It’s even more amazing when the thing that changes is the reigning defensive player of the year, and a two-time All-NBA third team member.
For Ron Artest Metta World Peace not much forgiveness was given—neither from the basketball gods nor the basketball fans themselves—after November 19, 2004 (Malice at the Palace).
Following the Malice at the Palace, the world watched as Metta World Peace’s career faced a steady decline and started to fall apart. And while it can be argued that World Peace had a solid three years in Sacramento after leaving the infamous brawl, he wasn’t really the same.
Fast forward eight years since the incident, and World Peace is so degenerated that it’s hard to believe that he was once an All-Star-worthy player. Averaging 7.7 points a game on the season, it seemed as if World Peace was actually living up to his name for once, even winning the Citizenship Award in 2011.
Well, until April 22nd, that is. Hitting James Harden with a ferocious elbow, World Peace was given a seven-game suspension (for now) by the league. Currently in effect, the Lakers will have to play five more games without their 12-year veteran.
When reviewing the elbow, the seven-game ban was actually quite generous, but nonetheless, the Lakers will have to fight their way through without one of their key cogs on defense. It’s well-known that World Peace can score the ball as well—a 26-point outing against San Antonio two weeks ago proves that.
However, World Peace’s value and importance to the Lakers truly starts on the defensive end, especially in one-on-one situations. Opposing players usually find themselves having a tough time trying to score against World Peace; the fact that he’s one of the strongest players in the NBA does nothing but make him more intimida...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
