[Future_Scout]

meh… that was a flop

[NihochuParticipant]

 Damn this dude just put a vicious elbow into harden , wonder how many games he is gonna get suspended .. it aint right …. he was tring to say that he was just celebrating too ….

[providencefriars1Participant]

That was a crazy play… I think Artest is gone for 3 games.

[Tongue-Out-Like-23Participant]

Dirty, dirty play.

[llperez]

im thinking 5 games. He was having a crazy moment where he was celebrating and had no reason to hit harden and never even looked at him, just felt him and swung an elbow. I dont think he was thinking right. It will hurt the lakers big if he misses mor ethen the first round of the playoffs.

[NihochuParticipant]

 i think a name change is in order again

[Tongue-Out-Like-23Participant]

Yeah, I think it’s going to be 5 games, not smart to do that at this point of the season, especially because the suspension will spill onto the playoffs.  If they get a first-round vs Memphis matchup and Artest is out 2 or 3 games, they could be in trouble as he is their main defensive stopper and Barnes would have to start, weakening their bench.

[TyroberParticipant]

 I wouldn’t be surprised if he is done for the year including playoffs. This isn’t a random guy. Artest has a history of violence and an example should be made out of him.

[raybeasParticipant]

it will be at least 10 games. Maybe 25.

[druneave3Participant]

He should be suspended for the rest of the season, including playoffs. With our knowledge of the severity of concussions, he should be done. "World Peace" is a mental health advocate and his actions could possibly have profound, life changing effects to James Harden and his mental capabilities. unacceptable

[WereadyBParticipant]

Harden should have Neva stuck his nOse in Metta worlds peace celebration

[TheArtistPaysthePriceParticipant]

His follow through was like he didn’t even hit Harden. The slow motion on NBA TV was crazy. At least 5 games. I would give him however many games that makes him miss a least one playoff game. The Player’s Union wont even fight this one wholeheartedly because it was player on player crime. But remember when its a regular season game suspension it doesnt carry into the playoffs.

[carefulParticipant]

 "and World Peace comes in with the vicious left elbow" … something sounds wrong with that statement … I can’t put my finger on it though

[mcbaileyParticipant]

 How can people even suggest he flopped? Harden has a history of flopping, I’ll admit, but anyone who gets hit that hard in the back of the head is going to fall down.

[Ghost01Participant]

 I like people saying "this wasn’t smart"

really…did you really think RON ARTEST was thinking, "boy, I better not throw this elbow right now it might really cost my team"?

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

MWP went Mortal Kombat on Harden.

[Future_Scout]

 one word…

FLOP

 

[ChrisCrossParticipant]

he should be done for the year including playoffs, no room for jackasses like him

[B-ball fanParticipant]

 Stop trolling.

[ChrisCrossParticipant]

 also to the guy who said it was a flop, you’re either being a massive troll, or you’re the biggest dumbass. Harden went straight down on contact, that isn’t flopping

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

I think it was intentional. Artest saw him from the side.

I mean, look at how he pulled back lmfao. That wasn’t no accident man. He just played it off like it was. He felt Harden brush up against him before he threw it. That’s what the extra cock back was for.

Just wow… Looking at that in slow mo just makes me lmao. Ron is dirty for that.

[scbe2223Participant]

 I admire OKC’s team to an extent for not retaliating. If I saw anyone hit my teammate that hard I would be ejected as well. Incredibly dirty play

[WizardofOzParticipant]

[uknationParticipant]

 They didn’t fully retaliate because of who it was.  You see how Westbrook was running up on Artest then slowed down real quick. He will probably get 3 games. It was intentional but not at the same time. It wasn’t like a pinch being thrown intentional but it was a I know someone is there elbow throw intentional if that makes sense

[no skillsParticipant]

wow will ron ever learn? i am okay with a little contact but this was way over the line. time out time for ron!

[Johnny Chill]

Metta World Peace has to be the most intimidating player in the league.

I think OKC was too scared to retaliate.

[c’mon craigParticipant]

lmao @wizardofoz u made my day with that video

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

He should get 5 games at a minimum. Possibly between 10 and 15.

