Tuesday, April 24th, 2012 at 8:15 pm  |  95 responses

Metta World Peace Suspended 7 Games for Elbowing James Harden in the Head


by Marcel Mutoni / @marcel_mutoni

As expected, the NBA came down hard on Metta World Peace for his elbow to the head of James Harden this past Sunday, which resulted in a concussion for the OKC Thunder’s star forward.

The League suspended MWP for seven games, without pay. He’ll begin serving the suspension on Thursday night, in the Los Angeles Lakers’ final regular season game.

Per the official press release:

The Lakers’ Metta World Peace has been suspended for seven games without pay for striking the Thunder’s James Harden in the head with his elbow, the NBA announced today. [...] “The concussion suffered by James Harden demonstrates the danger posed by violent acts of this kind, particularly when they are directed at the head area,” NBA Commissioner David Stern said. “We remain committed to taking necessary measures to protect the safety of NBA players, including the imposition of appropriate penalties for players with a history of on-court altercations.”

The suspension will begin with the Lakers’ next game at Sacramento on April 26. The remaining games of the suspension will be served over the next six games in which the player is eligible and physically able to play, including this season’s playoffs.

Considering the outrage expressed by everyone from fans, media and opponents, Metta World Peace’s punishment from the NBA is tough but fair. What he did was indefensible, and he’s lucky the League didn’t overreact and keep him off the court even longer.

As for James Harden, there’s no telling when he’ll play again. He’s currently listed as day-to-day, but appears to be in good spirits and his teammates seem to believe he’ll bounce back from the concussion, and be ready to go once the Playoffs start.

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  • Sesa

    And the discussion for how long MWP should be suspended continues…

  • http://www.slamonline.com Slick Ric

    I think its fair.

  • GeeCyrous

    That’s too much.. NBA is too soft!

  • OkC

    I said 5 games but 7 is cool with me

  • http://Slamonline.com nbk

    Pretty much exactly what I expected

  • http://www.slamonline.com/online/nba/2012/04/metta-world-peace-suspended-7-games-for-elbowing-james-harden-in-the-head/ thePhoenix

    They should suspend him for as long as Harden is ruled, by neutral doctors, to be unable to play. Perhaps with a minimum of X games to show that the conduct is inexcusable even if Harden returned immediately.

  • thebugg

    Not long enough. Should be out the entire playoffs.

  • Griffin

    I think 4 games no pay would’ve made more sense. 7 games is ridiculous. But I could understand why the NBA gave him 7 because if not, they would be brutally criticized

  • IAMORANGE4EVER

    Artest will be back for game 7 in round one against the Mavs. Can’t wait! lol

  • http://Roosterteeth.com Caboose

    I expected 10, but I suppose given a condensed season, 7 is fair.

  • Marcel

    I agree with thebugg

  • Moj

    The truth is that the suspension doesn’t really make a big difference, nobody in the West are getting past the Spurs this year. But it probably should’ve been a bit longer because of the concussion/ Artest’s history.

  • Quincy Douby

    ^ wow

  • rand33p

    nobody getting past the Spurs? guarantee they don’t make it past 2 rounds … either IMO Lakers, OKC, Grizz are the top 3 in West.. even though Spurs have done a great job this year (just like they did last year)

  • http://ZOGS.COM ZOGS

    JAMES HARDENS STUPID BIG A$$ HEAD WAS IN THE WAY!!
    -
    IF ANYTHING JAMES HARDEN SHOULD HAVE GOTTEN SUSPENDED,RON RON COULD HAVE TORE A LIGEMENT OR BROKEN SOMTHING IN HIS ELBOW!!!
    –
    –
    BAN JAMES HARDEN AND HIS FOREHEAD FROM THE NBA

  • Griffin

    THE SPURS ARE JST A BUNCH OF OLD HEADS AND ONLY GOOD DURING THE REGULAR SEASON. THEY CANT RUN WTH OKC OR EVEN THE GRIZZLIES WILL MAKE BIG NOISE THIS PLAYOFFS. I WON’T COUNT OUT THE LAKERS TOO…

  • http://www.nba.com VanCityBBall

    is harden still a canidate for 6th MOTY even with this injury?

  • http://www.slamonline.com Chubachuchi

    Is that really your website on your link I just clicked on it by accident.

  • http://www.slamonline.com Chubachuchi

    Intended for ZOGS.

  • Jerome

    Good one Zogs. Lakers are done if there are/is Basketball God(s). Meaning no Chip for them. Too soft … take your UFC watching, douche drippin’ ass out of here.

  • http://Slamonline.com nbk

    Van there are two games left in the reg season. Harden won the award, it’s a given.

  • Jerome

    Somebody that plays hockey should understand the severity of elbows and concussions. Zogs has suffered a few already apparently.

  • Mariano

    Just for the people saying that Spurs are not even top 3 in the West: Spurs swept the season series against Memphis, destroyed LA 2 consecutive games, and beat OKC 2 consecutive games. The difference between this year and last year’s Spurs is that they’re deeper, they’re better defensively AND offensively, AND most of all, they’re on a hot streak. For those that don’t recall, the Spurs were really cold during the last 12 games last year, losing 8 out of those 12, INCLUDING one against Memphis.

