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Metta World Peace Nearly Got Booed Out Of The Building Last Night

It was never going to be a warm welcome — we knew this. That being said, the fans in Oklahoma City really let Metta World Peace have it during the introductions. Was it because he elbowed James Harden in the head? Or was it that he said Harden “flopped” on that play?

World Peace hasn’t shown a ton of remorse for the flagrant foul that got him suspended for seven games. People have been giving the Queensbridge native a hard time for saying he wouldn’t shake Harden’s hand before the game — or even approach him in any way — and for good reason: that’s a dick thing to say. But is it as dick as saying Harden, who unexpectedly took a brutal elbow directly to the head, flopped? That’s what Craig Sager told us before tip-off:

That’s pretty dick-y. So if this brutal OKC welcome during the starting line-ups wasn’t warranted before (and, of course, it was), it certainly is now:

Now, the Thunder are doing the talking with their outstanding play: at halftime, they were up 59-44. We’ll see if the crowd’s energy — and the team’s outrageous talent, skill and athleticism — can continue to carry them to a Game 1 win.