Posted on 11/20/2004 11:43:57 AM PST by Dan from Michigan
The NBA commissioner will talk tough and nothing will be done, just like every other ugly brawl involving fans. Commissioner Stern will also sweet-talk/bribe the local govt. so that they won't prosecute the players who went into the stands and started punching fans.
Any fan that throws objects should be punished but one drunk tossing a nearly empty cup doesn't warrant a bunch of thugs slinging fists.
You missed the point. Every sports media type, player, coach, etc. has come down on the side of the players.
The NBA did the right thing in suspending them but even they did not condemn the actions.
wow.....that Artest fellow is a nut....he should be canned at least for the season.
Now....that Zulu Warrior looking Wallace is one big bad looking dude.
They should let him and Artest go at it one on one but I doubt Artest woulda wanted any of that...lol....I sure wouldn't.
Artest got a glancing sucker punch off on some peckerwood on the floor...cheap shot...so typical.
I don't think the NBA can be cleaned up personally.
*and yes, the fans were outta line too.
The NBA like Rock music had it's glory days in the late 60s to mid 70s...without Jordan, it would have degenerated to what it is before this.
Lots of conflicting stories. I thought the guy in the suit jumped the one who slipped after fighting with Artest. The second guy was standing there but looked to be trying to defend his buddy when O'Neil suckered him.
O'Neil punched a fan off camera.
I really expect penalties will be more severe than your recommendations.
Yep, going into the stands put their credibility right into the dumper. The cries of self-defense rings pretty hollow when they jumped into the stands and started going after fans.
fans are fans and can be arrested players have to be held to a higher standard..ban them 1 year
Artest is not that dumb!
It was the guy on the left in the Shootaround studio.
NBA - Beyond Thunder Dome.
I agree. Ban the players one year. Ban the fans involved one year from attending any NBA game. Not to say the fans are more or equally responsible, but those types don't need to be there to begin with. Then let the criminal charges fall where they may.
Not if I was on the jury.... You start throwing full beer cups at big guys full of adrenaline in the middle of a brawl, you're gonna get your lights punched out. That's just fair fight rules.
I guess if a player goes into the stands to punch a fan, the police might charge the player with assault.
Where was armed security, during the prolonged incident?
Did police arrest anybody?
You throw full beer cups at someone, you deserve to get your butt kicked.
I'm surprised he's changing his tune. He's always hated the Pistons.
There were two guys in shiney brown suits........LOL.....the guy who hit the second guy was on the floor right before O'Neal came flying in to coldcock the second guy -- at least that's what I saw!
Right! I was watching Penn State/ Michigan State and the announcer mentioned the fight and how the fans were just as guilty. how many fans were elbowed pushed punched or trampled because Artest decided to beat up a little nerd, who didn't even throw the damn cup anyway. These players are lucky the whole stands didn't empty into a riot and kill them all. If my kid or wife got pushed or shoved due to a player doing that crap I would also be out on the floor taking him on.
I didn't see it. Was the foul called?
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