Metta World Peace’s Lakers look different than last year’s squad – a lot different. The Lakers made significant upgrades during the offseason, adding Steve Nash, Dwight Howard and super sub Antwan Jamison. World Peace thinks the upcoming season could be record-breaking, as in 73-win record-breaking.
“We definitely want to beat the Bulls record and go 73-9, that’s definitely something that I want to do,” World Peace told Max Kellerman and Marcellus Wiley on ESPN 710 AM in Los Angeles. “You try to snatch records before you leave this earth. You gotta try to do a lot of great things so [73 wins is] definitely a goal.”
The 1995-96 Chicago Bulls set the single-season wins mark at 72. (previously the ’71-72 Lakers set the mark at 69 wins) The Bulls team of Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman started that season 41-3, also an NBA record. The Lakers will have to play the reigning Western Conference champ Oklahoma City Thunder four times, as well as other tough conference foes such as the San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks and Memphis Grizzlies.
World Peace’s interview, transcribed via Chris Fedor of SportsRadioInterviews.com, will certainly attract debate about its feasibility. The Lakers did part ways with young superstar center Andrew Bynum, but with Howard in the middle and Pau Gasol still solidifying the power forward spot, they will be more than fine.
CBS Sports senior blogger Matt Moore uncovered a possible reaction from Air Jordan: (taken from a 2005 appearance on Oprah’s show)
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