Posted on 11/21/2004 8:30:36 AM PST by Stew Padasso
Artest To Get 30-Game Suspension For Brawl, Station Reports
WDIV-TV In Brawl Says 4 Players Suspended
POSTED: 10:24 am EST November 21, 2004 UPDATED: 11:17 am EST November 21, 2004
The National Basketball Association suspended four players involved in Friday night's fight at The Palace of Auburn Hills.
WDIV-TV in Detroit is reporting today that Ben Wallace of the Pistons and Ron Artest, Stephen Jackson and Jermaine O'Neal of the Pacers will be suspended for the following number of games:
Ron Artest -- 30 Games Stephen Jackson -- 20 Games Jermaine O'Neal -- 20 Games Ben Wallace -- 5 Games
The NBA is expected to formally announce the suspensions as early as today for their roles in the ugly brawl at the end of a Pacers-Pistons game.
Indiana's Ron Artest, Jermaine O'Neal and Stephen Jackson, and Detroit's Ben Wallace were suspended indefinitely by the NBA on Saturday.
League officials continue to examine videotapes of Friday's fight.
It all started in the final seconds when Wallace went in for a layup and was fouled hard from behind. Wallace then spun around and pushed an Indiana player in the face. The benches emptied and punches were thrown. Fans got involved by throwing popcorn, beer and even a chair.
"No one can condone the level of incitement and violence we all witnessed. Clearly, there's a need to institute measures and safeguards to improve the safety of players and fans alike, to ensure that an incident like this never occurs again," said G. William Hunter, executive director of the NBA players' association.
NBA Commissioner David Stern called the brawl "shocking, repulsive and inexcusable." The Oakland County prosecutors office is reviewing videotapes of the incident after police questioned witnesses. Authorities plan to talk to the players involved.
Police said Saturday about a half-dozen people have been treated for injuries after a fight between Detroit Piston fans and Indiana players.
Most were treated at the Pistons' home arena, while two went to a local hospital. Michigan police are talking to witnesses and reviewing videotape, and officers also plan to talk to the players involved.
An Auburn Hills deputy chief said police hope to present the case to prosecutors "before Thanksgiving." He said the Oakland County Prosecutors Office will then decide whether to file charges.
Meanwhile, on Saturday night the undermanned Indiana Pacers found themselves on the losing end of an 86-83 decision against the Orlando Magic on Saturday at Conseco Fieldhouse.
I agree. But, as the news of this spreads - if this turns out to be true - I assure you the "He-man, thuggery-apologist posse" will show up to explain why it was so "manly" to do what these criminals did... over a plastic cup.
They shouldnt have be banned more then 5 games, the fans should be the ones sitting in jail. The piston fans are a bunch of losers.
"What about criminal charges?"
Michigan State Police and Oakland County Sherrif are actively investigating/sorting this out. Oakland County Prosecutor has made comments reported on local radio/TV....I am certain there will be prosecutions, players and some fans. Civil suots against some players, too.
Not to excuse the fan for what he did, but honestly, when Artest went over and laid down on the Piston's stadium scorer's table, chilling out, he was ASKING for it.
What a stupid thing to do. Such inappropriate, childish behavior is the hallmark of a very deficient personality. I agree with another poster who stated he will end up killing someone someday. He is obviously incapable of understanding normal boundaries of behavior. Very scary.
"Artest attacked a man in the stands for no discernible reason, other than the man was yelling at him!"
What? A drunken angry mob developed around him and was incited by the Piston bench.
After reading the first 22 postings, yours is the first I agree with. I can't believe everyone thinks it's OK for a fan to throw beer at a player. Maybe the teams over-reacted, but throwing anything at a player should be a major crime.
If this fan goes unpunished, we can look forward to all kinds of horrible behavior by fans of all spectator sports.
The fan should be located and prosecuted big time!!!!!!!!
Yep. They are guilty of assault.
Criminal charges should be filed against anyone breaking the law, and the players should be held responsible for any civil lawsuits for their actions against innocent bystanders.
The picture of Artest standing there like a madman looking for someone else to hit was disgusting. I have to laugh when I see the replays -- these players are so brave when they charge the stands, but they have to be escorted out with bodyguards covering their hard heads. These NBA "stars" will never learn that all the money in the world cannot buy class.
I completely agree. That was a mob closing in on Artest from the Piston's bench and the left over drunken goons in the stands.
It's too bad beer makes so much money at these events. I would outlaw adult beverages at these games.
"Wallace really should have gotten a 2 game suspension, since his was a typical on-court altercation"
Sorry, but what *Wallace* did was clearly assault. He could have broke Artest's neck. Then he went on to incite the left over idiots who snuck down from the cheap seats.
Yeah, I've seen them on teevee. And we should be very satisfied that Americans are still shocked at this type of behavior. Let's all pray we NEVER become immune to it. And like lots of other things prefaced with "euro," Americans don't like it and don't want it.
ok, they can stop selling at the begining of halftime... they can make up for it by raising ticket prices
Those who went into the stands after the fans should be suspended for the year without pay.
Sorry, Pacers. You hired the thugs.
They should at least pull alcohol sales after half-time. Most ppl won't have a problem with that.
I just saw the video clip. What kind of losers throw their drinks at players? They all should be disciplined.
Don't allow visibly drunk people into the games. Or set a two drink max,etc. I find a lot of these episodes are alcohol fueled.
Yeah you're right but the only reason why a lot of people are acting outraged at this is because they don't like basketball.
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