Metta World Peace Invites Kobe Bryant to Play With Him in Italy

Basketball fans may not yet see Kobe Bryant hang up his basketball shoes soon.

Lakers Nation reported that Bryant's former Lakers teammate Metta World Peace invited the former to play with him in Italy.

It has been two years since Metta last played with the Los Angeles Lakers. He continues to watch a game at the Staples Center every now and then and even spends time talking to players and team executives. He recently signed with Italian club Pallacanestro Cantu and shared to a local Italian newspaper that he messaged the Lakers veteran superstar to come to Italy with him.

Metta said in a report by Sportando, "I sent him a message. I'd like to see him playing with me in Italy."

Metta allegedly wanted to return to the NBA but did not land a spot, so he opted for Italy instead. The forward shared that he plans to play professional basketball until he is 40 years old. He previously played with the Sichuan Blue Whales in China before suffering a knee injury in December 2014. The 35-year-old is reportedly better and ready for the 2015-2016 season of the Lega Basket Serie A.

Even though Kobe is no longer the star he used to be, succumbing to injury in the past three NBA seasons, Metta is one of the people who still believes that the 36-year-old has some fight left in him. Fansided reported that Metta believes Kobe can win it all when he returns from injury in the final year of his contract with the Lakers. Metta obviously has a lot of respect and admiration for Bryant, considering how he won a championship title with Black Mamba. If his prediction does not hold true, perhaps they can win one in Italy.

Kobe Bryant also has a special place for Italy in his heart, since he grew up in the country and actually speaks the language. If Metta is convincing enough, Bryant may at least spend some time in Europe playing with the locals. Bryant travels to Italy every now and then for vacation and touring purposes. He had his joints checked at a local orthopedic clinic before he returned to action in 2014.

Even without Bryant, Metta has increased his popularity since coming to China, even asking fans and media to refer to him as "The Panda's Friend". He is set to make an impact in and out of the court in Italy.