Metta World Peace stays positive, for the Lakers and friend Lamar Odom

Metta World Peace is in a good spot, whether he makes the Lakers or not. The near-death experience of a lifelong friend will do that to you, a reminder that a career isn’t in the same hemisphere as a life.

World Peace will find out within a few days if he makes the roster instead of Jabari Brown, a guard with scoring promise and 13 fewer years on his odometer.

World Peace said he couldn’t control the selection process, assuming a Zen approach perhaps brought on by the sadness he felt last week when Lamar Odom was found unresponsive at a Nevada brothel.

“It was the worst thing ever,” World Peace said. “I prayed to Buddha. ... Some people prayed to their different gods. My boy made it through and everything’s all good. I know he has a couple months of therapy but it was a scary time.”

World Peace turns 36 in a few weeks. If he makes the team, he will be a veteran voice — insightful, appreciative of a second chance in the NBA and, indeed, unpredictable.

Whether he is here or not for next week’s opener, he is “absolutely” on board with the way the franchise is heading, he said.

“I could see the growth,” he added. “The Lakers are the underdog right now. It’ll be a great story in a couple years — well, this year — when the Lakers go to the playoffs.”

He continually dodged questions about his better than 50-50 chances of surviving the final cut, reasonable inquiries because he didn’t play in the NBA last season and was a non-factor two years ago in 29 games with New York.

“I like working hard. That’s what I like to do,” he said, before turning his attention toward a trio of reporters among the many surrounding him Wednesday. “You like to wear nice dresses. I don’t know what designer that is, but it’s nice. [Pause.] That’s a nice shirt, Armani Exchange. [Pause.] Yours, not so nice.”

A veteran of 15 previous NBA seasons, World Peace also talked about Michael Jordan. It came as a tangent, sometimes the case with World Peace, who initially started talking about his lack of concern for Bryant’s bruised lower leg.

“He’s not out,” World Peace said, seconding Scott’s beliefs that Bryant will be ready for the opener. “Jordan retired. Jordan’s out. Indefinitely.”

And if Jordan still played at age 52, how many points would he average?

“It depends how big his belly is,” World Peace said. “If he has a flat belly, I say 20. If he has a big belly, I don’t know, six to nine.”

A minute later, World Peace walked into the Lakers’ locker room. No matter what he says, he hopes Thursday’s game isn’t his last.

mike.bresnahan@latimes.com

Twitter: @Mike_Bresnahan