First, Metta World Peace is NOT Ron Artest as they are referring to him. This isn't the same guy who ran into the stands in Detroit. He even won J Walter Kennedy Citizenship award last year.
Next, Harden is no saint and he clearly did not want MWP to celebrate so he ran into his side/back area. MWP was celebrating until someone ran into him and he merely brushed him off with an elbow. He was clearly excited with adrenaline flowing so he cocked his arm back and used a bit too much force, the elbow HAPPENED to hit Harden in the head. Had this been a teammate, referee or anyone else, they too would have got hit with that elbow.
Lastly, when MWP ran down the court like nothing happened it was because he REALLY didn't know anything really happened. All he thought he did was clear some space. Ibaka came running down with his fists clinched and MWP was ready to fight but that doesn't mean anything except he was prepared to defend himself against someone who was attacking him.
It was CLEARLY not intentional yet people want to act like he purposely tried to take Harden out. If he WANTED to take him out, he would. But WHY would he?? He was in the best shape he has been in years and has been playing VERY WELL as of late. The Lakers are ready to make another long playoff run and MWP wants to be a part of that.
3 games is fair, 5 games is a bit high, anything else is ridiculous.
Once again, Stern got it about right. I would have probably given 5 but 7 is reasonable for the incident. Not sure how you defend this. Not sure how Harden is somehow partly at fault either. Artest decked him. He got punished for it. Let's move on. Harden will get his revenge in round 2 of the playoffs.
ReplyDeleteStern got it right "once again??" Like he did when he let Seattle's team go to Oklahoma? Like he did when he vetoed a trade agreed by both GM's?
ReplyDeleteSpeak from a basketball fan's perspective not a Laker hater's.