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When you change your name to something as associative as "Metta World Peace" and then you go and elbow a rival on the basketball floor, well, people might have some suggestions for what you should have changed your name to instead.
I think metta world peace should change his name to holy flying elbow
— andyroddick (@andyroddick) April 23, 2012
He should change his name again: Metta World Peace Death Blow Elbow
— Denis Leary (@denisleary) April 23, 2012
They're talking about the Los Angeles Lakers forward formerly known as Ron Artest, who knocked down Oklahoma City forward James Harden during yesterday's game.
The elbow heard 'round the world happened when World Peace "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," describes the L.A. Times. After a fist pound on his chest, he extended his arm and swung his elbow at Harden, who went down.
Before a tussle could take shape, World Peace's attempt to explain the move as an oopsies got him "a flagrant foul type 2, an immediate ejection and a likely suspension."
Here's what World Peace had to say after the game about the incident:
"During that play, I just dunked on Durant and Ibaka. I got real emotional, real excited. 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."
Okay, so then he took to Twitter, to yap beyond the few seconds post-game.
and
and
So is this a case of the NBA player doth protest too much?
But the question that really remains is whether World Peace is due for a suspension, and if so, for how long?
CBS Sports blogger Ken Berger, who called the elbow Harden took "about as cheap as a cheap shot gets," says "World Peace, it would seem, warrants a suspension [of] at least three games, and perhaps more."
Others say the flagrant foul was enough. The NBA is reviewing the incident and will make a decision.
