Posted on 12/30/2004 4:16:16 PM PST by SmithL
NEW YORK - Indiana Pacers (news) forward Jermaine O'Neal (news) will not have to finish serving the remaining 10 games of his suspension, a federal judge ruled Thursday.
O'Neal was suspended 25 games for his role in a November 19 brawl during a game with the Detroit Pistons (news) at the Palace. But a temporary decision made last week by a U.S. District Judge allowed him to return to the court after his suspension was reduced 10 games by an arbitrator.
This latest ruling enforces that decision.
The NBA had contended that the arbitrator, Roger Kaplan, had no authority to listen to an appeal of league commissioner David Stern's suspensions of O'Neal and teammates Ron Artest (news), Stephen Jackson (news) and Anthony Johnson (news), and it was not happy about District Judge George B. Daniels' decision last week.
"While we disagree with the court's decision today and expect that ultimately Judge Daniels will find that the arbitrator had no authority in this matter, we will, of course, abide by the ruling of the court," NBA deputy commissioner Russ Granik said in a statement last Thursday.
Kaplan had reduced the penalty for what he called O'Neal's "character, community involvement and citizenship."
O'Neal has averaged more than 20 points and 10 rebounds in his three games back from suspension. The Pacers are 2-1 in those games, including a loss to the Pistons on Christmas Day in O'Neal's first game back.
The Pacers are in New Jersey for a game against the Nets Thursday night.
The now-infamous brawl started late in a seemingly calm game with Indiana in front by 15 points. Detroit's Ben Wallace (news) was fouled by Artest and the Pistons center took exception to what he deemed a hard foul and gave Artest a two- handed push to the face.
After that, the confrontation continued by the scorers' table as players came off both benches. The Detroit fans then lost all control and began throwing cups filled with liquid and ice at Artest, who was laying on top of the scorer's table. Artest was hit in the head with a flying cup and immediately raced into the stands where he started punching a man he thought was the culprit.
Jackson followed Artest into the crowd, as did several Pacer players. O'Neal became involved in a fight with fans on his way to the locker room, and was caught on video punching one man in the face.
Five members of the Pacers and several Detroit fans were criminally charged. O'Neal was charged with two counts of misdemeanor assault and battery, while Artest, David Harrison, Johnson and Jackson were all charged with one count of assault and battery.
Absolutely unbelievable...I just read that O'Neal's actions were ruled as "off-court" behavior...even though he was in uniform, the game clock was running, and the whole thing was televised for millions to see. He voluntarily left the court to fight a fan, so he gets off easier because of it! Incredible. Just when you think you've heard it all.
Just another example of an "activist" judge (and an abritrator) ignoring the rules and standards of civilized behavior and imposing their own watered down standards. It's also typical of these overpaid egomaniacs {atheletes (?)} who believe they are entiteled to act in any manner they choose and are not to be held responsible if this behavior produces negative results. If they don't like the rulings handed down by the associations leaders, they run to an activist judge and cry descrimination. Is it any wonder that children today see nothing wrong with rude and crude behavior?
Next the Federal Courts will rule if it is legal to take the money from the center of the board if you land on "Free Parking" while playing the game of Monopoly.
What?! It was ONE fan who threw a cup at Artest. The Detroit fans were under control until Artest ran into the crowd. The author of this article is clueless as to the events of the night.
Well anyone knows he can play. The question is, may he play?
WHY are these lawyer dirtbag "judges" sticking their snotty noses into a game?
They need to be impeached immediately and permanently removed from any and all offices or other govt paid positions.
They have NO RIGHT.
I keep saying, it's not so much the 'greens', it's not so much the Edwards and class-action, it's not so much the ACLU and Norman Lear and the rest. IT'S THE COURTS! These judges should be throwing half these nutcase appeals and suits out, and with stern language as to why.
The easier remedy would be for Congress to strip federal courts of jurisdiction in these types of cases. The easiest remedy would have been clearer language in the collective bargaining agreement between the owners and the players.
Absolute horse crap.
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