You're right, fans are not responsible for what they do, only basketball players.
Look, if someone comes into the stands I'm GETTING AWAY. And I'm not throwing stuff at anyone, especially when I could hit innocent parties like personnel, coaches and security.
But EVERYONE next to the tunnel threw something. That says something, but I'm certain you'll blame Artest for it.
A mea culpa, they did say it was probably a plastic bottle.
But it was NOT a player who threa a damn chair. As Jermaine O 'Neal was leaving, the chair was thrown and there was another fight started that saw an old woman laying on the ground. The only player in the area was O'Neal, the rest of the gang were fans swarming O'Neal.
I guess that's HIS fault, as well, especially when he got hit in the face with a popcorn bucket and then doused with beer.
Not saying the fans that came on the court don't deserve to get whupped, but the whole thing escalated from actions ON the court, turning into mob mentality. Giving those that initiated the physical confrontations on the court a pass is bogus.
Cannot not imagine why anyone would throw away a ten dollar beer anyway.