Metta World Peace Suspended

Will the suspension of Metta World Peace hurt the Lakers?

Coming just two days after the fiasco between Los Angeles Lakers forward, Metta World Peace and Oklahoma City Thunder guard, James Harden, the NBA has decided to suspended World Peace for seven games.

The two were involved in a one sided “fight” where World Peace after a dunk began celebrating and unintentionally, as he described it threw an elbow, which knocked Harden to the floor.

After the game, World Peace would address the media about his elbow play.

“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. “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.”

World Peace would go onto add saying, “You know, it was such a great game and it was unfortunate so much emotion was going on at that time. … That’s it for today.”

Now, two days after throwing an unintentional elbow at Harden, World Peace said on his website (www.ronartest.com) in a statement responding to the seven game suspension, given to him by the NBA saying, “I apologize to the Oklahoma City Thunder fans and the OKC organization. I look forward to getting back on the floor with my teammates and competing for the Lakers fans.”

As for Harden he would post on his twitter account saying that he felt good.

Im solid. Feeling good. Appreciate y’all for checking on me!!

— James Harden (@JHarden13) April 24, 2012

Though despite, Harden’s health being in a good state, NBA Commissioner, David Stern said in a statement that these types of issues need to be taken very seriously.

“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,” Stern said in a statement. “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.”

As for the Lakers, they too accepted the seven game suspension as general manager, Mitch Kupchak too released a statement saying:

“Metta has for the most part been a model citizen both on and off the court since joining the Lakers. Still, his most recent lapse in judgment is not to be condoned or accepted. His actions could have seriously injured another player, and his absence during this suspension will hurt our team as well. While we accept the league’s decision, we will be supportive of Metta and try to help him be more professional on the court.”

In other news, as a result to the Los Angeles Clippers losing to the Atlanta Hawks, 109-102 the Lakers, will clinch the number three seed and will face either the Denver Nuggets or the Dallas Mavericks.

As for World Peace, his suspension will start Thursday against the Sacramento Kings in the Lakers season finale.

“It’s hard to get into a guy’s head and know exactly what happened in that situation,” Bryant told reporters. “I haven’t really spoken to him about it. You’ve really got to ask him.”

Breaking Down Blake Griffin’s “Dunk”: Where Does It Stand?

Griffin rises up above Perkins.

In 1951, New York Giants player Bobby Thomson hit a game winning home run which clinched the National League pennant for the Giants and his homerun was nicknamed, the “Shot heard ‘round the world.”

Moving onto 2012, last night Los Angeles Clippers forward, Blake Griffin cut to the basket, received a pass from guard Chris Paul, rose up and dunked it on Oklahoma City center Kendrick Perkins.

The Staples Center crowd immediately rose to their feet with cheers and excitement as they all may had just witnessed history. Many began calling it the “dunk of the year” and one of the best dunks they’ve ever seen as players went to twitter to share their thought of the dunk.

“Dunk of the Year!! @blakegriffin just dunked on Kendrick Perkins so hard!! Wow!! I guess I’m #2 now. Move over #6,” Miami Heat forward LeBron James tweeted.

“OMG!!! OMG!!! Who just saw the dunk by @blakegriffin on kendrick perkins?!! This dude is a beast!!,” Football star Terrell Owens tweeted.

“Watched blakes dunk over and over again. Almost makes me wonder if me and him even play the same sport. What an athlete,” Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki tweeted.

Though watching it over again and again and again, is it really that great of a dunk? Is it worthy of calling it the “dunk of the year” when there’s still plenty more of games to come? Or is both of those and worthy of being nicknamed the “DUNK heard ‘round the world?”

Absolutely not and matter of fact, the dunk that LeBron James had the night before against the Chicago Bulls which he jumped over Bulls player John Lucas, then caught the ball and then dunked it, was much better than Griffin’s dunk on Monday night. Continuing with that, realistically Griffin’s “dunk” technically is just a lay-up as there was very little contact made with the rim if any at all.

So, dunk of the year? Best dunk ever? Nickname it the DUNK heard ‘round the world? No, no, and no.