Metta World Peace expects to hear it from Thunder fans
A long memory isn’t required to figure out why Metta World Peace became a main story line for the Western Conference semifinals.
He was hit with a seven-game suspension for elbowing Oklahoma City guard James Harden in the head three weeks ago. The Lakers begin the semifinals Monday at the home of the Thunder.
“It’ll be ironic. I assume that the fans won’t love it,” World Peace told The Times in a quiet moment before Game 7. “People can say what they want, but that’s going to the most entertainment Oklahoma City has had since they’ve been Oklahoma City.
“But for me it’s just work. I’m not even really worried about what they think. They have Derek Fisher in that locker room. Whether that elbowing happened or not, they would come in with some focus.”
Would Fisher put in a good word for World Peace, his former teammate for two-plus seasons?
“No. I wouldn’t,” World Peace said. “If I’m not on your team, I’m not on your team.”
World Peace has not spoken to Harden since elbowing him in the second quarter of the Lakers’ 114-106 double-overtime victory April 22.
He didn’t expect to greet him before the game.
“He doesn’t start. I only fist-bump the starting five,” World Peace said. “I don’t fist-bump subs.”
World Peace returned Saturday for Game 7 against the Denver Nuggets at Staples Center, his reappearance affecting almost everybody before tipoff.
Nuggets Coach George Karl gave it a thumbs down, saying World Peace should have been out the entire first round without the chance to be the “savior of a team.”
The Lakers, of course, opened their arms to him, Matt Barnes even interrupting World Peace’s interview with reporters Saturday morning by calling out, “Welcome back, Ron.”
It’s a minor gaffe to address World Peace by his former name, Ron Artest, but the Lakers definitely missed his defensive presence.
“He’s going to make a big difference,” Lakers center Andrew Bynum predicted beforehand. “We’ll have a different dynamic.”
World Peace had 15 points and five rebounds in the Lakers’ 96-87 series-clinching victory over the Nuggets. The ovation he received from Lakers fans during pregame introductions might have been the loudest among the starters.
“I think I’ve been in the spotlight a long time just for my personality,” he said. “When I got to L.A., I said if we don’t win a championship, blame me. So it came all the way down to Game 7 against Boston in 2010 and the spotlight was on me and everybody said, ‘If we don’t win, we’re going to blame you.’ And I had one of the biggest games of Lakers history.”
Indeed, World Peace had 20 points, five steals and a huge three-pointer with 1:01 left in that game. The Lakers beat the Celtics, 83-79, to win their 16th NBA championship.
After a slow start this season, World Peace had a stellar April and was on his way to a solid game against the Thunder until being ejected with 12 points,
five rebounds and three steals.
It was a bit of a rush to thrust him in the starting lineup Saturday. It paid off.
“A player as talented as he is and what he brings to their team on both ends of the floor, I don’t think it can hurt having him out there,” said Fisher, a teammate of World Peace’s for 212 seasons. “He’s another guy that they can use to facilitate the game offensively. So I don’t think there’s any question that they miss him.”
-Mike Bresnahan
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Atlanta Hawks Owner’s Fine from NBA for Controversial Comments Is Slap on Wrist
Atlanta Hawks‘ owner Michael Gearon Jr. got caught being too much of a fan, and his comments got him fined (in my sarcastic voice) a whopping $35,000. This per ESPN’s John Hollinger who tweeted the following:
NBA fines Hawks owner Michael Gearon $35,000 for “publicly criticizing officiating and making negative comments about an opposing player.”
— John Hollinger (@johnhollinger) May 12, 2012
This is nothing for an NBA owner, the consequence comes in the reprimand, not the actual fine. I find it refreshing to hear an owner talk like a regular, extremely biased and delusional fan of his team.
Gearon went in on the league for a foul disparity, saying, “we don’t get any calls.” We’ve all heard that phrase uttered among our friends, but an owner can’t just be one of the guys.
An owner publicly questioning the integrity of NBA officials isn’t professional, and it’s not a good look for the league—no matter how true it may be. I’m not saying I agree with him, but I can understand how owners may have to bite the blood out of their tongues to keep from speaking up about the officiating.
The entire theme of his comments weren’t just about the officiating. Gearon also came after Boston Celtics‘ big man, Kevin Garnett, calling him “the dirtiest player in the league.” Most everyone that watches the NBA would either agree with that, or they at least have KG in their top five filthiest.
Still—as an owner, you can’t say such a thing—even if you did witness KG punch Channing Frye in the genitalia.
