Oklahoma City Thunder's James Harden out with a Concussion

Oklahoma City Thunder’s James Harden out with a Concussion

James Harden takes a Smack to the Head from Metta World Peace

When James Harden from the Oklahoma City Thunder got elbowed in the head from Metta World Peace he had to leave the game with 1:39 left in the first half with a concussion. The game took place in the Staples Center (L.A. California) on April 22, 2012. The Lakers won the game 114-106 in double overtime without Metta World Peace (ejected). James Harden hasn’t gotten a real apology yet but Metta World Peace has apologized to the Thunder’s association.

World Peace said “It was bad timing for me.” Metta World Peace also says that the contact was unintentional and that he didn’t know that James Harden was right behind him.

Even though he says that it was unintentional Metta World Peace was suspended for seven games. He will miss the first couple of games of the playoffs and his presence will be missed by the lakers.

The NBA thought about Metta World Peace’s background when they were deciding how many games he would be suspended. In 2004 he was suspended for 86 games due to a fight with the fans. He can be known as a troublemaker in the NBA.  

The NBA has been very good at not allowing violence during games. They have suspended many people two of which are Metta World Peace and Jason Smith. On March 22, 2012 Jason Smith from the New Orlean Hornets was ejected from the game and suspended for 2 games. He was charged with a flagrant 2 foul after he bodied Blake Griffin (Los Angeles Clippers) at full speed. Griffin was okay and able to play on. Even with Blake Griffin the Clippers weren’t able to pull it off and lost 97-90. Blake Griffin has been through a lot. In the 2010-2011 season Andre Miller bodied him too.

Smith did apologize to Griffin, “I didn’t want to give him an easy layup, but there are a ton of other ways to go about it.”

James Harden is still not cleared from the concussion but he was able to fly back to Oklahoma City after the game Sunday night. He is going through the required steps with the NBA that you have to take after a concussion.

“We care more about James health than him beings on the court playing basketball for us.” says Kevin Durant one of Harden’s teammates as well as a close friend.

Maddie Muhlheim

Period 5

400 Words