[Sasha4MVPParticipant]

 So sad, especially after MWP rehabilitated his image and became a pretty likeable player.  

Who would win in a fight though, Ron Artest or Ibaka? 

 

[iguapops420Participant]

May have been dirty, but let’s get real, dirtier things have been done. Bad move by Ron, but really, the NBA has gotten soft. The Pistons of the 80’s made a career out of being dirty. Mchale literally crossbody blocked Jurt Rambis out of the air. Now THAT, was a dirty play.

[aamir543Participant]

The motive was worth 2 games, but when they show the hi was sorth about 5, but when they show it in slow motion from the right angle, he absolutly levels poor Hrden with that elbow. I mean I honestly though Harden could’ve gotten severely injured from that.

[rickyD510Participant]

harden got a concussion… that is no joke id expect ron to miss a few playoff games and a hefty fine

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

Fast forward 1:06

[Future_Scout]

he’s flopping and bluffing so artest gets a harsh suspension and is out for the playoffs in case they meet

[TheArtistPaysthePriceParticipant]

Ibaka (6’10 245) let a 145 lb ref hold him back with one hand from MWP.

[PulseGlazerParticipant]

Seriously, he should be done for the season.  This isn’t just some guy.

[Snubs15Participant]

If this was his first time causing trouble I would think it would be around a 5-10 game suspension.

But because he is now a multiple offender and that was an unbelievably unnecessary play I feel as though he should be gone for the playoffs. Gotta set an example here, dirty elbows like that are not wanted in the NBA. Harden could’ve been seriously injured.

 

[TallmanNYCParticipant]

 I think the league is going to come down real hard, much more than five games. It looks intentional and if you take the view that is was, then this was no different than an assault. It was not a basketball play, it was a dead ball situation. There was no beef between the two players except that Harden was killing it (which is pretty much what he does, he is has become a top player). I think Aretest is done for the season and, frankly, I think the league has to think about just banning the guy. It has to be part of their discussion. I mean suppose he takes out another player next season? What is he going to do in a tight chippy physical playoff series after banging with the same guy for five games in a row? What if he gets real mad at a guy? At some point the league has to be liable for Artest’s actions because he has the history of dangerous plays and the league keeps allowing him to put on a uniform. Or maybe it is just the Lakers that take liability. I don’t know if that has ever been done, but it certainly could be. A company has liability for the actions of its employees, same should happen if you hire Artest with his history of violence. 

And by the way, this is an embarrassment to the Laker organization. Not as bad as what Bynum did in the playoffs. But at least it was the playoffs and a butt kicking and you could see how the guy could get worked up. This was just a regular season game. 

Credit to the players on both teams though for not letting the game get out of hand with retaliation. That game was an awesome game. It was an instant Kobe classic with some of the shots he hit at the end. But it will always have a dark stain on it from that action. 

[Snubs15Participant]

Also, just this past week Larry Sanders was suspended for getting angry and wanting to start something. I don’t think he even touched anyone and he was suspended for two games. Two games for not even providing physical contact with another player is pretty harsh so a powerful elbow to the back of the head should warrant much more suspension.

The league won’t be easy on Artest, or atleast they shouldn’t be.

[aamir543Participant]

Future Scout, are you kidding me? No way in hell is that a flop. He hit him hard as hell, did you see how quickly Harden was on the floor? No way is that a fake.

But one thing I observed was that Perkins had about 3 moving screens. They might have been illegal, but they sent the message and I’m sure Steve Blake is going under that one next time, lol.

[TruettParticipant]

 Ron Artest is going to have the best union lawyer appeal whatever decision the league makes. That attorney’s job is to create doubt and I see a lot of facts on the video that can cut boths ways. On one hand you have a player who has a history and a bad rep because of Detroit. On the other hand you have a player (who you would totally expect to do something dumb and not know he did it), hit a man who walked into his celebratory jestures, though he never make any eye contact with them, or seemed to acknowledge that the person was there and he made contact with them, and then stroll away like nothing happened. One version of the facts is enough to get someone w/ ron’s history suspended for the season, another is an accident. 

