Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Anytime Metta World Peace steps foot on the court in Auburn Hills, Michigan, bad images come to mind. No need to rehash the infamous incident known as the Malice in the Palace. We all know what happened and how much the man then named Ron Artest has changed since.

So with the Lake Show in Detroit yesterday the last thing any of us needed was another incident to occur that would beckon the Malice ghosts from their graves. Unfortunately near the end of the first half a brief dust up between Metta and Pistons point guard Brandon Knight sent a momentary shockwave through the hoops universe only because of the natural connections between the Lakers forward and the court on which the game occurred.

Nothing of consequence happened other than your typical NBA trash talk and tough guy posturing. At least that’s how it appeared. According to Knight there was more to the confrontation.

The officials hit Metta with a flagrant foul once he and Knight became tangled during a free throw taken by Greg Monroe. It looked like nothing more than physical play that went a little too far – par for World Peace – but Knight says something more sinister occurred.

“The play needs to be reviewed because he definitely threw a punch. It felt like he threw a punch. That’s why I reacted the way I did. The play was over and he grabbed me around the neck. If someone grabs you around the neck, you’re not just going to let that happen. You do what you need to get that person off you.”

If I’m not mistaken the league does indeed review all flagrant calls so this one will get some sort of oversight. For my money I saw nothing of the sort watching the broadcast. In fact I was surprised World Peace was hit with a flagrant.

Maybe there was more going on than I realized. Or perhaps Knight is just putting extras on it after a bitter defeat. Without question officials are on heightened alert whenever Metta is on the court doubly so in Auburn Hills. But if there is more to this the league office will take action. So until then it’s just Knight’s claim of a phantom punch and nothing more.

Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

How sideways has this season gone for the Lakers? Put it this way. Metta World Peace is suddenly the voice of reason and seems to be among the few people with the right perspective on the struggles of this team.

Last night the hoops world again overreacted to the Lakers victory over the lowly Cleveland Cavaliers. A twenty point victory ended a season worst six game skid and reignited talks of a turnaround.

Well, if you thought everyone in Lakerland was upbeat after last night then you clearly haven’t heard what Metta had to say of the Lakers’ first win of 2013.

“If I’m not mistaken, we’re supposed to beat this team. I don’t mean to disrespect Cleveland, but we were supposed to win. What do you want me to say? ‘Hey we played great tonight!’ Defense was great tonight? It’s supposed to be against five rookies learning how to play the game. They see Kobe and they’re just excited. They’re playing in Staples Center. They probably partied last night. “

But Metta’s postgame rant wasn’t limited to stating the very obvious. He also took the media to task for their low expectations of the Lake Show and all the Clippers flag waving they’ve been doing.

“I blame the media. Right now you have low expectations for us. And you all converted to Clippers fans. All you beat guys have Clippers badges and stuff now. You guys converted on us. That’s all right, though. We’ll be back.”

Whether or not Metta’s rant was more tongue in cheek than actual venom is something only he truly knows. Then again he might not even know himself. But that’s not the point.

The point is Metta is 100% correct in his views on last night’s victory. I’m of the belief that the win over the Cavs showed even more of the Lakers’ many flaws. They played sloppy hoops turning the ball over far too many times for a team with playoff aspirations. On the boards the Lakers narrowly edged Cleveland despite the return of Dwight Howard and the Cavs’ thin frontline. And at one point in the third this game got far too close for comfort showing the Lakers still lack focus coming out of the locker room at the half.

Now as for Metta’s opinions on the media taking up the Clipper cause…he’s on his own on that one. But hey, if that’s what it takes to get this team motivated then so be it. Let’s just not read anything into a win against a completely overmatched team.