Metta World Peace's Angry Elbow: Is the Laker Formerly Known as Ron Artest Headed for Suspension?

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.

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:

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.