I find it incredibly ironic that a guy who intentionally changed his last name to “World Peace” is in trouble with the NBA (not for the first time, either,) for a very rough elbow to OKC forward James Harden’s head. He claims that the blow was unintentional, but I wouldn’t be surprised if we see a suspension result from that little maneuver. C’mon, Metta–you just slam dunked. You should be throwing high fives, not elbows. Not very sportsman like. Mark Medina of the LA Times reported on the game,
“In sheer emotion and rage, Lakers forward Metta World Peace swung his arms violently.
He had just thrown down his third dunk of the game late in the first half, and the 18,997 fans at Staples Center erupted with joy. No one looked more elated than World Peace, who pounded his right fist on his chest. He then cocked his arm back and swung an elbow at Oklahoma City forward James Harden.
Harden fell to the ground clutching his ear. Thunder forward Kevin Durant and Serge Ibaka went toward World Peace, who squared up and appeared ready to defend himself. After both teams separated each other, World Peace pleaded his case toreferee Gary Zielisnki, using body language to suggest it was an accident.
It did’t work. The incident earned World Peace a flagrant foul type 2, an immediate ejection and a likely suspension.
“During that play, I just dunked on Durant and Ibaka. I got real emotional, real excited,” World Peace said after the Lakers’ 114-106 double overtime victory Sunday over the Oklahoma City Thunder. “It’s unfortunate that James had to get hit with an unintentional elbow. I hope he’s OK. The Thunder. they’re playing for a championship this year. I really hope he’s OK and I apologize to the Thunder and to James Harden. It was such a great game. It was unfortunate so much emotion was going on at that time. That’s it for today.”
To read what Metta Tweeted on the subject and see pictures, click here.
I do hope that Harden is okay, and I hope this is the last we’ll see of the inappropriate on and off-court antics by Metta. Otherwise, I’m gonna call that dude up and have a little chat about good sportsmanship. Oh, and politely request that he change his last name if he’s not planning on setting a good example!