  • http://www.yahoo.com berkamore

    Ron Artest may actually back on the court before James Harden is. Good for you, Artest. I guess he hasn’t met the 100th person yet…..(for those who don’t know, it’s the person that makes you pay for the 99 other you abused, cheated…etc) but it will happen. LOL.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=542782613 The White Steve Smith

    7 games is a bit excessive

  • http://Roosterteeth.com Caboose

    Hey Slam, you should put up a poll of: “Was Metta’s suspension appropriate?” with A) Not enough. B) Too much. C) Pretty fair.

  • shutup

    Mariano your forgetting the most important thing, they are healthy. Last year the big three were all injured or hobbled going into the playoffs. Keep sleeping on the Spurs. @berkamore never heard of that before is it from a book, movie or article?

  • Drig

    Well…….let’s see. Harden looks like he can make the 1st round matches quite easily and Metta will probably have to wait till round 2……or till next season. Barnes is injured as well…….

  • RunNGun

    Seven games? Seems like a slap on the wrist. I was thinking maybe 12 games max… oh well.

  • http://thetroyblog.com Teddy-the-Bear

    What Artest did was pretty despicable, and I wouldn’t have complained at all if his suspension was longer, but nobody in the history of the league (as far as I know) has been suspended for a lenghth “pending the other player’s recovery.” Remember a few seasons back when Andrew Bynum collapsed one of Gerald Wallace’s lungs doing the same forearm shiver he did to Barrea? Was Bynum even suspended for that?

  • http://www.kb24.com The Seed

    Should have been the 1st round playoff series, 7 games is too much, Harden got in his way and caught an elbow. I don’t think Peace was aiming for his head. Harden is the blamed too and also Harden needs to get big and get up from that. Harden acting like he never been hit or knocked down before. MWP will be back, thanks for resting him NBA. BOOK IT!!

  • MikeC.

    Totally fair suspension. The elbow was an obviously violent act that has no place on a basketball court. Bust that out if you find yourself in the middle of a vicious cockfight, but tuck it away when you’re playing ball. Learn and move on.
    @Jerome – I think ZOGS’ comment was meant to be sarcastic. I hope so anyway.

  • http://www.yahoo.com berkamore

    @ Shutup,

    Read that in a novel. Don’t remember which one. I guess it’s another way of saying that karma exists. Here’s what I think: you can get away with things once or a few times but you should know when to stop. And well, when there are no consequences, some people don’t stop and eventually get caught and/or face serious consequences. Sorry, didn’t want to be that philosophical. LOL.

  • http://Slamonline.com Kevin Durant’s Backpack

    Metta world problems should be kicked out of the L right now. Stupid David stern.

  • Mariano

    @shutup Yeah, that too lol. I just didn’t wanna make my comment too long, but yeah, health is definitely the most important thing right now.

  • Lakeshow

    NBA made an example outta this dude! That shot just grazed his head, it looked bad on the replay the way his elbow slipped because Harden’s face was sweaty. IMO that hit was a flop by Harden… toughing up and stop acting like a little baby,

  • http://www.borntocompete.com Money$hot

    Its not illegal to get in somebody’s way in basketball, but it is definitely illegal to throw an elbow head shot, shit that move is not even legal in the NFL and they have helmets. I don’t even see how anybody can blame Harden for this

  • Omnixyience

    The Lakers are facing Denver on the first round.

  • http://slamonline.com The Philosopher

    THAT’S EXCESSIVE!!!

  • http://slamonline.com The Philosopher

    Nah…
    Just kidding.

  • http://www.thesmashbrothas.com zen garden

    Meh, fair enough.

  • BRYANT BYNUM GASOL 24 17 16

    This is a joke. Way too much. It was an accident harden is a diving fool

  • http://www.slamonline.com Red

    Spurs won’t go all the way…I mean I hope nobody seriously believes that. But I was thinking 5 games 7 is a bit much.

  • robb

    I think is fair

  • http://slamonline house

    1. Not a harsh enough penalty, should be for entirety of playoffs.

    2. Zogs is a trolling fool.

    That is all.

  • http://www.borntocompete.com Money$hot

    That elbow wouldn’t even be legal in the NFL and they wear helmets, Ron will be back in the second round and do some crazy shit next year and the NBA will deserve it

  • bravo

    Zogs i agree 100%.

  • http://slamonline.com LakeShow

    1. I hate people that love the Lakers on this site minus 3 peeps I can think of.
    2. This is what I expected andam pleased with the L’s call on this one.
    3. Holy freakin balls playoffs are practically here!

  • http://slamonline.com LakeShow

    Kevin Durant’s Back Pack
    The White Steve Smith
    Rik Smits Mullet
    The black Rick Kamla
    Wow we are an ecclectic bunch aren’t we lmmfreakinao.

  • riggs

    @BRYANT BYNUM GASOL 24 17 16 : i want to elbow you in the back of the head like that and see how you keep from falling. Idiot.

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