Metta World Peace suspension splits the pundits (Web links)

--The Times’ Mike Bresnahan reports that Metta World Peace and James Harden were interviewed by the league office before handing World Peace a seven-game suspension for his elbow Sunday on Harden.

--The Times’ Bill Plaschke argues that the Lakers and World Peace were lucky the suspension wasn’t more severe.

--Fox Sports’ Greg Couch paints World Peace’s suspension in nuanced terms. His punishment should’ve been more severe, but World Peace isn’t suddenly the old Ron Artest.

--The Orange County Register’s Kevin Ding argues that sports fans can’t have it both ways regarding World Peace’s aggression.

--Sports Illustrated’s Lee Jenkins believes World Peace lost control at the worst possible time.

--Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix blasts the NBA for not handing down a more severe punishment to World Peace.

--The Orange County Register’s Jeff Miller believes the Lakers need a team effort to absorb World Peace’s absence.

--ESPN Los Angeles’ Ramona Shelburne believes the NBA made a measured decision with its punishment and credited World Peace for his charitable efforts.

--The Daily News’ Elliott Teaford details World Peace’s suspension.

--Yahoo! Sports Dan Wetzel explains how World Peace’s competitiveness is his biggest strength but also his biggest weakness.

--Silver Screen and Roll’s C.A. Clark believes the punishment was fair.

--Forum Blue and Gold’s Darius Soriano is tired of all the talk regarding World Peace’s suspension.

Tweet of the Day: “Thanks for the invite Conan O’Brien. Today was not good timing for me to do your show.... I wanted to do comedy but not much is funny now..” -- MettaWorldPeace (Lakers forward Metta World Peace)

Rick Friedman Reader Comment of the Day: “Looks like my Lakers dodged a bullit. If things break their way, they will limp into the second round with the full team intact. Could have been a lot worse. After seeing the replay, I thought he may lose half of next season or more. Hope Metta can get it together during the rest of his career.” -- JimE46