Following are two articles. The first is much like many articles that were written about the violent elbow thrown by the Lakers’ Metta World Peace in last Sunday’s NBA game versus the Oklahoma City Thunder. It states, World Peace was fined but will return to play. The second article is fictitious, will never happen, and is idealistic. It is, in my opinion, THE article that would have been written, if the NBA would have done the right thing.
Metta World Peace Suspended 7 Games for Elbow
Allaboutthemoney Press Association
Sunday, April 25, 2012
The NBA suspended Metta World Peace (formerly Ron Artest) 7 games for his latest violent act. World Peace was suspended Tuesday for hurling a direct vicious elbow at the head of Oklahoma City’s guard, James Harden, giving him a concussion, Monday. When interviewed after the game, the seemingly-calm World Peace explained he was celebrating his dunk and that the blow was purely accidental. NBA commissioner David Stern, after getting all the facts, including Metta’s history of similar violent actions, said,
“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. 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.”
World Peace will miss the last regular game of the season at Sacramento and the first six playoff games. He will lose $348,000 in salary if he serves the entire suspension this year. If the Lakers lose in the first round quickly, the remainder of the suspension will be served next year.
Now suppose, if the NBA would have DONE THE RIGHT THING because it is concerned with player safety, public opinion of the league, and the youth of this country, this is the way that article would read.
Metta World Peace Fired; NBA Commissioner Says He’s Had Enough
Common Sense Press Association
Sunday, April 25, 2012
Sunday, Lakers forward Metta World Peace (formerly Ron Artest) hurled a vicious elbow into the head of Oklahoma City’s guard, James Harden and was ejected. World Peace told reporters the incident was accidental. However, when the commissioner and his staff viewed the film, he immediately made the decision to oust World Peace from the NBA.
Said the commissioner, “There is no place in this league for anyone who deliberately throws blows at another player’s head. There is no place for anyone who repeatedly has shown he not capable of self control and does, at any point, fly off the handle and begins physically damaging other human beings. Metta World Peace is not welcomed back to the NBA ever.
“Going forward, if we see this happen again, from anyone no matter if they have a record or not, and it is determined the act is premeditated and endangered the health of the victim, we will release that person from the league. I don’t care if the Players’ Union takes us to court. My primary concern is the welfare of our players. But I am also concerned with our young people. They need to know how the game should be played and I am a firm believer, the best players in the world have a responsibility to demonstrate exactly that.”
Metta World Peace is expected to begin training for his new career in Ultimate Fighting on Monday where he is expected to receive a few blows to the head himself. However this time, he will have the opportunity (unlike Harden) to see the elbow coming.
(Swen Nater is a former NBA center and played for legendary UCLA hoops coach, John Wooden. )
