Whose to Blame in the Detroit brawl?

[Dan2330]

Artest out 30 games, Jackson and ONeill 20 games. Please don't stop at that, the following needs to happen:

1- Criminal Charges against Artest for battery (hit the wrong dude in the stands)

2- Criminal Charrges against any fan that was throwing punches on Indiana players in that maylay

3- Criminal Charges against those two fat bastards that went on the court and got into it with Artest

The NBA, Detroit Police, and Prosecutors have got to make a stance on this. Let the damn players and fans know if you mix it up it is going to cost more than just a suspension or slap on the hand. Simply put the players stay on the field/court and the fans stay in the stands. Those fans that were pouring and throwning stuff, go after them too- why the hell didn't security clear that area out before escorting those players threw that.

Is this just what Artest wanted anyways, he was looking for a month or so off, and he got it now...

[BengalszoneBilly]

Artest out 30 games, Jackson and ONeill 20 games. Please don't stop at that, the following needs to happen:

1- Criminal Charges against Artest for battery (hit the wrong dude in the stands)

2- Criminal Charrges against any fan that was throwing punches on Indiana players in that maylay

3- Criminal Charges against those two fat bastards that went on the court and got into it with Artest

The NBA, Detroit Police, and Prosecutors have got to make a stance on this. Let the damn players and fans know if you mix it up it is going to cost more than just a suspension or slap on the hand. Simply put the players stay on the field/court and the fans stay in the stands. Those fans that were pouring and throwning stuff, go after them too- why the hell didn't security clear that area out before escorting those players threw that.

Is this just what Artest wanted anyways, he was looking for a month or so off, and he got it now...

I think you jumped the gun on this post before allowing the commissioner to make it official. He just suspended Artest for the season! It will be many weeks before everything (legal issues and new NBA rules for players, and additional security in regards to abusive fans for example) has completely shaken out of the extremely bad situation!

[Dan2330]

Yea. My bad, first report out on AP Wire had it at 30 games- actually happy with the new results- if Indiana was smart they would drop that idiot...

[jditty47]

man are u serious? i agree 100% with what artest did same as o'neal...jackson though was a bit crazy. a season suspension is bulls**t and ur claim to press charges against him is retarded.

[BengalszoneBilly]

ur claim to press charges against him is retarded.

Why jditty? If you or I would have physically struck someone, they would have pressed charges on you, wouldn't they? They BETTER because I HAVE been arrested for that very thing! Brawling in a public place. (a freakin' bar, okay?)

Just because these guy's are overpaid basketball players shouldn't mean they get treated differently under the law than you or I! Also these players can't really claim they did it out of self defense from being struck with a paper cup with beer/soda/water in it at a public event!

Now from all the endless replays that I've seen, yes...the dumbass fan/fans started the melee by throwing the beverage, and yes again, that if he did that to me, I'D want to kick his ass! He deserves it, sure! The issue here is that the law still doesn't allow for it under those circumstances.

The worst thing here is that the first physical assault was was commited by a player, on a guy who as the film shows NEVER EVEN THREW THE DRINK! If the mistaken punching out of an innocent bystander doesn't warrant legal charges, then what on God's green earth does!?! Again...if it were you or I in the same situation instead of this NBA player...hello handcuffs, and hello county lockup until we see the judge on Monday! And possibly if bail is low enough, YOU may get out. I won't. I got priors, remember?

No wonder this guy already has a lawyer! This is easy pickings to get some big cash in a civil lawsuit, possibly from the NBA league, the Pacers organization, the Detroit organization, and especially each and every player who entered the stands.

Criminal Charges against those two fat bastards that went on the court and got into it with Artest

Did that guy look stupid trying to step up to Artest or what!?! Then after the initial exchange of punches, another player comes flying over and just cheap shots the hell outa this wanna be gang banger, sending all of them to the floor in a heap! Did that guy deserve it or what! And oh yeah...he too better be facing charges the same as the players!

