Metta World Peace Elbows James Harden: Lakers Star, Formerly Ron Artest, Ejected Vs. Thunder (VIDEO)

This was the sort of performance that could have had everyone talking about Metta World Peace. Until one momentary lapse of reason (and one wild elbow) left everyone thinking about Ron Artest.

Late in the second quarter, World Peace powered his way past Kevin Durant and Serge Ibaka to finish a fast break with a dunk. The score pulled the Lakers within a point of the visiting Thunder, 48-47, with less than two minutes remaining in the first half on Sunday. Trailing the play, Kobe Bryant pumped both fists as Peace slammed the ball home. The mercurial forward already had 12 points, 5 rebounds (3 offensive), 3 steals and an assist. As he began bounding back up the court after that dunk, Peace pounded his chest emphatically with his right fist. James Harden of the Thunder, meanwhile, was just getting back toward the basket and bumped into Peace. Although he didn't appear to be looking at Harden, Peace managed to land a swinging elbow to his head, dropping the Thunder star. Seemingly unaware -- or, even worse, unconcerned -- of the shot, Peace continued beating his chest as he moved toward his defensive end.

WATCH VIDEO ABOVE

Harden would remain on the court for some time as the officials looked at replays of the incident to determine proper punishment. Ultimately, Peace was ejected from the game after receiving a "flagrant foul 2." According to ESPN, World Peace issued a statement to reporters after the game about the incident during the second quarter.

"During that play I just dunked on (Kevin) Durant and (Serge) Ibaka and I got really emotional and excited and it was unfortunate that James had to get hit with an unintentional elbow," World Peace told reporters, per ESPN. "I hope he's OK. The Thunder, they're playing for a championship this year, so I hope that he's OK and I apologize to the Thunder and to James Harden."

Will NBA Commissioner David Stern and the rest of the league office believe Peace's explanation? Could Peace be facing a lengthy suspension that stretches into the playoffs? Should he be?

The NBA player formerly known as Ron Artest changed his name to Metta World Peace before this season. As Artest, he played a key role in one of the most infamous moments in American sports, fighting with fans and opponents during the "Malice at the Palace" in 2004. Should Peace's NBA priors be held against him here?

After the Artest ejection, the Lakers fell behind the Thunder by as many as 18 points in the second half but managed to stage a rally and win in double overtime.

Quick Poll

Should Mettta World Peace Be Suspended?

No. It Was An Accidental Elbow.

Sit Him For A Game Or Two.

With His Reputation, He Should Miss Playoffs

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Comments

[Cecelia Johnson]

03:22 PM on 04/30/2012

I sincerely believe Metta,"it was an unfortunate accident" he apologized and wished the hurt player the best. How come the reporters just look for the story and the contraversy?

[sheppard1]

02:15 PM on 04/25/2012

He's a punk.

[Pins Forfun]

10:05 AM on 04/26/2012

Using slurs in a public forum is conduct unbecoming. Could you call MWP a punk in his face?

[sheppard1]

11:54 AM on 04/26/2012

Why do you ask? You think he would take offense and hit me, thus proving the point? That you would even give the slightest impression of defending this PUNK, is conduct most unbecoming.

Get over your self.

[ACCESSORIESM]

09:34 PM on 04/24/2012

Crazy sport

www.accessoriesm.com

[Obscenery]

09:07 PM on 04/24/2012

I'm no expert but, he should be banned from the NBA for life. Who wants to play with or, especially, against a sociopath. Assault charges should be filed. Its a "game" for god's sake!

[legitane]

08:25 PM on 04/24/2012

I went to a hockey match and a basketball game broke out....
Sit him down until Training Camp next fall.....

[1hotgolfer]

08:03 PM on 04/24/2012

There is a saying that is perfect for "Metta World Peace/Ron Artest"..."Stick a fork in him, he's done!!" Curtail the rocky career of the man who could have easily curtailed the career of Harden.

[frankly]

07:30 PM on 04/24/2012

why even have rules if you don't enforce them? why not just let ron beat the tar out of any player anytime?

[wayne the pain]

04:59 PM on 04/24/2012

I am a laker fan and want the organization to get rid of Artest! I can not root for a team with this man playing for them. This poor man needs help, he is very angry and sick. What he did to the OKC player is a felony assault on the street. If he had done that to me and it was caught on camera he would be in jail not playing basketball. He has been suspended 13 times in his career. Enough is enough ban him forever and the problem is solved

[PirateJohn]

04:42 PM on 04/24/2012

Seriously, if any of the leagues are remotely serious about stopping violence in sports, then Artest (I refuse to call him "World Peace" with his record of violence) should be slapped with a lifetime ban, especially considering his history. Anything less is just an indication that the NBA doesn't care about violence anywhere near as much as it cares about TV ratings.

[Quotidien]

03:15 PM on 04/24/2012

His "Peace" name should be legally revoked.


He's back to being Ron Artest.

[badman5150]

04:40 PM on 04/25/2012

How about ron ARRESTED?

[Russ Marshall]

02:57 PM on 04/24/2012

Well Mr Sir Charles Barkley. You said teams should retaliate. And thats what Ron Ron did.
Are you happy now, You overpaid genius

[avery t]

02:54 PM on 04/24/2012

I don't see Harden's movement as confrontational.

I have two words for you: Ray Allen. I want a NBA represented by players like Ray Allen.

[fredpa]

02:28 PM on 04/24/2012

He celebrates two points in the first half of a league game this way? At that rate, Bobby Thompson would have given the whole right filed bleachers whip lash. Maybe he should wait until he does something significant, rather than try to make people notice him.

[Patriot Games]

01:52 PM on 04/24/2012

To those of you who have not played basketball, especially big men. Elbows are as common as three pointers. Shack, Jabbar, and all dominent big men have one, two sometimes three men draped over their backs. The little guys use their elbows to gain position and it goes on the whole game. Game after game. While MWP's elbow made great highlight film, watch the whole game to see that it was just life in the NBA. Next they will be wearing helmets like the NHL.

[avery t]

02:34 PM on 04/24/2012

Elbowing is always wrong. Furthermore, this was AFTER the play.

Suspend him for the playoffs.

I grew up watching the Celtics and Lakers in the early 80's. It wasn't an entirely clean game, but the NBA was much cleaner back then.

Now, EVERYBODY palms the ball. EVERYBODY.

[PirateJohn]

04:43 PM on 04/24/2012

Playoffs? He should never play again. With his long history of violence, he does not deserve to play anymore.

[yellowdoggie]

01:20 PM on 04/24/2012

MWP should be charged and booked and sent to jail. That was assault.

[PirateJohn]

04:45 PM on 04/24/2012

I couldn't agree more. There is nothing about being on a sports field that means that laws don't still apply. It's one thing if someone commits a very hard foul and causes injury. They should be punished by an ejection and possibly suspension, but that is still part of the game. Absolutely nothing about this elbow was part of the game.

It wouldn't be unprecedented, either. Remember that Bruin who went to jail for hitting a Canuck with a stick?

[TedEjr]

11:33 PM on 04/24/2012

When someone ACCIDENTALLY elbows someone, the REFLEXIVE reaction is to look at the victim.

Either to see what happened, or to whom, or in the case of sports, to make sure you didn't elbow a team mate.

Peace never looked.

This was intentional.