HOWEVER, I have noticed a disturbing reluctance to say anything negative about this guy or the others involved. The major talk radio station's sports reporter (speaking on air as I was driving to my son's house) said that Artest has a "big heart" and the news reporter said he was almost "child-like" in his honesty.
As big a disgrace as this guy is, the media here is an even bigger one. I don't suppose that the Simon Mall money has something to do with it, do you? (The Simons own the Pacers.) It is discouraging how this guy is being treated like a victim, locally.
While I don't blame all of this on Artest, because the fans deserve a good share of the credit for this mess, he's had a history of problems with his temper, including multiple suspensions. He may be the nicest guy in the world off the court, but that doesn't change the fact he went WAY over the line Friday night. And for that, I blame the NBA for illicitly supporting this bad boy culture throughout the league.