Poll: Metta World Peace Elbows James Harden — Was It A Cheap Shot Or Celebration?

April 23, 2012 6:33 AM

Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images

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Lakers star Ron Artest, or as he’s now known as Metta World Peace, was ejected from the game on Sunday against the Oklahoma City Thunder after he swung his elbow and hit James Harden in the head.

He was cited for a “flagrant foul 2″ and kicked out for the rest of the game. We want to know, do you think World Peace took a cheap shot or was it just an accident in the heat of celebration?

After the game, World Peace released a statement saying, “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, via 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.”

Take a look at the video below and tell us if you thought his elbow was a cheap shot or just in celebration.

[Source: HuffPo]

Poll: Metta World Peace Elbows James Harden Was It A Cheap Shot Or Celebration?

Judy Erb

I think it started as a celebration and then he felt someone pushing into him and he got caught in the moment, so I ask why was James Harden pushing into him? The play was over it was Oklahoma’s ball and I would think Harden would have turned around and tried to go down and score while Metta World Peace was celebrating, but he didn’t and I think Oklahoma was pushing his buttons. I think the league needs to really review the play and see what provoked Metta – I think he deserved a foul even a flagrant foul, but not suspension. Metta needs to continue to hurt teams with his playing abilities and not get physical – and how do you expect him to apologize when other players are coming at you? Kevin Durant is lucky he backed off, he is not match for Metta!!
http://www.icsbranch.net Peter

This is how I see it:

1) Artest is a veteran in every sense.
2) Harden is a young player.
3) Artest was celebrating (something basketball players do all the time).
4) Game was played in LA not Oklahoma.
5) Harden goes out of his way over to Artest to stop him from celebrating.
6) Artest feels an arm trying to stop him celebrating.
7) Instinctively, Ron throws an elbow to say “get the hell out of my face so I can celebrate”.
8) I am sure Artest was trying to throw a blow to the chest, maybe he thought it was a taller player , it is the NBA.
9) Ron never had eye contact with Harden.
10) Ejection is correct and fine him heavily, but suspension is BS!
RainbowRay

I saw the video clip as a celebration and nothing near intentional (interesting how people can see an action video or a hit different ways). The guy was clearly celebrating, his eyes were not even focused on anyone or anything in particular the whole time. His eyes were straight in one direction the whole time and yes he was definately caught up in the moment.

I love the other player’s name Metta World Peace and he was the one who was elbowed (high amusingly ironic and a bit funny when you think of it on the lighter side). Glad he’s alright though!

I didn’t think this one called for an ejection!

LOVE’
RainbowRay