Breaking Down How Metta World Peace Can Shut Down Kevin Durant's Dynamic Talents

The Los Angeles Lakers signed Metta World Peace to be a defensive force against the opposition.

Following his seven-game suspension, World Peace returned to the lineup to stymie Danilo Gallinari (1-of-9, three points, four turnovers) and was at the epicenter of the Lakers' victory over the Denver Nuggets.

Despite hyperbolic cries that his defense has slipped and he's not the player he once was, World Peace is still incredibly effective against his opposition. Now, he gets his turn against Kevin Durant in the second round.

World Peace won't back down from the challenge of guarding Durant. He doesn't back down from challenging anyone on the defensive end. An absolute pest who plays with zero fear, World Peace will be on Durant like a backpack throughout the duration of the series.

There is a lot to like about what World Peace brings to the Lakers against Durant's Thunder. Beyond providing a very necessary ability to stretch the floor within the starting five, World Peace will challenge Durant on the perimeter on the opposite end of the court. Because Durant likes to create opportunities for himself from the outside, World Peace's strength will present an unorthodox task for Durant to overcome.

Durant averaged 5.2 three-point attempts per game during the regular season, shooting a respectable 38.7 percent. However, Durant took more three's in Oklahoma City's first-round sweep of the Dallas Mavericks, averaging 6.5 per game. Despite taking more attempts from distance, K.D. took a step back and shot just 34.6 percent.

According to Hoopdata, Durant took 7.7 shots per game during the regular season from between 10-23 feet. Combining that with the 5.2 three-point attempts he took per game, 12.9 of Durant's 19.1 shots are coming from away from the basket. That's where World Peace will pay enormous dividends.

World Peace won't be allowing uncontested shots. He'll get directly in Durant's face and make him earn every basket. Although Durant has a height advantage over World Peace, the Thunder superstar has a definitive disadvantage in the weight department. That is where World Peace should really exert himself as a problem for Durant.

It's going to take more than just World Peace slowing down Durant for the Lakers to win this series, but there is no question that Los Angeles is happy to have him back in the fold.

A Lakers team led by Mike Brown will have to utilize its defensive intensity to find success in the postseason, and that can all start with World Peace setting the tone against Durant in Game 1 of the second round.