Metta World Peace will come off the bench. And the player formerly known as Ron Artest loves the idea.

"It's going to be good," said World Peace, who last season averaged a career-low 8.5 points per game in 29.4 minutes per contest. "I get a chance to come in with extra responsibility, which I've had my whole career. It's going to put the other team off balance.

"When Kobe [Bryant], Pau [Gasol] and [Andrew] Bynum are out, you still have to double-team me. You can't leave me open. At all times on the floor, there will be a threat."