This won't end well.

Someone has decided that giving Metta World Peace, the Los Angeles Lakers' defensive specialist, rapper and fan-puncher, his own hidden-camera show is a good idea. Metta World Pranks (OK, the name does a lot to justify the premise) will feature professional athletes getting Punk'd. At least Ashton Kutcher isn't involved.

"Pranking and practical jokes are part of the athletic culture, so it comes naturally to Metta," said Eric Schotz, president and CEO of LMNO Productions, via Deadline.com. "Metta has a great sense of humor and this show will be a natural vehicle for him to showcase a side of his personality we don't get to see on the court."

But do we really want to see that side of his personality? On first blush, absolutely. World Peace, formerly Ron Artest, is one of the most transparent athletes in the world. He's talked about his mental health and rough background and many mistakes on the court. He's unfailingly humble. The guy has as much charm as he has swagger, which is how he carried (OK, played a bit part in) a Lifetime movie.

But he may need our help, people. So let's see if we can come up with a few potential pranks for World Peace to pull on fellow NBA players and prominent sports figures:

• Tell Kobe Bryant his first four seasons don't count. NBA Commissioner David Stern can sit down with the Lakers star and explain that he should have gone to Duke after all, and the league won't allow his first four seasons' statistics to count toward his career totals. That means 4,240 fewer points and one fewer title, all but eliminating him from passing Michael Jordan.

• Seduce Brent Musburger. Miss Alabama Katherine Webb, whom the ABC announcer drooled over during the Bowl Championship Series title game, is making her way into television. Maybe she would do it. If not, there's always Jenn Sterger.

• Cover most of a basketball with super glue, then quickly get it to Lakers point guard Steve Nash. The prolific passer won't be able to get rid of the ball, quickly causing a panic.

• Tell Aaron Rodgers that Brett Favre is back. More specifically, tell the Green Bay Packers quarterback that he's lost his job to Favre, again. Bonus points if World Peace can get Favre to walk in and do Rodgers' signature "Discount Double-Check" move.

• Raise the rim on Lob City. This one is easy because the Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers share a home court. World Peace can go to Staples Center before a Clippers game and jack the hoops up to 12 feet, making all those Chris Paul alley-oops impossible to slam down for Blake Griffin, DeAndre Jordan and company. They won't know what hit them.

• Glue a mustache onto Don Mattingly's face in his sleep. "The Hit Man" always looked better with one as a player, so why not put it back on as Los Angeles Dodgers manager?

• Tell Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds there's been a recount. They were snubbed from the Baseball Hall of Fame, but what fun is that? Give them the call, tell them they're in and then watch them immediately book interviews with Oprah Winfrey to spill the beans.

• Involve Kevin Garnett. Somehow. Any way possible. Someone might die, but it will be worth it.

Another good prank might be to have the star-studded Lakers six games under .500 in late January. Oh.

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

8 pranks for Metta World Peace’s new

hidden-camera show

By Adi Joseph