A key factor is going to be the extent of Harden’s injury. During the game they said he had "concussion-like-syptoms," which could mean anything. It didn’t look like he actually lost consciousness so it was probably a level one concussion if he even got one (which he probably did). Kevin Love actually got knocked out which means his was a 2 or 3. So that fact will probably cut in MWP’s favor.

Its probably going to be higher and then get cut back on appeal, but I am saying 5 games by the end of it. 

[OllstarParticipant]

The play wasn’t that malicious. Often players will shove or throw an elbow heading back on D. He was amped and excited(we know how Ron gets). His natural insticts took over at that moment and told him to take the head out. The act of throwing an elbow someones way heading back on D has never warranted a suspension. You could argue Ron never meant to hit Harden in the head, he wasn’t looking and was in the moment trying to get back on D. Suspend him one game. I like both OKC and LAL, as an observer it wasn’t a flop on Harden but I don’t think Ron really wanted to elbow Harden in the head.

[marcusfizer21Participant]

Metta World War

[Tha King2121Participant]

I just watched the replay again….. Oooo.. My celebration of the dunk really was too much… Didn’t even see James ….. Omg… Looks bad

 

This Guy is a Straight Clown 

[marcusfizer21Participant]

if a 6’7 250-pound man elbows you right in the jaw, I don’t think you’d even get up jabroni..

[Future_Scout]

i call that the "falcon punch celebration"

 

[mgreener_34Participant]

 His natural insticts took over at that moment and told him to take the head out"

You know how many NFL players are going to miss this upcoming season for the exact same reason. Take the head out. That was the Saints motto against the 49ers, go ask them how they feel about that now. Sure, if this was the UFC then the elbow might have been legal, but to the back of the head? Rewatching the replay too, you can blatantly see him check himself, and bring the elbow over Hardens shoulder. Dirty dirty play.

[Future_Scout]

 "Perkins has become one of those fake-tough, get T’d up, complain to refs, set illegal screens, but never really do anything guys"

agreed, cant forget about his ever lasting mean mug. perkins is the player i hate the most by far

 

[Ghost01Participant]

 A few comments on this….

 

1. Mike Breen couldn’t have possibly overreacted more to this play. It was a dirty play. I don’t think it destroys Artests "recovered" image, and I don’t think its that big of a deal.

2. It was undoubtably intentional, but it was about 3% James Harden’s fault. He bumps right into Artest, and its Artest, what do you expect? 

3. As intentional as it was, it wasn’t the worst thing I’ve ever seen done, he was sort of celebrating, and just decided to top it off with a nice elbow to the head. Regardless of how injured Harden is, I just don’t think it was the thing some are making it out to be.

4. No retaliation is an interesting point. KD had about as clear a view of it as you could get, and he did nothing what so ever. I know basketball isn’t hockey, but OKC lacks that enforcer type guy because Perkins has become one of those fake-tough, get T’d up, complain to refs, set illegal screens, but never really do anything guys. 

5. In the game itself, OKC once again looked like a totally flawed team. They have 2 guys taking all of the shots, the rest of their players are offensive liabilities, and they tend to take all jumpshots in tight games. Westbrook got bailed out a couple times, and Durant hit 1 or 2 ridiculous 3s. other than that, horrible, horrible execution down the stretch. 

[JNixonParticipant]

That was the most vicious hit Ive seen in a while. I wonder how long he gets suspended, should be interesting.

[bobbybParticipant]

It was wreckless, not intentional.  It is kinda like if you are speeding in your car or changing lanes without your blinker and then cause an accident, Yes, it is  your fault but it is not intentional. This is NOT like the Bynum foul on JJ Barea.

[TruettParticipant]

If ron can spin this as it looks like he is doing, and Harden is not that injured… I dont see him missing that many games. Did anyone leave the bench? You would expect after something like this that someone would leave the bench… 

[nick5354Participant]

I have no idea how you can possiblily defend  this. I hope he gets atleast 20+games for this. The league cannot stand to defend this hit by giving him 3 or so games. One of the most disgraceful things i have seen in sport., even by World Peace’s standards.

