Nuggets vs. Lakers Game 7: Metta World Peace Will Be Non-Factor in His Return
Metta World Peace will return from his suspension for elbowing Oklahoma City's James Harden, but don't expect him to have a huge impact in the Los Angeles Lakers' Game 7 battle with the Denver Nuggets.
NBA playoff series are like dramatic television mini-series. It's almost impossible to jump in on the final episode and grasp the intensity while comprehending the story. By missing Games 1-6, that is exactly what World Peace is faced with.
This series has had its momentum shifts and drama. From the Lakers' early dominance, to weird instances of fans trespassing on the court, and now the theme is the Nuggets' spirited push to force Game 7.
That's a lot for World Peace to be brought up to speed on. He is a player that thrives off emotion—we've obviously seen that can get the best of him at times—and I think it'll be difficult for him to get plugged in to this game.
The media and fans' attention will be squarely on him, as will the eyes of the officials.
It's only natural after being suspended for such a violent act. This extra attention is bad for Los Angeles and for World Peace. The Lakers need him to have the autonomy to play tough and impose his physicality over his opponent.
Fresh off a punishment for the elbow from hell, it isn't likely he'll get that freedom.
Emotions will be high in this game with so much at stake, and World Peace will find it hard to match the intensity without at least being called for ticky-tack fouls.
His low impact on the game doesn't mean the Lakers will lose—that has much more to do with Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol playing big—but it does mean World Peace will be watching the action in the fourth quarter.
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