Suspend MWP for the playoffs...

[DisAsTerBot]

Said the "White media and Uncle Toms at ESPN want Ron out of the playoffs"

Said he lost all respect for Bruce Bowen. So Im more than likely guessing he dropped the uncle tom on him.

Reverse racism. Gotta love it.

im sure bruce is crushed he's lost the respect of the less talented artest

[T Park]

Everybody keeps saying he's going to get preferential treatment because he's a Laker, but I feel like it's more likely that Stern will err on the side of OVER-punishing him because he knows that would be the perception otherwise.

See thats what he'd WANT you to think!

Dah dah DAHHHHHHHH

[Mugen]

He needs to be banned or at the very least suspended indefinitely and then to have his case reviewed at the start of next season. Between his history, his lack of impulse control, and his inability to handle his emotions, I'm not sure it's worth the risk of someone else getting seriously hurt.

I mean concussing someone for getting in the way of his celebration? To ensure the safety of opposing players, he shouldn't get another chance imo.

I understand the thinking. But I really don't think Metta is a bad guy. He's just certifiably insane. So i guess you can say ban him for the playoffs because he's nuts but 10-15 games is pretty much the playoff lifespan for the Lakers anyways

He's a Laker so i wouldn't complain if he's out til next year. But if he did this while wearing any other uniform, i'd say 10-15 games seems about right.

[Obstructed_View]

The fact of the matter is that similar incidents (flagrant 2's, intentional elbows, head shots) are traditionally 1-2 game suspensions, though the Barea hit by Bynum was 5 games.

I'm struggling to think of a "similar incident" since the rules were changed. If you can name one, please share it. The Bynum hit was nothing compared to this, I'm sure you'll agree.

Many people in the NBA community (reporters, players, etc) seemed to feel 5 games was appropriate - it seems to be non-Laker fans and some reporters loudly proclaiming the longer suspensions on the basis of viciousness or intention or concussion hysteria.

Yes, the non-Laker fans think it was a vicious, intentional hit that deserves far more than a 5 game suspension. That's exactly what I said. I have no personal dog in this fight; there's nothing for the Spurs to gain by Artest missing the playoffs.

As someone (Mel? timvp?) suggested, the max number of games that he can be suspended without appeal is the most likely scenario here, imo.

Feels like they're trying to make sure the world will be able to digest a suspension that allows Artest to come back during a potential second round series with OKC, which is shameful. I like the scenario above, and also liked the other suggestion that he just be suspended for the remainder of this season to be re-evaluated before next year.

[Bruno]

Said the "White media and Uncle Toms at ESPN want Ron out of the playoffs"

Said he lost all respect for Bruce Bowen. So Im more than likely guessing he dropped the uncle tom on him.

Reverse racism. Gotta love it.

Ron Artest's brother is weird too. Earlier this season, he said that he was still mad at Spurs for not having made the trade for Ron Artest in 2008.

[Bruno]

From the LA Times. The caption for this picture reads:

Lakers forward Metta World Peace is in full celebration following a dunk as Thunder guard James Harden bumps into him before the elbow-swinging incident.

What's next? Harden should be suspended for having attacked Artest elbow with his jaw?

[hater]

Bowen trolling the out of lakerfans from his grave

epic

[easy7]

According to this article http://sports.yahoo.com/news/harden-...tdPGou.8w5nYcB James Harden has not been cleared to play as of today, so it does not look good for MWP.

[TheSkeptic]

I understand the thinking. But I really don't think Metta is a bad guy. He's just certifiably insane. So i guess you can say ban him for the playoffs because he's nuts but 10-15 games is pretty much the playoff lifespan for the Lakers anyways

He's a Laker so i wouldn't complain if he's out til next year. But if he did this while wearing any other uniform, i'd say 10-15 games seems about right.

That's the problem. The fact that he lacks proper judgement skills and impulse control is a large part of what makes him a danger. Did you see his reaction to Ibaka afterwards? It's like something primitive was controlling him. He just snapped.

Harden got off with *only* a concussion and even then he could've been killed. The NBA shouldn't continue to tempt fate with Artest. He may not be a bad person but he *is* dangerous to the other players on the court.

At some point you just have to recognize that Ron isn't capable of handling himself in a compe ive setting where his emotions run high. Stern/Jackson need to cut their losses with this guy before he ends up putting someone in the hospital.

[Pocket Hippo]

Harden got off with *only* a concussion and even then he could've been killed. The NBA shouldn't continue to tempt fate with Artest. He may not be a bad person but he *is* dangerous to the other players on the court.

At some point you just have to recognize that Ron isn't capable of handling himself in a compe ive setting where his emotions run high. Stern/Jackson need to cut their losses with this guy before he ends up putting someone in the hospital.

I completely agree.
A friend made the point that if you have been suspended ten times, several times for violence outside the bounds of the game and you don't get kicked out of the league, then what does it take to get kicked out? Murder?
Several of his suspensions, including this one, were not for "hard fouls" they were for outright violent assaults, there was not even a ball in play.

Not getting rid of him is setting a dangerous precedent. If it is only a 5-10 game suspension for attacking someone while the ball is not in play I would recommend that the Denver Nuggets use Timofey Mozgov to take out Bynums MCL or ACL in the first game. Just walk up to him and kick the out of his knee Jet Li-style.
5-10 game suspension to guarantee that your team wins a series? Sounds like a deal, right?

[Obstructed_View]

Read something that Vegas has the o/u set at 7.5 games, fwiw.

[therealtruth]

That's the problem. The fact that he lacks proper judgement skills and impulse control is a large part of what makes him a danger. Did you see his reaction to Ibaka afterwards? It's like something primitive was controlling him. He just snapped.

Harden got off with *only* a concussion and even then he could've been killed. The NBA shouldn't continue to tempt fate with Artest. He may not be a bad person but he *is* dangerous to the other players on the court.

At some point you just have to recognize that Ron isn't capable of handling himself in a compe ive setting where his emotions run high. Stern/Jackson need to cut their losses with this guy before he ends up putting someone in the hospital.

I think the deciding factor will be intent. If it's clear it was intentional I think the league will go hard. He tried his best to make it seem non-intentional but you have to wonder.

[Obstructed_View]

I'm unsure how anybody could wonder, unless you're just wondering if he's lying about it or not.

If it's intentional then it's worthy of a lengthy suspension. If he really did something like that and was unaware that he did it, both during and after, then he's probably not sane enough to be driving a car or walking down the street.

[TheSkeptic]

I think the deciding factor will be intent. If it's clear it was intentional I think the league will go hard. He tried his best to make it seem non-intentional but you have to wonder.

I think the wind-up, his behaviour, and Kobe's comments really remove all doubt for me.

Either way I think they should look at banning him although they probably won't tbh.

[Mel_13]

No James Harden for the Thunder tonight vs. Kings. He hasn't passed the tests required by NBA's concussion policy to return.

http://twitter.com/#!/usat_jzillgitt

[DesignatedT]

Marc Stein ‏ @ESPNSteinLine Reply Retweet Favorite · Open
NBA announces that Metta World Peace has been suspended for seven games for striking OKC's James Harden

[DesignatedT]

John Hollinger ‏ @johnhollinger Reply Retweet Favorite · Open
OKC now in odd position of rooting for a Laker first-round sweep so MWP will miss first two games of second round.

[Obstructed_View]

Feels like they're trying to make sure the world will be able to digest a suspension that allows Artest to come back during a potential second round series with OKC, which is shameful.

Damn, I'm good.

[ducks]

7 games

[Legacy]

Disgusting. Simply disgusting.