[invalidParticipant]

 OKC didnt do any after harden falls down. i wonder what tim thomas would have felt lol. metta world should be suspended this season. after all he could get a job at spartacus or game of thrones as a warrior

[TomShoeParticipant]

 I just think people are getting so pissy about this because this is RON ARTEST we are talking about.

*IMPORTANT POINT COMING UP*

Honestly, would anyone give a crap if this was Josh McRoberts or Jason Kapono? Don’t lie, no they wouldn’t.

All these people and sportswriters calling this a "dirty play" are just jumping on Metta because of his previous track record. They are idiots trying to get cheap fame.

I still think MWP is a good guy, and people are bound to do things they regret in the heat of the moment. I’d be happy beyond belief if I got to dunk on Durant and Ibaka at the same time.

This is all just another s hitstorm entirely created by the media and people that can’t let go of the past.

[TyroberParticipant]

 ^crazyguy

[TyroberParticipant]

doublepost

[McDunkin]

 

[marcusfizer21Participant]

even if Derrick Rose was the one who elbowed Harden, I’d still be mad at him and I’m a Derrick Rose d*ckrider…

[Maniac MaciejParticipant]

The man shouldn’t be allowed on an NBA court again. I don’t care if it was wreckless/intentional/whatever you want to call it…it was clearly not inadvertent, and if he had caught him in the face, he could have done some serious damage.

[Counting StarsParticipant]

I’ve never celebrated anything by flailing my elbows about like that. It’s not a naturally comfortable position. Artest (I’m not calling him World Peace) knew he was about to hit somebody. He may not have been thinking, but that in itself doesn’t justify what he did in any way.

[TallmanNYCParticipant]

 Looking at the GIF above it looks blatent and intentional. He doesn’t have to look there as he can feel Harden bump into him so he knows Harden is there. He isn’t pumping his chest with his left arm, he is pulling it all the way back to with his hand going back behind his head (you can actually see it on the other side of his head in the giff). That is totally cocking the arm back to deliver an elbow. If that doesn’t get slowed up by Hardens shoulder and neck a bit and instead had hit Harden flush on the temple, it could have killed Harden. 

For the league and the Lakers the problem isn’t this instance really. It is what happens if the next blow connects harder and a player is seriously injured or even killed. Eventually the player taking these shots (or their next of kin) is going to sue the pants off the Lakers and the League. And the rumble in the palace, this shot and the numerous other hard fouls, technicals and suspensions that Artest has picked up is going to make that case a slam dunk. The guy is a legal liability now and frankly he is just an average player. I don’t think any team is really going to want to put him back on the court. The Lakers may have no choice because they are a championship contender with a very weak bench. And frankly, I think the league could come down real hard and suspend Artest for the entire playoffs. As for next season, I’d find a way to replace Artest and if I were a GM of another team, I wouldn’t pick him up. The upside is you get a cheap average quality starter. The downside is that you loose him at a crucial moment and you embarass your franchise or even have to pay someone millions to settle a lawsuit. Artest the basketball player just isn’t worth it. 

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

I was watching First Take this morning and I do think Skip had a point though.

James Harden got in his way on purpose. Harden is known for flopping and he probably was trying to draw the foul. He’s done this before.

Thing is, he got a little more than what he bargained for.

[iguapops420Participant]

 ^^^Exactly what I was thinking. Vujacic used to do the same thing, often referred to as "Rage Against the Machine" by getting so close to the offensive pplayer so that they can’t turn at all without bumping the defnder. I doubt Ron wanted to hurt Harden as he has actually become quite the humanitarian More of a GTFO of the the way dude that was harder than meant and just happened to hit James in the head as opposed to the shouler area which was probably where it was more than likely intended.

Damn, a day later and I just realized I put Jurt Rambis instead of Kurt . SMH

[Ghost01Participant]

I agree with Indiana, Harden pretty obviously got in his way. People saying he should be "out of the league" and stuff are crazy.

