LOS ANGELES, April 22, 2012 - During the second quarter of the L.A. Lakers and Oklahoma City Thunder game, Metta World Peace is ejected, and possibly for multiple games, after refs determine that the elbow thrown against Thunder guard James Harden was a cheap shot.
The elbow struck Harden in the ear, sending him plummeting to the hardwood in excruciating pain.
The Lakers forward had 12 points late in the second quarter. Metta World Peace began to pound his chest following his third dunk of the game.
This is when Thunder guard James Harden crossed toward the baseline and World Peace struck him in the left side of his head. There is an expected two game suspension in store for World Peace.
Thunder players, Kevin Durant and Serge Ibaka, ran toward World Peace as their teammate laid lifeless on the court. The Laker immediately took a boxing stance and after a brief exchange of words, referees and players separated the three.
The Lakers fans seemed to have a different opinion of the situation, booing referees as they ejected Metta World Peace from the game.
For many fans and analysts alike, this flagrant foul is reminiscent of the old “Artest” and his 2004 antics during the Indiana Pacers and Detroit Pistons game, in which he jumped into the stands and attacked a fan.
Artest, a.k.a. Metta World Peace, punching a fan during a Pacers vs. Pistons games
This is an unfortunate situation for many reasons; one being that the Lakers forward has worked so hard to shake the “thug” stigma that has permeated his career and the other being that the Lakers will miss his presence on the court during his impending suspension.
Metta World Peace was four-of-10 shooting for his 12 points with five rebounds and three steals while holding Durant to a three-of-eight. The Lakers went on to beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 114-106 in double OT.
Angelique Christina also writes Angelique’s Celebrity Q and A for Communities @WashingtonTimes.com Entertainment. Angelique Christina is also a celebrity correspondent for nightlife giant JackColton.com, staff writer for So6ix Magazine, and a contributing writer for several other publications across the country.
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