The fine Gearon Jr. received will probably be paid with little grief, but the Hawks’ owner must learn to show more restraint when discussing NBA officials and players.
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After 50 years, Don Nelson finally graduates from Iowa
On Saturday, the former Hawkeyes’ star player returned to receive his bachelor’s degree in physical education.
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NBA Playoffs 2012: What to Expect from Metta World Peace in Return vs. Nuggets
Lakers talent Metta World Peace has spent the last two weeks on the sidelines and will now be the x-factor, the difference-maker in a Game 7 against the Denver Nuggets that his team desperately needs.
World Peace was suspended for seven games by NBA Commissioner David Stern and the league office for an elbow to the head of Oklahoma City Thunder guard James Harden.
The shot to the head was as disgusting, uncalled for and unsportsmanlike as any we have seen in recent memory, as the suspension was undoubtedly warranted. If anything, World Peace was fortunate to miss just seven games for the cheap blow.
Yet now it’s in the past, and there’s no question these Lakers are all the more confident that World Peace will be taking the court with them in Game 7.
These are the three reasons why Metta World Peace will be the missing piece to the puzzle that these Lakers have been searching for against this high-powered Denver Nuggets squad.
Aggressive Play Offensively
World Peace has undoubtedly lost a step or two in the scoring department, yet there is no question that his aggressive, tenacious way about him has been missed on this end of the floor.
He is a talent that does anything but settle for jump shots, as he likes to take the ball to the basket and make things happen at the rim. With the Lakers boasting such size and skill in the frontcourt in Andrew Bynum and Pay Gasol, World Peace will give these talents all the more opportunities to make plays by taking the ball into the paint.
In spite of averaging a career-low 7.7 points per game this season, World Peace has picked up the pace in his last several outings. He has scored at least 10 points in seven straight games and in nine of his last 10.
In a win over the West-leading San Antonio Spurs on the road, World Peace fueled the team with 26 points on 10-of-15 shooting. Make no mistake about it, an aggressive World Peace means big things for the Lakers.
Intensity
As much as those around the game think of World Peace as a dirty, selfish player based on his outbursts, he is also a fantastic player to have because he has such a drive to win games.
This is a player that will make the hustle plays, dive for loose balls and put in the extra work to help his team win games.
It is also integral to consider the playoff experience he boasts, which fuels this intensity of his. World Peace is a veteran that has played in the league for 13 seasons and has played in 76 postseason games.
With that type of experience and an undeniable passion for the game, World Peace’s impact will be felt from tipoff.
The Lakers Will Bring It On Defense, World Peace Will Lead the Way
It is what he is known for, the one factor that makes for his fat contracts: his defensive presence.
Hands down a top defensive presence in the league, World Peace will clog the paint against the Nuggets, a team that has destroyed the Lakers by getting the ball into the paint.
Point guards Ty Lawson and Andre Miller have taken over this series by attacking the rim and creating opportunities for their bigs to make plays. The No. 1 scoring team in the NBA this season has Lawson and Miller averaging 11.7 assists, 30.9 points and just three turnovers per game.
Their ability to not give away the basketball and make plays offensively has helped fuel this Nuggets team to a 3-3 series tie.
In what will be a Game 7 victory for the L.A. Lakers, expect World Peace to bring his all on the defensive end and keep Lawson and Miller out of the paint regularly.
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5 teams that will attempt to sign Jeremy Lin from the Knicks
Point guard Jeremy Lin has essentially become a restricted free agent now that the New York Knicks’ season is officially over but the Knicks may not have the money to sign him to a long term contract. The only good news for the Knicks is that under league rules, Lin can only sign for a maximum of $5 million per season over the next two seasons. That doesn’t prevent teams from offering Lin a longer contract paying him more after those first two seasons though. If the Knicks can’t compete with a team willing to sign him to a longer contract then that could be the end of the “Lin-sanity craze” in New York. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE »
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Metta World Peace on Punk’d: What to Expect from Lakers Star on MTV Prank Show
As if the past few weeks of Metta World Peace’s life weren’t complicated enough, news that the NBA star will appear on an episode of MTV’s hit prank show Punk’d Thursday, May 10 is just more drama to add to the pile.
We can’t forget Thursday is the Los Angeles Lakers’ sixth game of their first round NBA playoffs series against the Denver Nuggets, and the first game World Peace will be eligible to play.
In what could be the greatest line I’ve ever typed, World Peace was suspended for elbowing Oklahoma City Thunder guard James Harden in the head at the end of the regular season.
