MIGHTY Metta World Peace suspended for 7 games

[Reg]

ESPN.com news services

Los Angeles Lakers forward Metta World Peace has been suspended seven games by the NBA for his elbow to the head of Oklahoma City Thunder guard James Harden.

The elbow, delivered late in the first half of the Lakers' double-overtime win Sunday, knocked Harden to the ground and resulted in a flagrant 2 on World Peace.

Harden has since been diagnosed with a concussion and he has not yet been cleared to play.

"The concussion suffered by James Harden demonstrates the danger posed by violent acts of this kind, particularly when they are directed at the head area," NBA commissioner David Stern said in a statement. "We remain committed to taking necessary measures to protect the safety of NBA players, including the imposition of appropriate penalties for players with a history of on-court altercations."

Formerly known as Ron Artest, World Peace got an 86-game ban in 2004 while a member of the Indiana Pacers for jumping into the stands at the Palace of Auburn Hills, outside Detroit, to fight fans.

The suspension handed down Tuesday rules World Peace out for the Lakers' season finale Thursday night against the Sacramento Kings and carries into the playoffs.

It's a difficult time for the Lakers to lose World Peace. Reserve small forward Matt Barnes suffered a sprained right ankle in Sunday's win, and will not accompany the team for the regular-season finale. Second year forward Devin Ebanks, who played through the fourth quarter and both overtimes against the Thunder on Sunday, dropped a weight on his left hand during a workout Tuesday, suffering bruises to his ring and middle fingers.

On the season, World Peace is averaging 7.7 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.2 assists on 39.4 percent shooting, but has been much improved of late, posting 14.1 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.8 assists on 47.3 percent from the floor in 13 games this month.

[G-men]

Sounds about right to me

[Reg]

Originally Posted by G-men

Sounds about right to me

I was hoping for less but recognizing that since Bynumite got 6 games for slobber-knocking Barea last year, by definition crazy-ass Metta would/should get more. Frankly, as much as the media has (understandably & approriately) reminded everyone just how devastating & disgusting that elbow shot was, I'm pleasantly surprised that the suspension isn't much greater.

[SoonerChuck]

If Harden has to miss some playoff games because of the concussion, dumb ass Metta helped out whomever plays the Thunder in the 1st rd.

[mrtxstar]

When the Spurs get their NBA Championship rings, they should reserve one for Metta World Peace. My Spurs are the only team that has anything to gain from all this nonsense.

As for the length of the suspension... not near long enough.

[Reg]

Originally Posted by SoonerChuck

If Harden has to miss some playoff games because of the concussion, dumb ass Metta helped out whomever plays the Thunder in the 1st rd.

That's Metta "Einstein" Peace's secret plan...mess up the Silent Farts while Da MIGHTIES win a 6-game 1st rd without him, as the Spuds choke as usual, leaving the West to Da MIGHTIES

[mrtxstar]

Originally Posted by Reg

That's Metta "Einstein" Peace's secret plan...mess up the Silent Farts while Da MIGHTIES win a 6-game 1st rd without him, as the Spuds choke as usual, leaving the West to Da MIGHTIES

[Rufus Roundball]

With the Los Angeles Lakers given three days off between Sunday afternoon's win over the Oklahoma City Thunder and the team's season finale in Sacramento on Thursday night, the NBA could afford to take its time in determining just how long to suspend Metta World Peace for, following his frightening elbow to the head of OKC guard James Harden. Though MWP had apologized, via Twitter, and spoke with the NBA on Monday night, otherwise he was laying low; even canceling a scheduled appearance on TBS' "Conan" on Tuesday night.

[ Related: Metta World Peace suspended seven games | Tweets apology ]

And now, with their studies complete, the league has laid down the hammer. World Peace will be suspended for seven games, including Thursday night's game against the Kings, and however many games the Lakers play in a postseason that starts this weekend. In the unlikely event that Los Angeles is dropped from the playoffs in five games or less (the team is scheduled to play the Denver Nuggets in the first round), World Peace's suspension will carry over until the 2012-13 season.

In all, considering World Peace's history (he was suspended for nearly the entire 2004-05 season after his pivotal role in the ugly 'Malice at the Palace,' and has been the instigator in several nasty flagrant fouls throughout his 13-year career), the seven game seat (without pay) seems like a welcome number for Lakers fans. All but the team's most ardent (read: "oblivious") fans conceded that MWP was due a suspension after the hit, even if his was just a case of "temporary insanity" (as Yahoo! Sports anchor Larry Beil discussed on Monday) and an unfortunate accident caused by a needless bit of posturing from Metta.



Whatever the intent, World Peace was wrong to fling those badass biceps around, and Harden is lucky to escape relatively unharmed (though he will likely sit the team's remaining two games) with "just" a concussion. It could have been worse, a lot worse, and even though we don't think World Peace meant to shed Harden like he did, he had to be punished for the reckless behavior. And, frankly, Harden's injuries shouldn't have had any impact on the suspension.

Various betting outlets put the over/under on World Peace's suspension at 7.5, so if you took the under you're still a weirdo for betting on such a strange thing. Other notable, non-'Malice at the Palace' related suspensions of recent vintage include Dennis Rodman's 11-game sitdown for kicking a cameraman in 1997, a five-game suspension for D-Rod following his headbutt of referee Ted Bernhardt in 1996, and Andrew Bynum's five game penalty for barreling into Dallas guard Jose Juan Barea in last May's playoffs.

[ The PostGame: Nets' tragic legacy in New Jersey is over ]

The terms of the suspension will force Metta World Peace not only to miss the next seven games and the loss of pay, but he won't be allowed in the arena when his Lakers take on the Kings, Nuggets, and possibly the second round opponent. Because the team does boast significant depth at the wing (even if Kobe Bryant, Matt Barnes, and Devin Ebanks are all working through injuries), the group should be able to sustain its winning ways in Metta's absence.

Other popular content on Yahoo! Sports:
• NFL prospect Janoris Jenkins' personal life still causes concerns with teams
• Intense Genoa soccer fans essentially hold match against Siena hostage
• Tennis player Lisa Raymond is oldest No. 1 in history



Ball Don't Lie