will be a smashing success, he wishes he would have stayed a member of the organization.
World Peace asked for and was granted his release from the team around last month's trade deadline, but he now readily admits if he had known Jackson was on the way he would have definitely stuck things out.
The Queensbridge native played four seasons under Jackson in L.A., and predicts the 68-year-old Zen Master will quickly change the culture around The Garden.
"He changed a lot of views on myself,'' World Peace told the New York Post. "One of the hardest things to become is a player who sacrifices. He showed me the benefits of sacrificing. Right before I came to the Lakers, I was averaging 16, 17 shots per game. After that, it was all about sacrifice and my numbers went down. I was the same player, but he showed me the benefits of sacrificing to win a title.''
In all, Jackson owns 11 coaching titles, including one he won with World Peace when both were 2009-10 members of the Lakers. Jackson has also earned two titles as a player.
"I know he really enjoys winning,'' World Peace told The Post. "He enjoys it more than anyone. Some coaches are obsessed about winning, but I truly believe he just enjoys it at a different level than most people. It's easy to win playing for a guy who actually enjoys winning. He feels it's something that's destined to happen."
Because of Jackson, World Peace told the newspaper he started studying Buddhism.
"I totally believe in a calm demeanor, calm spirit and at the same time he wants you to have a warrior mentality,'' he said. "You can't walk through a playoff battle or war and be vulnerable. You have to have some type of force. Phil was able to bring force in you and keep you even-keeled. It's weird. I've always been told I had a problem with emotion. But he was able to play with emotion and be relaxed. He taught me that."
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