Somewhere, beauty queens are crying over World Peace being suspended.
So, what should fans expect from the chaotic NBA star formerly known as Ron Artest when he appears on Punk’d?
As you can see in MTV’s full-lenth preview, this is a typical prank for the show, but World Peace has no idea what is going on. The setup for the gag is that the star is leaving a charity function of some sort before getting Punk’d.
In retrospect, that sounds awful. Instead of being applauded for charity work, he gets his afternoon ruined.
No wonder people don’t help anyone anymore!
The prank looks so funny because of all the people trying to get pictures, so I will surely be watching. This is the definition of can’t miss TV.
Poor Metta World Piece.
Wait, World Peace is rich, no sympathy for him!
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2012 NBA Playoffs: Can Anybody Stop the Miami Heat from a Championship Now?
Whether or not you are a fan of the Miami Heat, there is no denying that they are talented and have the skill to win the NBA Championship.
While they may have skill, there are some inconvenient things that teams have to go through to win the finals.
It’s called competition.
It has been quite the spectacle to watch teams in the playoffs this year. If nothing else, this year has shown some of the most even matchups in a while.
Everybody thought the Heat would have an even tougher time advancing to the finals this year. The Bulls were prime for a deep run into the playoffs, and the Heat did not want to face them in the Eastern Conference Championship.
Well, two injuries and three straight losses later, Chicago’s playoff hopes pretty much crashed and burned. With it went the best chance for anyone to beat the Heat.
Thunder and Spurs fans are probably screaming at their computer screens right now. Let me explain.
The Heat have great offensive and defensive skill. In points per game and points allowed, they rank in the Top 10. I’m not going to go through their individual playmakers, because they honestly have too many.
All their players form a nice balance of offense and defense, which is really all you could ask for from a team in the playoffs. They have performed exceptionally in the first round, and look like the favorite from the East.
The Celtics look good, but nothing from last year’s playoffs hints that they could win. The same thing in 2011 happened in 2012. The Celtics looked dominant over the Heat in the regular season, but were cleaned up in the semifinals. I would think that the same thing will happen again.
The Pacers have good depth, but no real standout star. They have great players like Roy Hibbert and Danny Granger, but neither are superstars. Same goes for the 76ers.
I said it before, and I will say it again. The Bulls had the best chance of beating the Heat before injuries struck. They had a great defense and had phenomenal offensive talent, coupled with a good bench. If anyone was going to beat the Heat, it was them.
But that is old news. The Bulls find themselves facing first-round elimination, and will probably lose tonight. If they don’t tonight, they will eventually. The injuries were just too devastating. Even if they did eventually win, it wouldn’t matter much because their best player is out.
This moves us into the Western Conference, where the two supposedly best teams are the Spurs and the Thunder. If anyone else has a chance, it is these two.
But the more you look at it, the more questionable that becomes.
The regular season Heat vs. Thunder matchups were split, so that doesn’t provide us much guidance. We have to go by experience and skill comparisons. The Heat win both these battles. It also doesn’t help that the Thunder finished in the bottom half of points allowed.
Now the Spurs are where I see the strongest argument. They have the experience and the skill. Surely they would give Miami a run for their money, right?
Well, not exactly.
The Spurs are talented and match up well with the Heat, I get that. But they still have weaknesses that can be exploited.
They showed some last year in the first round versus Memphis. If a team plays aggressive, tough, defensive ball against them, their efficiency starts to go way down. The Heat have amped up their defense over the course of the season, which does not bode well for the Spurs.
If things go like this the rest of the way, Miami should have no problem winning the championship. They were the second best team in the league, and are currently the first.
Before you rush to the comments to bash me, keep in mind that I am not a Heat fan.
The Grizzlies are my team, though they seem to be having trouble right now. Honestly, they were the other team that could beat the Heat, but they can’t close out games if their lives depended on it.
But I digress.
Now of course, games aren’t won on paper. Anything can happen in the playoffs. But as of now, it seems like Miami can’t be stopped from a championship.
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LSU brings in 6-8 transfer Godfrey from Iowa State (Yahoo! Sports)
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) Former Iowa State forward Calvin Godfrey is headed to LSU, the third player signed by new Tigers coach Johnny Jones.
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Clippers’ Butler returns from hand injury
No one thought Caron Butler would play again during the first round of the NBA playoffs.
Butler broke a bone in his left hand during Game 1 of the series between the Clippers and the Grizzlies. Shortly after, the Clippers issued a release saying Butler would miss the next four weeks at a minimum.
