LAS VEGAS – He’s coming home!
It’s official. Metta World Peace is a Knick and made the agreement Monday in Las Vegas, agreeing to terms on a two-year deal. It’s the first free-agent signing of the Knicks summer and a doozy considering their salary cap woes.
After meeting with Mike Woodson, GM Glen Grunwald and assistant GM Allan Houston at the team’s Las Vegas hotel, Metta World Peace arrived at UNLV’s Cox Pavilion to tell the world he’s back in New York where he belongs.
“I want to do something hard. That’s the challenge of being challenged. New York is the hardest place to win. It’s been since 72-73 (they won a title). Why not take on something that’s hard,’’ World Peace said.
World Peace said China and the Arena Football League were indeed options but he couldn’t pass up returning to the Big Apple.
World Peace said playing in China would’ve been “inspirational’’, then added “But you get to the orange and blue. The orange and blue blood. You got to come back home.’’
World Peace will sign a contract starting at the $1.65 million left on their mini-midlevel with a player option for a second year.
He finally even forgave the Knicks for not drafting him in 1999.
“They were 100 percent right,’’ World Peace said. “I’m glad I didnt’ go there then because I couldn’t have finished my career in New York and now I’m bringing that championship experience to the Garden.’’
World Peace is 33 but doesn’t believe he’s slipped all that much.
“Prime is just another word,’’ he said. “Heart is what it really is.’’.
World Peace is excited about playing at home, but also about the Knicks roster.
“It’s all about the players,’’ he said. “I’m excited to play for them, excited to hustle for (Ray) Felton, Iman (Shumpert), Melo (Carmelo Anthony), (Amar’e) Stoudemire. It’s not only about New York City.’’
World Peace likely will start at small forward, playing alongside Anthony, who will stick at power forward. He was amnestied by the Lakers over the weekend.
“I thought they had a lot of injuries this year,’’ World Peace said when asked if he’s the missing piece to a Knicks team that lost in the second round to the Pacers.
“I’m honored to play with these players.’’
Agent Marc Cornstein said the presentation this morning was overwhelming. “Coach Woodson, Allan, Glen did a great job making him feel wanted,’’ Cornstein said. “They felt he’d be great for this team. And he wanted to go home.’’