[Kirkendall]

Who's to blame? The entire league for having cry-baby non-appreciated over-payed, over hyped, coming out of highschool, nothing to return to the community attitude. Personally, I'd hope all the players would be suspended for the entire season to show some credibility to the NBA that this won't be tolerated at ANY LEVEL; they failed at that as well.

Too bad you're going to see a TV-Mature box before each game on your TV because, frankly, if this is the future of the NBA; count me out.

Some of these guys need to get rid of their big-dick attitude and realize they are hurting the NBA as sir Charles, Magic, Bird, Jordan, have all admitted to be the current state of affairs in the NBA.

[Bobcat Bengal]

Who's to blame?  The entire league for having cry-baby non-appreciated over-payed, over hyped, coming out of highschool, nothing to return to the community attitude.  Personally, I'd hope all the players would be suspended for the entire season to show some credibility to the NBA that this won't be tolerated at ANY LEVEL; they failed at that as well.

Too bad you're going to see a TV-Mature box before each game on your TV because, frankly, if this is the future of the NBA; count me out.

Some of these guys need to get rid of their big-dick attitude and realize they are hurting the NBA as sir Charles, Magic, Bird, Jordan, have all admitted to be the current state of affairs in the NBA.

You act like the NBA can babysit and hold the hands of these GROWN ASS MEN.

This ain't high school or college, Kirk. That's about all they can do.

Blame the league for wanting to sign talented players, who cares if they're outta high school? Don't hate the game. s**t, Freddy Adu hasn't even GRADUATED yet.

And if you think they're overpaid, I think you need to take a look at Major League Baseball as well. Last time I checked, they have the highest salaries of ANY team sport, they usually come straight out of high school (who knows ANYTHING about a Baseball draft? Thought so.) and sometimes are signed to lucrative contracts in their farm systems. And I don't have to remind you of the 'bad boys' of Baseball...Rob Dibble, Albert Belle, Milton Bradley, the Kansas City incident, etc. You act like this is just ALL the workings of ther NBA here.

Its obvious you don't like the NBA, and your bias is practically bleeding through your post. (But to each his own)

C'mon now, suspend ALL the players for the entire season?

You're Sippin' on some Haterade buddy.

AND WHO THE f**k IS SIR CHARLES TO BE TALKING ABOUT THE STATE OF AFFAIRS? I love Sir Charles, but if he said that he's the most hypocritical a**h*** ever. He's not a role model, remember? He's been in numerous on and off court brawls, tossed some guy through a window once....get outta here.

[jamesbrooks21]

I like Ben Wallace don't get me wrong, but if he would have walked away like a grown man instead of reacting to a foul none of this would have ever happened. If Shaq acted like that every time he got fouled there would be a brawl every time the Heat played a game. C'mon Ben, Artest is a damn fool but you have to act like a grown man and walk away.

[skyline]

I used to love the NBA, but I just can't watch it anymore.

It's become too much about the glamour, and not enough about the game. I mean come on...half of the league couldn't hit a mid-range jumper if their life depended on it...want to know why? Because what's so glamorous about a mid-range game? Sure...it may make you a better player, but it certainly won't put you on posters or t.v. commercials.

It showed this year at the Olympics, didn't it?

[Kirkendall]

Its obvious you don't like the NBA, and your bias is practically bleeding through your post.

I used to be a Bulls homer because of Jordan. Loved it. Everything was about the game, not about reputation, or image, it was about winning. I used to live in Texas and my uncle had Rocket season tickets, and we used to head San Antonio to check out David Robinson (to this day my fav all-time player). I remember seeing Robinson and Ewing go at it a few times (my uncle loves the Knicks).

I've probably been to a total of 5-6 NBA arenas and at least 80 games. Believe what you want, my biased attitude now has everything to do with the decline of the game.

You act like the NBA can babysit and hold the hands of these GROWN ASS MEN.

This ain't high school or college, Kirk. That's about all they can do.

They may be "grown ass men", but they act like 12 year old school children.

And if you think they're overpaid, I think you need to take a look at Major League Baseball as well.

