Now that he has encouraged anyone who will listen the importance of parents reading to their children, Metta World Peace has narrowed in one particular book that he wants to read cover to cover.

Phil Jackson’s new book titled “Eleven Rings” is a 339-page memoir that touches basically on everything – his 11 NBA championships, comparisons to Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant and his Zen-like teachings. It also touches on his inner workings with his players, including World Peace.

Jackson reflected on his time coaching the former Ron Artest from 2009-2011 by praising his defense, hustle and likable personality, while expressing concern about how he’d learn the triangle offense, his shaky shot selection and sensitivity to criticism.

“I like his thought process,” World Peace said Tuesday in an interview with this newspaper. “If Phil criticizes me and I didn’t like it, but it was intelligent, I respect it and support it. With Phil Jackson, I think his book is cool. He was direct. He gave people a real book. Some people will argue he talks too much. ”

Does Wold Peace believe that too?

“I would argue that,” he said. “But I love the book because he’s so honest. It’s a fun book. Everybody loves Phil.”
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Like everyone else, Metta World Peace conceded the obvious reality surrounding Dwight Howard’s pending free agency.

“I honestly don’t even know what’s going on,” World Peace said Tuesday in a phone interview with this newspaper. “I’m not going to lie. Everytime people ask me a Dwight question, I lie and try to act like I know what’s going on.”

World Peace said he wasn’t just pretending to act oblivious about the Lakers’ most pressing issue this offseason, a tactic the Lakers forward often uses as a defense mechanism and to make reporters laugh.

“I really don’t. I’m in my own little world,” World Peace said. “I say, ‘I think that Dwight is going to come back.’ But I don’t know to tell you the truth. I’m in my own little world.”
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Metta World Peace sounded chatty and in a relaxed mood, the product of his surgically repaired left knee healing, promoting a children’s book and feeling refreshed from an otherwise disappointing season.

Even with uncertainty lingering in the air about his Lakers future, World Peace has avoided worrying about it by doing one thing. He has and will continue to defer to his agent, Marc Cornstein, on whether or not he should exercise or opt out of his $7.7 million player option.

“I don’t want to think off emotions. I hired my agent for a reason so I’ll let him and the Lakers do their job to try to keep me a Laker for long term,” World Peace said Tuesday in a phone interview with this newspaper. “Rather than stress myself out and worry about what’s going on for the Lakers, I’ll let them do their job. Then they can get back to me.”
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More questions than answers will permeate the Lakers this offseason.

Where will Dwight Howard play? Will he re-sign with the Lakers and become their next franchise player, or jet off somewhere in Texas? How will Kobe Bryant look upon his return? Will he make the necessary adjustments from a torn left Achilles’ tendon, or will Father Time get the best of him?

What does Pau Gasol’s future entail? Will the Lakers trade him, waive him via the amnesty provision or keep him? How will Metta World Peace handle his contract situation? Would opting out prompt the Lakers to let him walk or cause them to give him a long-term deal? Or would World Peace exercising $7.7 million player option just cause the Lakers to waive him through the amnesty clause?

None of these questions will be answered today, let alone in the next few weeks. But in a recent appearance with BBALL BREAKDOWN’s Coach Nick, I provide a framework in some of these issues. Enjoy the video above.

Follow L.A. Daily News Lakers beat writer Mark Medina on Twitter. E-mail him at mark.medina@dailynews.com

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Pau Gasol of the Los Angeles Lakers plays basketball with youngsters at the Los Angeles Boys & Girls Club June 3, 2013. Gasol hosted a pep rally at the facility to encourage kids to spend their summer engaging in healthy activities.(Andy Holzman/Staff Photographer)

The moment he stepped onto the court, it appeared Pau Gasol immediately felt right at home.

Randy Newman’s “I love L.A.” blared over the loudspeakers. Fans shouted his name. And three weeks after having a procedure on both of his knees, Gasol moved fluidly.

Gasol wasn’t wearing a Lakers uniform, though he adamantly hopes he continues to do so next season. Instead, Gasol was hosting at the Boys and Girls Club in downtown Los Angeles to mark the beginning of his self-named foundation.

As part of his initiative to promote a healthy lifestyle, Gasol and his brother, Marc, of the Memphis Grizzlies will coach two different teams in what’s called “The Healthy Competition 2013″ running from June 10 through Aug. 2. Using gifted Nike Fuelbands (retailed at $149) to track the teams’ progress, either Pau or Marc will have to shave their beard if their respective team loses.

