Metta World Peace not retiring, thinks Eastern Conference teams need 'some seasoning and salt'

Metta World Peace returned to Los Angeles for Thursday night's ESPY Awards, and his antics resonated as they usually do.

Mark Medina of the L.A Daily News managed to get a few answers from the man formerly known as Ron Artest on everything from the Lakers' dismal 2013-14 season to LeBron James leaving Miami for Cleveland.

Of note, he explained that he's healed from the right knee injury that kept him limited last season. World Peace declined to talk about interest from NBA teams, but did share that teams from China, Russia and Turkey are interested.

And now, for the gold.

His explanation for the Lakers 27-55 franchise-worst season:

They took a break. Sometimes you have to go to sleep and take a break. They’re like a sleeping bear. They’ll wake up out of hibernation and then get back on top.
 

On potentially retiring:

I’m not retiring from basketball because I’m in great shape. I don’t know why I’d retire when I’m in great shape. There’s a couple of teams that we might be looking at. But they’re trying to find guys they believe can help them win a championship. They might be looking in the wrong direction. There’s no better direction than picking up me.

On LeBron going back to the Cavaliers:

LeBron walked into a gold mine. He went from one team to a better team. They’re definitely the better team. I don’t know if the rings will come. I’m just saying he walked into a gold mine.

And the rest of the Eastern Conference?

They're all pretty bad. They need some seasoning and salt.