Never compared the NBA to MLB.

I'm similar with Sky in that I used to love the NBA. These guys were some of the best athletes professional sports could offer. The ability to do the things they do, wow! But it's not about the NBA anymore, it's not about the sport. It's about personal contributions for the greater good of a paycheck or self-respect; not winning or team chemistry.

[The_Next_Big_Thing]

Artest out 30 games, Jackson and ONeill 20 games. Please don't stop at that, the following needs to happen:

1- Criminal Charges against Artest for battery (hit the wrong dude in the stands)

2- Criminal Charrges against any fan that was throwing punches on Indiana players in that maylay

3- Criminal Charges against those two fat bastards that went on the court and got into it with Artest

The NBA, Detroit Police, and Prosecutors have got to make a stance on this. Let the damn players and fans know if you mix it up it is going to cost more than just a suspension or slap on the hand. Simply put the players stay on the field/court and the fans stay in the stands. Those fans that were pouring and throwning stuff, go after them too- why the hell didn't security clear that area out before escorting those players threw that.

Is this just what Artest wanted anyways, he was looking for a month or so off, and he got it now...

I hate to say it, but you aren't going to win pressing battery charges against someone who assaulted the man. Yes, Artest was assaulted by having things thrown at him before he committed the crime of battery. If you ask me, the FANS should be charged criminally, not the players.

[jditty47]

if the players are charged...none of the charges will stand up in court. Even jackson's punch was on a guy that just chucked a beer on artest....and billy watch again...all that guy hit DID somethign to deserve it.

[Kirkendall]

OK, so let me get this right. If someone in the stands throws a cup of beer at a player, that player's given a free pass to go up and start way-laying someone? I'm all for protecting yourself, etc., but at what point does a player realize that fan will be given a hefty fine and possible imprisonment? He will be punished. Sorry, the NBA is all hypocracy now. There's no legitamacy nor credibility.

Oh, and there was NO way Artest was threatened, or assaulted. How in the hell can a cup of beer assault a player? Drowning? IF a fan attacked Artest like those dope-heads out in KC on first base coach, Tom Gamboa, then yea, he should do what he has to do to protect himself. A cup of beer? Threatened by a cup of beer?

Artest should be expelled from the league and be allowed to appeal his "injustices" to the league at the end of each season. His past transgressions prove his instability and only casts a negative on the league of hyprocracy. The other two should be suspended for the season. Then again, the NBA isn't about respecting the game.

I'm not asking them to be role-models, but be a man, once, and just walk away, do the right thing. Nope. That would hurt the image too much.. ridiculous. Sports in general is getting a little ridiculous actually lately. Full moon or something....

Was a fan, players made me otherwise.

[jditty47]

first off, its the only sport without a barrier in the way to get to the fans. Football, there is a 6-10 foot wall they must climb to get to them, hocky glass enclosure, and baseball has a 5 foot wall as well. There is nothing to slow down a player in the nba. Reaction is reaction and what happened he reacted to. How isnt a plastic cup that is full of beer hitting someone in the face not assault? it is assault.

and lol at ur accusations only about basketball. Do you not remember albert belle? ya he respected the game. Football? William green? Ya he respects the game. Ricky Williams? ya..... nba isnt the only sport that has players that are unrulely.

I gaurantee that if a football player got a beer thrown on him and he knew who it was and could get to them, he'd beat the s**t out of them too.

[Kirkendall]

I'm not talking about MLB. I'm not talking about the NFL. I'm not talking about the NHL. I'm specifically talking about the NBA, what it was and what it is now. I'm talking about the attitudes of players today and the moronic excuse of having a beer hit you as an excuse to physically abuse someone. There's nothing similar between the two.

first off, its the only sport without a barrier in the way to get to the fans. Football, there is a 6-10 foot wall they must climb to get to them, hocky glass enclosure, and baseball has a 5 foot wall as well. There is nothing to slow down a player in the nba.

Perhaps now is time to look into putting one up to prevent this in the future. Too bad they'd have to go to these measures though...

