newjerseynewsroom.com

BY BOB HOLT

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

Magic Johnson called the elbow a “cheap shot.” Others are saying that the former Ron Artest should be suspended for the remainder of the regular season and the playoffs, while some believe he should face charges.

USA Today reported that Metta World Peace, more widely known as Ron Artest of the Los Angeles Lakers, threw an elbow into the back of the head of Oklahoma City's James Harden, and was ejected in the second quarter. Harden received a concussion from the move.

ESPN reminds us that Artest/Peace went into the stands and fought with fans late in a game against the Detroit Pistons in November 2004, when he was playing for the Indiana Pacers. But Artest/Peace seemed to have made great strides in rehabilitating his image since then.

Metta World Peace has supported mental-health awareness, auctioned off his championship ring and donated portions of his salary to worthy causes.

“Our kids have got to be stable, whether it is in situations of getting abuse, parental situations…lack-of-confidence situations,” Artest said in December 2010, according to the National Post. “We need our kids to be mentally strong.”

Sandi Gibbons, spokeswoman for the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office, said it was still possible that World Peace could be charged for the elbow, but it was not likely. Senior assistant district attorney of Cobb County, Georgia said to FoxNews.com that a complaint being filed by Harden could possibly bring charges.

She said, “It's about intent more than anything else.”

World Peace did apologize, calling the elbow unintentional, and a celebration after he had just dunked. World Peace said, “I got real emotional, real excited. I apologize to the Thunder and to James Harden. It was unfortunate so much emotion was going on at that time.”