Metta World Peace returning for Los Angeles Lakers after serving a 7 match suspension - NBA Playoff Update
As Game 7 of the series between the Denver Nuggets and the Los Angeles Lakers approaches, both teams will want to go into the game with every weapon at their disposal. Lakers, who had been woeful on defence in the Game 5 and 6 loss allowing the Nuggets to
score 225 points, would be happy to have the services available of their defensive specialist Metta World Peace back at their disposal.
Metta World Peace had been slapped with a 7 game ban by NBA Commissioner David Stern for elbowing James Harden in the head in the Lakers last meeting against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the regular season.
The suspension given to World Peace was acceptable punishment for his violent act that saw the Sixth Man of the Year miss out the next game with a concussion. So after a 20 day span of practice without the fruit of putting on a game jersey, Metta will look
to return strongly and do what he has got to do to help his team finally close out the series.
"(Saturday) is more about, kind of like all bets are off," World Peace said before practice on Friday. "All in. Whatever we have to do as a team. It's not about what I can and what I can't do. It's about really what I'm going to do."
Lakers, who were leading the series 3-1 just 4 days ago, now find themselves in a tough situation. They have to play Game 7 at the Staples Center, with the momentum on Denver’s side.
However with the return of World Peace, they are expected to put behind the last two performances and give it their all in Game 7. Team mate Kobe Bryant has spoken highly of Metta and the level of intensity he bring to games.
“My type of competitiveness and energy level is not something I expect every guy to have. That's not to say that they don't have it, it's just that Metta's intensity is similar to my own. It's as simple as that” – Bryant
Bryant also expects Metta to bring in his best efforts on the defensive end, the aspect which has been the significant factor in the Lakers loosing the last two games and bring out the extra effort which has been lacking from the team.
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