It’s going to take a while before Metta World Peace will fully repent for his vicious elbow Sunday on Oklahoma City guard James Harden.

After all, we’ve already seen World Peace (and Ron Artest) longingly rehab his image after the Palace Brawl, only to see some of it evaporate with his latest incident. However small, World Peace is taking the first small step toward trying to rebuild his reputation.

That first step involved sending out a statement that made no excuses for his behavior.

“I hope James Harden is OK. I apologize to the Oklahoma City Thunder fans and the OKC organization…I look forward to getting back on the floor with my teammates and competing for the Lakers and the Lakers fans.”

via Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Times