NBA suspends Artest for rest of season; eight players get shorter bans

Yahoo! News ^ | November 21, 2004 | CHRIS SHERIDAN

[kempo]

Shoving another player is not criminal, smacking a fan in the mouth with your fist is a criminal act. No comparison.

[SunkenCiv]

"Ron Artest was suspended for the rest of the season"... it's a step in the right direction.

[grellis]

BWAHAHAHAHAHA!

I really needed a new tagline!

[pctech]

I hope these suspensions are appeal-able. While Artest can be explosive, Ben Wallace and the Detroit fans are to blame for the whole thing. Artest was only defending himself as was the rest of the Pacers who got involved.

I'm tired of this "holier than thou" attitude by the rest of the Pacers who didn't get involved, the Detroit Pistons, the Detroit press, and the NBA. A man defends himself and gets tossed for the season or 25-30 games?? I don't think so.

[pctech]

The punishments are not enough. LIFETIME bans for Artest and O'Neal

Let me guess, you're a Piston's fan right? I couldn't disagree more with your assessment.

[ml/nj]

Look for the NBA to go the way of the NHL if this stands.

ML/NJ

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

Not enough. Artest should be banned from the NBA for life with forfeiture of any and all monies he may receive in compensation for any duties he has or will perform for the NBA. Stern should tell this POS that he does not want this kind of trash wearing an NBA logo. Now or ever.
If Stern really wanted to send a message he'd have delivered a message. As it is, Artest will be back on the gravy train next season and except for a mention from ESPN on Sports Center when he hits the floor for the first pre-season game, it'll all be forgotten.

[bamabound]

For the last few years it seems as if our societal morals were mirroring professional sports, especially the NBA. I hope and pray that this is another incident that shows how out of touch pro sports are. I cheered when Artest got axed for the season. They all should have, plus they ALL need to be arrested and prosecuted for assult.

Did you see what Ron Zook did to # 61 in the Fla- Fla St game. Zook took him out after he threw a cheap shot and I don't think he got back in. These folks must understand that there are consequences for behavior. Hire Ron Zook!

[ardara]

I am sure you would feel the same way if you were the guy Artest sucker-punched in the face.

[Gimme]

What would you recommend for the fan that tossed the drink?

[RtWngr]

At least they didn't rape anyone.

[af_vet_1981]

The NBA also has to ``redefine the bounds of acceptable conduct for fans attending our games and resolve to permanently exclude those who overstep those bounds,'' Stern said.

Permanently ?

He should have permanently banned each NBA player who attacked a fan. The DA should prosecute everyone on film who committed a crime.

[Baraonda]

>>I have no interest in basketball whatsoever.

Neither do I, nor do I let my children.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

Why didn't the police officers on duty go to the locker room and arrest those involved for assault & battery?

Because these guys are all 'Plaaayuhs'...you know, Def Gangsta Wannabes. With no cameras around, they'd have kicked the cops asses righteous. And the cops knew it.

[af_vet_1981]

Among the harshest non-drug-related penalties in NBA history was a one-year suspension of Latrell Sprewell -- later reduced to 68 games -- for choking Golden State Warriors coach P.J. Carlesimo at practice.

This coddling of Sprewell sent the wrong message. He should have been banned for life.

[pctech]

Sure would, but I wouldn't get punched cuz I'm not that kind of guy. I don't go around throwing beer on opposing players. If you ask me the guy deserved the punch he got. If you can't take it, don't mead it out!

[ardara]

Perhaps you should look at all the tapes.The victim I am refering to,wore a baseball cap and was not shown throwing beer.

[mcenedo]

He should have permanently banned each NBA player who attacked a fan. The DA should prosecute everyone on film who committed a crime.

Exactly!

[rightwingmichigander]

Michigan law requires that you do everything possible to avoid a fight. Unless someone is ontop of you punching you, you are breaking the law by going into the stands and punching someone. I got this from my father who was a police officer for 29 years. He said that what Artest did was a criminal act. He did not have the right to go into the stands and assault someone.
And to whoever else it was who compared Ben Wallace to Ron Artest and Kobe Bryant obviously doesn't know what went on during the rest of the game. Artest was allowed to do some crazy things by rookie referees. Ben Wallace is a class act. Yes, he took things too far and deserves his suspension, but don't compare him to an accused Rapist.

[Gimme]

hmm Evidently the folks that count don't agree with you.