Metta World Peace A No-Show On "Conan" After NBA Suspension

Lakers F Metta World Peace was scheduled to appear on TBS’ “Conan” last night, but host Conan O’Brien said World Peace cancelled after being suspended by the NBA for seven games following his elbow to Thunder F James Harden Sunday. O’Brien said, “As anyone will tell you from the Middle East, world peace is harder to get a hold of than you would think.” He noted World Peace “is in a lot of trouble because it’s not hockey.” O’Brien: “You’re not allowed to do that. Hockey, that’s encouraged. He’d have a Stanley Cup if this was hockey.”

Actor Simon Helberg, a replacement for World Peace, said he was at Sunday’s Thunder-Lakers game, and noted of World Peace’s explanation that he didn’t see Harden before elbowing him: “If that’s the case, then I think he was doing a New Kids On the Block dance” (“Conan,” TBS, 4/24).