But Saturday morning before the Clippers’ 87-86 win over Memphis, Butler was on the court sinking jumper after jumper, and when it came time for the starting lineups to be announced, Butler heard his name called.
Playing with a pad on the outside of his left hand and a brace over his pinky finger, Butler played 22 unremarkable minutes.
But more than his four points or three rebounds, Butler served as an inspiration to his teammates.
“It would have been so easy for (Butler) to say, ‘I’m done, and I’m going to take care of my hand. I’ll be ready for next year,’” Clippers guard Chris Paul said. “That’s one thing (Vinny Del Negro) said, if he can fight with one broken hand, what can the rest of us do?”
NOTES, QUOTES
Free-throw woes nearly cost Clippers
–Poor free-throw shooting has cost the Clippers a number of games this season, and Saturday, they were lucky it didn’t cost them the lead in their series with the Grizzlies.
The Clippers made just 43.3 percent of their free throws (13-30) while Memphis hit 30 of 39 from the stripe in the Clippers’ 87-86 win in Game 3.
The poor shooting from the line was magnified in the final 13 seconds of the game, when the Clippers missed five free throws, including three by Eric Bledsoe, opening the door for Memphis.
Rudy Gay closed the gap twice, hitting two contested 3-point shots late, getting the Grizzlies within one before Bledsoe missed a pair from the line.
Gay couldn’t complete the late comeback, as his game-winner rolled out as time expired.
“You could definitely say I was relieved,” Bledsoe said.
–Clippers fans were given red t-shirts on their way into Staples Arena that read “Clipper Nation All In.” Saturday was the first playoff game the Clippers have hosted since 2006.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “The main key wasn’t on the stat sheet. We just continued to fight.” — Clippers G Randy Foye, on the team’s resolve Saturday against the Grizzlies.
ROSTER REPORT PLAYER NOTES:
–F Blake Griffin battled with Memphis F Zach Randolph on every trip to the block while the two were in the game together. Griffin made just three of nine shots from the foul line, but he still managed to score 17 points in the Clippers’ win.
–F Reggie Evans talked about the Clippers getting “punked” in Game 2 Friday at practice, and Saturday, he made sure it didn’t happen twice. In just 24 minutes, Evans grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds to go with a pair of steals and four points.
–G Randy Foye made four of his five shots from beyond the 3-point line Saturday. Foye scored 16 points, including a trey to tie the game late in the fourth quarter.
–G Chris Paul turned the ball over five times, but otherwise, he was incredibly efficient on the offensive end. Paul led the Clippers with 29 points on only 17 shots.
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2012 NBA Playoffs: Sixers Need Steady Play from Hawes, Allen to Win Series
The Philadelphia 76ers may be a young team learning how to win in the postseason, but head coach Doug Collins has to be proud with the way his club has played together in its three wins so far.
When the Sixers are able to get steady performances from center Spencer Hawes and power forward/center Lavoy Allen, they are even tougher to defeat.
The 76ers defeated the Chicago Bulls 89-82 Sunday afternoon to take a 3-1 series lead into Game 5, which will be played in Chicago.
The Bulls lost point guard Derrick Rose to a torn ACL in Game 1 of the series and played without starting center Joakim Noah during Sunday’s loss due to a sprained ankle, making things very difficult for the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference.
However, the young 76ers have been able to take advantage of the situation and will now have task of trying to close out the series with a win on the road.
The 76ers have been getting great play from different players on a nightly basis. In Game 1 veteran forward Elton Brand (19 points) and point guard Jrue Holiday (16 points) led the way in a losing effort.
In Game 2 the 76ers had six players (Brand, Andre Iguodala, Holiday, Allen, Louis Williams and Evan Turner) score in double figures, with Holiday leading the way with 26 points. Rookie Lavoy Allen put up an impressive effort by scoring 11 points and grabbing nine rebounds in 26 minutes of playing time.
In Game 3 center Spencer Hawes stepped up and made his presence felt in the frontcourt, scoring 21 points and grabbing nine rebounds. Hawes struggled in Game 2 scoring the basketball and Allen picked up the slack. The 76ers needed big play in the middle with Brand struggling in this game, and Hawes responded.
The play of Hawes and Allen is very important for the 76ers as it makes their shooters on the perimeter even more dangerous. Defenses will have to choose whether to double-team and leave a player out on the three-point line or to guard the perimeter closely, leaving the interior uncovered.
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