“It’s something me and Marc wanted to do for a while,” Pau said. “We were looking for a way to use our abilities off the court to do good for the community and we feel this was the best way for us to give back. It’s a good way for us to help kids around the world.”
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In one corner, Dwight Howard stands as what the Lakers hope to become their next franchise player. Yet, Howard has maintained he’s going to keep his options open once he becomes an unrestricted free agent on July 1, marking the beginning of a series of courtships.

In another corner, Pau Gasol enters this offseason with plenty of uncertainty. He’s reiterated his hope to stay with the Lakers. Yet, Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak hasn’t provided any assurances whether they will keep him or try to trade him.

Gasol has said politely within the past two years he’d love to stay with the Lakers, no matter the frustrations he’s met with a reduced role under both Mike Brown and Mike D’Antoni. But the Lakers forward said he won’t outwardly plead to Dwight Howard to stay.

“I haven’t talked to him,” Gasol said Monday at the Boys & Girls Club in downtown Los Angeles to promote his newly launched self-named foundation. “I think he has to make the decision. It’s a big decision. We’ll see what he ends up deciding. I understand he’s going to take his time and I’m sure he’s going to continue to do that.”
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Elgin Baylor insists his intention to auction off hundreds of memorabilia spanning his 14-year career as a Laker had nothing to do with any financial troubles.

Instead, he insisted it had everything to do with wanting to donate a portion of the proceeds to various charities that he wants to keep private. Whatever the case, Baylor’s memorabilia appeared to be in high demand when he auctioned them off Friday at Julien’s Auctions in Beverly Hills.

Baylor’s 1971-71 NBA championship ring boasted a $40,000 starting price. It ended at $132,000. Baylor listed his 1959 NBA All-Star Game MVP Trophy to be worth at least $1,000. It sold for $43,750. The famed Lakers listed his NBA 50 Greatest Players Signed Lithograph at $300 and 50 Greatest Players ring to be worth at least $30,000. They were bought for $53,125 each.

No one compiled more of Baylor’s memorabilia than David Kohler, the president of SCP Auctions. He successfully bid on 40 pieces of Baylor’s collection, including Baylor’s championship ring, his Lakers’ warm-up suit ($21,250) and jacket ($20,000) as well as his NBA All-Star game trophies spanning 1959  ($9,375) and 1969 ($10,000).

“As the gatekeeper of the most extensive collection of Lakers memorabilia – ‘The Laker Shrine’ – it is an honor and a thrill to be able to add some of Elgin Baylor’s Lakers memorabilia to the collection,” Kohler said in a statement. “Elgin has always been one of my all-time favorite players of the many Laker greats. These items represent a treasure trove from the career of one of the most outstanding players in Los Angeles Lakers and NBA history.”

Other highlights of the auction included his Basketball Hall of Fame Certificate of Election ($12,800), game worn Bronzed shoes ($8,750), the Elgin Baylor Night Los Angeles Lakers Presented Chair sold ($11,875) and his NBA Career Highlights Plaque ($10,625).

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As he walked around giving kids high five and stressing the importance of fire safety, Pau Gasol provided visual evidence that he’s making steps forward in his recovery from knee tendonosis.

A day after walking without crutches three weeks following a procedure in both knees, Gasol appeared to move fluidly. Yet, he plans to limit his movement at least for the next three weeks. Once he gains the necessary range of motion, Gasol expects to start swimming afterwards.

“It’s getting better,” Gasol said after visiting 61st Street Elementary School with the nonprofit MySafe L.A. “One day at a time. It’s a long recovery. I’m still in the early stages of it.”
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For the first time in seven weeks, Kobe Bryant can finally walk.

The Lakers star tweeted out a picture on Instagram showing him walking on a weight-wearing treadmill, the latest sign of progress surrounding Bryant’s recovery from a torn left Achilles tendon.

Walking in my “medical mamba” shoes made by Nike in 2 weeks with extra support for the Achilles… instagram.com/p/Z9RKR3xNo9/

— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) May 31, 2013

The anti-gravity treadmill allows Bryant to walk and eventually run while supporting a certain percentage of his body weight. Bryant, who suffered the injury April 12 against Golden State, is expected to be out for at least another four to six months.

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Federal judge rejects Kobe Bryant’s request to dismiss lawsuit against him in memorabilia case

Pau Gasol to launch foundation with his brother

Follow L.A. Daily News Lakers beat writer Mark Medina on Twitter. E-mail him at mark.medina@dailynews.com