No the players got the wrong guy in the fight, definitely one of the reasons they are going to get hit with charges. You can't argue self defense when you defend yourself by pummelling the wrong guy. Plus self defense doesn't hold up well when you were hit with a plastic cup, its kind of hard to say you thought you were in mortal danger, from what drowning in beer????? And if Artest was so upset about being disrespected and attacked, Wallaces two handed shove to his throat was much worse than the cup, why didn't he go after Ben Wallace to "defend" himself. Probably becuase he new Wallace would pummel him into the ground. Unfortunately everyone forgets but a lot of this began with the Eastern Conference Finals last year when Artest had a flagrent foul on Detroits Richard Hamilton by hitting him in the face (for which Hamilton was already wearing a mask because of a broken nose).
A lot of this could be solved if they treated on court fights like they do the ones in the stands.Purp walk both players out imediately and file assault charges.Watch how fast fighting stops.(has the added advantage of nullification of union appeals)