NBA quotes from Metta World Peace, Mike D’Antoni and more

Still scraping by

New York Knicks forward Metta World Peace, giving dental tips on Twitter: “when the dr. says u have tartar, its [sic] not a good thing. its not like ‘tuna tartare.’ its crunched up white stuff.”

Speed demon

Phoenix Suns backup guard Ish Smith, after he scored 15 points on seven-for-nine shooting to go with seven rebounds, four assists, two steals and two blocked shots in a rout of the San Antonio Spurs: “I’m like Ricky Bobby. I just want to go fast.”

A close source

Sacramento Kings General Manager Pete D’Alessandro, on reports that his team was soliciting trades for rookie Ben McLemore: “I think a lot of people act in ways in this league that I choose not to do. So, I’m standing here today and I’m saying Ben McLemore is a guy that we have not put in deals. He’s a guy that we love here. So, sources? I think I’m a source. We haven’t put Ben in anything. We look at Ben as a major part of what we’re doing long term.”

Function over form

Lakers Coach Mike D’Antoni, on point guard Kendall Marshall’s unorthodox form on his three-pointers: “Every time he shoots you go, ‘Oh my gosh,’ but it goes in.”

ben.bolch@latimes.com