[usafsk]

I see that no one is interested in the fans being punished as well? I'm not going to defend Artest's actions, which were out of line, but this was not a case on unprovoked violence. The scumbag in the hat not only through the beer, but then steered Artest past him onto to his buddy, then punched him in the back of the head. Cap-boy is a coward and his actions were as bad as any of the players. Also, what of the big dude with the credentials around his neck rabbit punching as well. And what about the other dope who confronted Artest as he was leaving? He took two in the face and went down. Idiots all, including the players.

Shows what kind of goobers are attending your typical NBA game. Drunks watching thugs play a narcissitic brand of what used to be a great sport.

[admiralsn]

Any fan that they can determine that either threw something or got involved in the fight should pay the consequences. But they CAN'T be suspended by the NBA and they CAN'T have pay revoked, etc. It was ugly that the fan threw something to begin with, BUT Artest and the others should NEVER have gone into the stands to "defend themselves." They bear the brunt of the responsibility because of their stature.

[WildTurkey]

I see that no one is interested in the fans being punished as well?

Any fan that throws objects should be punished but one drunk tossing a nearly empty cup doesn't warrant a bunch of thugs slinging fists.

You missed the point. Every sports media type, player, coach, etc. has come down on the side of the players.

The NBA did the right thing in suspending them but even they did not condemn the actions.

[altura]

No! No! No!

No condemning of the fans. I would have paid $3 for a beer for the pleasure of pouring it on those idiots.

When you start condemning the fans at all you start to create a justification for what the players did.

There is NO justification. They are spoiled, mean idiots and it's getting worse.

[ml/nj]

I see that no one is interested in the fans being punished as well? I'm not going to defend Artest's actions, which were out of line

I have never thought much of most of the clowns in the NBA.

But ... that said, I think I'd award Artest and his teammate who coldcocked that schmuck who came out onto the floor the Presidential Medal of Freedom. In all of the replays I watched, the great security folks seemed to be restraining the players rather than the idiots who were attacking them.

Attacking them! The players have a right to defend themselves and other players they sense might be in danger. The yahoos who attacked, and/or moved onto the court at any time should be banned from future attendance at any sports event.

It would be a help to decent people who wish to attend these events.

ML/NJ