<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Ron Artest said Monday night that he hopes to be back in an Indiana Pacers uniform for the playoffs despite being suspended for the rest of the season for his role in a brawl with Detroit Pistons fans. "I have so much confidence in my squad and I have confidence I'll be back," Artest said on local radio station WHHH. "I'm out for the season, but I'm hoping to be back for the playoffs." The NBA Players' Association is appealing the suspensions.</div> I hope Artest can return to the playoffs. It's gonna be very disappointing if the Pistons are not going to be challenged in reaching the Finals (again).
I don't see Stern letting him play in the playoffs If they make It, I was under the impression he was suspended for the regular season and the post season. Otherwise Stern would of said Artest was suspended for the rest of the regular season and not for the season.
Artest was even taken off the ballot for All-Star voting, so it seems that he won't be able to be back for the playoffs anyways. Stern's out to get him no matter what.
I think Stern didnt make the wise decision. Its good that he gets suspended for let say 30 games for the whole season. Its too much. I think he went way across the line here. Im not saying what Artest did was right but the punishment was too harsh
Suspending someone for the rest of the season isn't going to help him...rather a shorter suspension and a requirement into a anger management program would've been better. But then again I've heard that he's been there 22 times already
