Posted on 11/20/2004 11:43:57 AM PST by Dan from Michigan
NBA indefinitely suspends Artest, O'Neal, Jackson, Wallace
November 20, 2004
NEW YORK (AP) -- The NBA suspended Ron Artest, Jermaine O'Neal and Stephen Jackson of Indiana and Ben Wallace of Detroit on Saturday for taking part in one of the ugliest brawls in U.S. sports history.
The suspensions were indefinite, and the league was still investigating Friday night's melee, which commissioner David Stern called ``shocking, repulsive and inexcusable -- a humiliation for everyone associated with the NBA.''
The league issued a statement saying it was reviewing rules and security procedures ``so that fans can continue to attend our games unthreatened by events such as the ones that occurred last night.''
They should be banned for life. just like the guy from the rangers should be banned for life for throwing the chair into the stands... These fools get paid way to much to throw temper tantrums like a little kid.
Lawsuits to follow.
Let's see how long it takes for the players' union to protest this.
Ron Artest can now start promoting his rap-album and not worry about missing any games.
Raw Data: Statement From NBA Commissioner
Saturday, November 20, 2004
The following is a statement from NBA commissioner David Stern concerning the altercation during the Detroit Pistons and Indiana Pacers game Friday night at the Palace of Auburn Hills.
"The events at last night's game were shocking, repulsive and inexcusable -- a humiliation for everyone associated with the NBA. This demonstrates why our players must not enter the stands whatever the provocation or poisonous behavior of people attending the games. Our investigation is ongoing and I expect it to be completed by tomorrow evening.
The NBA has taken the following actions, effective immediately:
1. Indiana players Ron Artest, Stephen Jackson and Jermaine O'Neal are suspended indefinitely, the length to be determined upon completion of the investigation.
2. Detroit player Ben Wallace is suspended indefinitely, the length to be determined upon completion of the investigation.
3. Review of rules and procedures relating to altercations and security have been undertaken so that fans can continue to attend our games unthreatened by events such as the ones that occurred last night."
Tough day in Michigan....(see MSU, UM, etc....)
Does this mean there's hope for the Celtics in the East? (ya riiight!)
This is a start. It's good that there is no time limit given.
Which comes first, the lawsuits or the arrests?
Artest, O'Neal and Jackson -- all of whom threw punches at fans during the fight at the end of Friday night's nationally televised Pacers-Pistons game -- were to begin serving their suspensions Saturday night, when the Pacers played a home game against Orlando.
Wallace's suspension will begin with the Pistons' next home game, Sunday night against the Charlotte Bobcats. Pistons spokesman Tom Wilson said Saturday the team plans to use ``playoff-level security'' starting with that game, doubling the number of armed police and increasing arena security by about 25 percent, though he couldn't say how many police and security that would be.
``Our investigation is ongoing, and I expect it to be completed by tomorrow evening,'' Stern said in his statement.
The brawl was shocking, with Artest and Jackson bolting into the stands near center court and throwing punches at fans after debris was thrown at the players. Later, fans who came onto the court were punched in the face by Artest and O'Neal.
Wallace began the fracas by delivering a hard two-handed shove to Artest after Wallace was fouled on a drive to the basket with 45.9 seconds remaining. After the melee broke out, the referees called off the remainder of the game.
``This demonstrates why our players must not enter the stands, whatever the provocation or poisonous behavior of people attending the games,'' Stern said.
Is there a link to a video of this incident?
So far, I have heard no one and have seen no quotes, of anyone associated with sports condemn the actions of the Artest, Jackson and O'Neal.
One of the four ESPN guys in the original coverage stated later that night that Artest was justified in attacking the fan!
No one from the SacBee or the Kings criticized the players actions.
What did Wallace do that matched the other three?
Thanks for reminding us. I had forgotten.
espn, 10 times an hour 240 times a day it seems.
It looks like we're going to play in the toilet bowl(none) this year. :( Unless things change REAL fast.
"They should be banned for life."
Jackson and Artest yes, but not Wallace and O'neal.
Wallace should get a 10 game suspension and O'neal should get a 20 game suspension.
Wallace didn't mix it up with any fans and O'neal never really punched anyone but he did go into the stands. Jackson and Artest's actions on the other hand were criminal, they should be arested and banned for life.
I am shocked and outraged that these players were indefinitely suspended. Given their horrible behavior, they should definitely have been suspended, in my opinion. This kind of indecision on the part of the NBA sends a terrible message to our . . .
What? "Indefinitely" means without determined limit? Never mind.
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