Robert Parrish of the Boston Celtics came within inches of destroying Laimbeer's face during a playoff game. The Chief (as Parrish was called) got tired of Laimbeer's cheap shots and unleashed on him. He snapped Laimbeer's head back and tried to drop a hammer fist down but lucky for Laimbeer he missed.
Parrish was a martial artist in the off season. (Dope smoker and wife beater too but that was another issue)
I guess I should have excerpted more of this article, since many FReepers consider it a hardship to click on links.
The story deals with Ron Artest's animal abuse toward his dogs.