When Sacramento Kings guard Anthony Peeler traded blows with the Timberwolves' Kevin Garnett in Game 6 of the Western Conference semifinals on May 16, Peeler -- a Paseo standout and Mizzou shooting legend -- offered the T-wolves darling and NBA endorsement playboy an ego check. It was the best 20-second melee not on pay-per-view. While on defense, Peeler elbowed Garnett in the chest; the Kings took possession, and Garnett body-checked Peeler at the other end of the court. When the ball changed hands again, Peeler dropped back on D and waited, posting at the top of the key. When Garnett approached, the shorter Peeler jumped toward him, elbow-checking him across the face. Garnett took the bitch slap, and Peeler took a two-game suspension, but his Kings romped 104-87, pushing the series into another game. Who cares if the Kings lost Game 7? Peeler's streetball tactics exhibited a truth that seven-digit all-stars should remember: Playing for pride earns you something that a bloated contract can't buy -- fans' respect.
