Some have said that Artest's actions are justifiable because Artest was not willing to "take any sh*t?" Well he does not get paid millions to play in a vacuum. He gets (or was) paid millions with the understanding that people pay big $$$ to at times say unfortunate things and at times hurl beverages at players. His obligation is to not retaliate nor provoke the crowd and most importantly, do not ever go into the stands. As for going on to the floor, so what? Neither of the two guys threw a punch, threw a beer, nothing. Never even threatened Artest. Yet you condemn them to endure sucker punches and bodily injury without any compensation? That is not America, that is not the rule of law and they are entitled to be compensated. After all is said and done now, what exactly have Artest, Jackson and O'Neal suffered exactly? Did Artest lose face because he got a beverage thrown at him? Is that such an indignity that it warrants pumelling someone? Oh he just held someone down? Well, we as a people do not allow anyone to assault someone, especially the wrong person, simply because you suspect that he was the perpatrator? If you lay your hands on someone you better be damn sure you have the right person. Yes the fan behavior was reprehensible but it did not warrant physical violence, and that was started by the players.
If someone would threw beer in my face, I would knock da drunk fool down 4 sure!!! I don't think that self defence and respect is a crime.
I think the Detroit fans should get penalized some. Whoever was throwing stuff should get fined for the cleanup and donate their tickets (if season ticket holders) to charity.
I watched the Tape on Tivo .... got the slow mo on who hit who etc. i think Stern is justified in the penalties he administered. What Artest, JAckson did in the stands was embarrassing. O'neal running up and slamming that one guy, man if he doesnt slip that guy needs a ned jaw. Why didn't Rasheed Wallace get any suspensions.... he was up in the crowd. Chauncy Billups and Reggie Miller and a few others got suspensions for leaving the bench. Clearly Rasheed left the bench Did anyone notice it was only the thug type players that were involved? Where was Austin Croshere? Where was Taychaun Prince? where was DArko ? Somehow i don't see Dirk Nowitzki running up in the stands throwing blows.
I do like how Stern reacted to this accident, and frankly this was long overdue. First, there is no way what Artest did was a self defense. In order for Artest's action to qualify as a self defense, not only the fan needs to throw a dangerous object, Artest needs to attack the fan, while the fan was in the motion to throw it. Simply, Artest was hit by a plastic cup of sprite, and he assulted the fan, who may not the one who threw the cup to begin with! Second, I completely agree with philsmith regarding on the relationship between fans and players. I read many people comparing this incident as some stranger coming to your work place and threw something at you. Problem with this logic is that fans are not normal stranger. Nobody pay streetball players millions of dollars. NBA is entertainment, and players are paid entertain fans by putting up a show and win a basketball with their skills. So, each fans are shareholders for NBA. By getting paid millions of dollars, pro players also have an obligation to not to retaliate even if things gets tougher. Each games are stockholder meeting and if an employer plummed stockholders, the boss needs to hand a severe punishment to that employer to demonstrate that shareholders are important for the company. If Artest wanted his 'respect', he should have forfeitted the contract and go back to his home, where he will get all kinds of respect. If not, he should understand why he gets tons of money to play basketball and follow the rule. Third, Artest seriously endangered entire Pacers team by assulting the fan and started the riot. What if entire Detroit fans got angry at him and came down to the court, which could easily happen at that night? Do you think Artest could handle 20,000 people? Pacers were lucky that things didn't totally went out of the hand this time, and that's why Stern's harsh punishment was necessary to prevent future disaster like this. Artest lost his temper and he will pay dearly, both for himself and Pacers. Hope this type of incident doesn't happen again...
rasheed wasnt on the bench he was on the floor...the other guys got it for leaving the bench and/or hitting people. i'm glad he wasnt fined...he shouldnt of been...he did good.
The white boy was scared of getting hit. Thats why Darko was no where to be seen. No just kidding. It was wise of him not to get involved in the fight. More people should have gotten penalties. Like said before Rasheed was in the crowd. David Stern cant deny that so i think he also should have got some kind of penalty. By the way why are we talking about this in the Warriors department. Shouldnt this be in the NBA part of the site???
It's fun to discuss some matters with Warriors fans, instead of 'strangers' Although, it's not like this is only for Warriors fans by any stretch of imagination. Well, if Wallace didn't get a punishment, I am sure there is a good reason for that. It's not like Wallace is anywhere near on Stern's favorite players list anyway...
Rasheed was the peacemaker as was Fred Jones so neither got suspended. They were also on the court when game was still being played.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting hipokrat_x(LV):</div><div class="quote_post">If someone would threw beer in my face, I would knock da drunk fool down 4 sure!!! I don't think that self defence and respect is a crime.</div> Self defense to what? A beer to the face? Go ahead, throw another beer in the guy's face. Do not run ten or twenty rows up and incite the crowd. Remember, a player and a fan are not the same. Nor is Artest the same as you and I.
Another thing that's relevant is that he wasn't even entirely sure who it was who threw it. Instead, he was beating on random fans, like some kind of bar brawl.
I know what the Commisioner is trying to do but I still don't think Artest should have been suspended for the rest of the season. Why didn't Stephon Jackson get the same penalty? Artest had motive to go in the stands (I'm not condoning his actions) but Jackson went in the stands for the sole purpose to fight. Artest got the heavy fine because of his reputation.
I Think that you can't just blame Artest and Wallace.The Fans in Detroit are also part to blame.the whole thing got out of hand,and Artest got the majority of the blame for it..however you all look at this...blaming one person isn't really fair.if were going to do so,than everybody should be held accountable for what happened. As far as The suspensions go...Stern was trying to do his job and i give him credit for it..however i think maybe..perhaps Artest should have gotten a lesser sentence,but he didn't,so that's the way it is,and that's that. Either way i suspect the NBA will start to tighten up on fights from now on.
Whatever the thoughts, the fact is that Stern has broad powers to impose whatever punishment is fit, in his discretion, to protect the integrity of the game and unless he is shown to have a bias, his punishment will be upheld.
bummer... I guess Zhone has the most to lose from this in the fantasy league I've only got Jermaine O'neil.
Yeah, I had Artest in a lot of my leagues. I knew I was taking a chance, though. Jackson was kind of a surprise, though.
