<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Ron Artest returned to practice Monday. So did all the cameras. The Indiana Pacers forward worked out with his teammates for the first time since Nov. 18, the day before a brawl at the Palace of Auburn Hills in suburban Detroit resulted in his season-long suspension. A full contingent of local and national media members was on hand to record the moment on the Conseco Fieldhouse practice court, although word had been put out that Artest would not be available for interviews.</div> Source
The Pacers are slowly getting on track and closing in on a top 4 seed. If the season ends with the Pacers and Pistons finishing 4 and 5 in the East, do you think the league cash's in on the ratings by allowing Artest back for the playoffs?
^If they are smart they would. The amount of money they can make is too much to ignore. Add in the fact that the Pacers can make it far into the playoffs and possibly into the finals as well. The amount of media coverage will rival the OJ trial! Okay maybe not, but somewhere close to that. Bring Artest back for the sake of basketball!!
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting CourtVision:</div><div class="quote_post">Bring Artest back for the sake of basketball!! </div> I don't see Stern cutting down the suspension, not after the arbitrator ruled it was justified. That would be like vetoing himself. Plus, what message does that send? "What you did was very, very bad... but you can come back for the highest-profile, most-rewarding part of the year." And true, it may help the ratings for the NBA, but I wouldn't think it would help the Pacers. As you pointed out, if Artest comes back just for the playoffs the media would be going nuts, which would create a circus-like atmosphere for the Pacers. You can't keep focused on the game when every question at practice is about Ron Artest. Not to mention by that time the Pacers would have gotten used to playing without him and trying to cram him back into the lineup when they have to keep focused with the task at hand would really do more harm than good. IF Stern cuts the suspension down a few games, he has to do it before the playoffs or else he's be really hurting the Pacers.
I thought that Artest can play in the playoffs. But the few games Artest did play he could have become the MVP. He was just doing it all and was having a great year. I was really scared of the Pacers this season. I thougt they would not only eliminate the Knicks but they might even win it all. Now that Artest a key puzzle piece is gone, it doesn't look as good as it should have been. I actually think Stern went too hard on Artest. But anyway, what's done is done. I prtty sure if Artest could turn back the hands of time, he would.
