This headline picture is a legit basketball sneaker. We’re not kidding you – this is a basketball shoe – and Metta World Peace will be wearing it in China next season. 

METTA WORLD PEACE’S NEW SHOE FOR CBA SEASON 

Former NBA champion Metta World Peace has debuted his new ‘panda friendly’ sneakers in preparation for the new CBA season, where he’ll play for Sichuan Blue Whales. 

He introduced the sneaker in two colourways, white and black. It has a panda head on top, which is removable, so no player kicks it or falls over because of it. 

“…before every game, I will be wearing the white or black shoes,” World Peace said. “The top part of the shoe has a panda on it … it is removable. I will be throwing it to a friend in the crowd. The person who catches it will be the Panda’s Friend of the day.”

The things players do when in China… 

ELA’S FAVOURITE SON RETIRES. BUT …..

Our friends at Euroleague Adventures have lost their basketball hero. 

Darko Milicic has retired from basketball … to become a kickboxer. Yep, you heard that right, too. 

The second pick in the 2003 NBA Draft has signed a professional kickboxing contract with WAKO PRO but will have to wait until a match is available for him. 

The DarkoMeter can not die on us now.

PACQUIAO TO BE A PLAYER-COACH? 

Manny Pacquiao [yep, the boxer] has been announced as the player-coach of the Kia Sorentos. An expansion team in the Philippines league [PBA]. 

Pacman, know as one of the best pound-for-pound boxers ever does participate in pick up games to keep himself in shape. However, he has zero basketball background. 

Publicity stunt, everybody?