Los Angeles Lakers forward Metta World Peace wanted to change his jersey number, he told reporters on Tuesday. After wearing Nos. 15, 23, 91, 93, 96, 37 and 51, World Peace wanted No. 60. Why 60? Because that's the amount of points Kobe Bryant scored in his last NBA game.

From the Orange County Register's Bill Oram:

"I so wanted that No. 60," he said. "That's all I was talking about, if I got back to the Lakers, was changing my number to 60."

...

"I was so honored to be there," said World Peace, who played with Bryant from 2009-13, and again last season.

"I wanted to surprise him," World Peace said of the tribute. "I was so honored to be there. But, whatever."

The Lakers confirmed that World Peace requested the change when he signed his contract on Sept. 22. One problem: The league's deadline for players to change their numbers had long passed.

"It's Metta," Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak said, shrugging when asked about the request.

Metta World Peace has fun at media day
Metta World Peace always has something to say. USATSI

World Peace will continue to wear No. 37, which he picked because Michael Jackson's "Thriller" spent 37 weeks on the charts. Assuming he makes the team, his number will match his age when he turns 37 on Nov. 13. World Peace had thoughts on that, too, via the Orange County Register:

"That's pretty old," World Peace said. "That seems young, but I don't know. Actually it's not. That (expletive) is old."

Playing for the Lakers - with an average player age of 26.7, according to RealGM.com - keeps World Peace feeling young, he said.

"I make my kids some breakfast, doing the old dad stuff, and once I get to practice I immediately become like almost immature," he said. "These guys are crazy."

He added: "Let me tell you, last year I became more immature."

As World Peace talks about being old, let's remember that, just a week ago, he was asked if he missed his younger days. His response: "When I'm on the court, I still, you know, I'll be running next to a lion and the lion is like, 'Respect. Respect, Metta.'"

One final thought: If there's anyone who should be allowed to change his jersey number after the official deadline, that person is World Peace. Changing his number all the time is part of his legacy.