[Snubs15Participant]

You cant be serious?

If he was intending on elbowing Harden in the shoulder area than why does he elevate his elbow above his own shoulders? He raised the elbow to take out hardens head. It’s pretty obvious. Heat of the moment or not, thats a dirty play. He knows Harden is there after being slightly bumped by him, so why would you throw your elbow in that direction and why would you raise it to about head level? Just because a player steps in front of you doesn’t justify a dirty elbow to the head with a powerful windup from the opposite side of your body Thats also not in any way a type of celebration, I have never witnessed a celebration like that before.

And do you not think that if you just unintentionally elbowed someone in the back of the head, you might turn around and look at what you just accidentaly did? Especially if it was a powerful elbow as well,  which it was. Watch the video and you see Ron Artest run away awkwardly like he didn’t even feel contact.

 

 

[aamir543Participant]

Guys, it was a stupid move in the Heat of the moment. 4 games seems good to me, but it’s not that big of a deal. What I’m about to say is very confusing, but it was intentional and unintentional a the same time. He wasn’t trying to hurt anyone, but he did try to elbow someone. It ws stupid and he will get repremanded, he has apologized and admitted it "looks bad", but it’s not that big of a deal, that is assuming Harden is OK………….

[kobyzParticipant]

agree with the rest of you, i think because it’s Ron Artest and the history he has, the NBA should exacerbate the penalty and suspend him for the year!
Harden on his side should not feel so innocent, if you going with a beard like that you can’t complain when things like that happened to you.

[PulseGlazerParticipant]

Yes, but history MATTERS!  It establishes a pattern of activity.  Generally, the best predictor of future action is past action.  Artest has been dangerous on more than one occassion and likely will be so again. 

[rwd5035Participant]

What heat of the moment are we talking here? How many times have anyone made a good basketball play on this board, and in the heat of the moment elbowed someone in the head after it? The truth is Metta has to live with the consequences, and it should be a lengthy suspension, and fine. There’s no room for this on a basketball floor. I’ve talked some smack on the floor, but I’ve never elbowed anyone intentionally. There is no reason for his elbow to be above his shoulders, and flying at Harden’s head.

[Tongue-Out-Like-23Participant]

James used "harden"… it’s not very effective.

[A Lil EnglishParticipant]

Harden got in the way – AND?? Give him an elbow so he can pose after his dunk?

LOL. I LOVE this place.

[aamir543Participant]

Hey guys, 20 games is way too much for this. Here is what happened, a guy nudged him, he got made, and he threw an elbow without thinking. NOrmally I’ give it 4 games, but because of how hard the hit was I’d say 5-6 games, but anywhere from 4-6 seems fine, but I hate how the media completely overreacts. It’s not that big of a deal, that is assuming Harden is ok.

[Wahoo757Participant]

4-6 games is way too short in my opinion. If you give a guy a blow to the head like that and it’s not even hard foul or a basketball move it needs to be more, especially if it’s soneone like Ron Artest who’s been suspended numerous times. I wouldn’t let him play in the playoffs, which in the Lakers case would be about 7 or 8 games.

[Tongue-Out-Like-23Participant]

4 games?  This is not Tayshaun Prince or Grant Hill throwing an accidental elbow, this is Ron Artest throwing a purposely thrown elbow to James Harden, not Daequan Cook or Reggie Jackson.  

Harden got a concussion for God’s sake… the most dangerous/common injury nowadays is a concussion and is exactly what we’re trying to stop in football and hockey… now it’s showing up in basketball and baseball too?  Harden won’t even play this next game and probably won’t play the next.  

Look at Sidney Crosby, got a conscussion last year and missed the last 40+ games of the season, this year he only played one-fourth of the season and was nowhere near his level of play just because of a concussion.  

An elbow to the head is probably the most dangerous hit you can take in any sport.  What if it would have hit his eye-socket and left his blind from one eye?  His nose?  His jaw?  What if he would have hit James Harden on his temple and nearly killed him?

It’s 10+ games.

[Author]

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