I gaurantee that if a football player got a beer thrown on him and he knew who it was and could get to them, he'd beat the s**t out of them too.

Of 100 years in football, can you name an instance?

[BengalszoneBilly]

How isnt a plastic cup that is full of beer hitting someone in the face not assault? it is assault.

I dunno about that. I think we need an official ruling from our resident barrister, EdwardG.

How bout it Ed...is a cup full of beer thrown on you "assualt?" The worst crime I actually see here is nothing worse than alcohol abuse! If you need a retainer, for this, send the bill to whoever is wrong. Me if it IS assault, and jditty if it ain't!

jditty, what about the recent World Series celebration by the Red Soxs!?! Did you see all those "Cup-O-Beer" assaults going on in the winners locker room!?! I was SHOCKED! I thought these guys would be friends after winning the Series, but NOOO! There they were, assaulting the crap outa each other with beer! Why they seemed happy seems strange to me though...

[HoosierCat]

first off, its the only sport without a barrier in the way to get to the fans. Football, there is a 6-10 foot wall they must climb to get to them, hocky glass enclosure,

Someone finally mentioned hockey in this thread, and frankly I think that's what it's all about. The NHL is dead and buried, some sport has to take up the slack for brawling, right? And the NBA has been dying on the vine for years, they need more fan interest in a bad way.

This is a huge opportunity to remake the sport into a game for the 21st Century.

Let's put that big enclosure around the courts, pick a team full of fans from the stands before each game, give them unlimited beer and send 'em out to play No-Holds-Barred-Ball! NHBB -- sort of like Rollerball except without the skates and with drunks -- would be a huge hit. And you talk about giving a boost to women's basketball! Women's NHBB could be played on a mud court!

Oh, the possibilities!

[jditty47]

I'm not talking about MLB. I'm not talking about the NFL. I'm not talking about the NHL. I'm specifically talking about the NBA, what it was and what it is now. I'm talking about the attitudes of players today and the moronic excuse of having a beer hit you as an excuse to physically abuse someone. There's nothing similar between the two.

first off, its the only sport without a barrier in the way to get to the fans. Football, there is a 6-10 foot wall they must climb to get to them, hocky glass enclosure, and baseball has a 5 foot wall as well. There is nothing to slow down a player in the nba.

Perhaps now is time to look into putting one up to prevent this in the future. Too bad they'd have to go to these measures though...

I gaurantee that if a football player got a beer thrown on him and he knew who it was and could get to them, he'd beat the s**t out of them too.

Of 100 years in football, can you name an instance?

can u name one in the NBA? didnt think so. this a strange and the first instance of its kind. u cant compare it to anything else.

[San Antonio Bengal]

I like Ben Wallace don't get me wrong, but if he would have walked away like a grown man instead of reacting to a foul none of this would have ever happened.

Not claiming that either Wallace or Artest was in the right but, if Artest hadn't felt the need to pay back Wallace with that hard foul and would have finished up the game like a grown man, none of this would have happened.

There had been stuff going back and forth between Artest and Wallace the whole game. Instead of just letting it be, Artest chose to foul Wallace. Granted there are some hard fouls that are accidental, but I didn't see anything accidental in that replay. Even if it were accidental, you shouldn't even be giving a foul like that in a blowout game with only a few seconds left. In a situation like that (blowout, few seconds left), you relax and let the other team score, get the ball and run out the clock. That's the respectable thing to do, but Artest felt the need to get Wallace one last time before the game ended...

[jditty47]

LOL hard foul? that was a ticky tack foul and he barely touched him. U obviously didnt see it.

[San Antonio Bengal]

You can't be serious. It was a hard foul. I saw it when it happened and I saw it replayed a gazillon times. Besides me, there are plenty of sportswriters out there who think it was a hard foul as well. I guess your from the "no blood, no foul" school of thought, eh?

[BengalszoneBilly]

and billy watch again...all that guy hit DID some thign to deserve it.

I just did on ESPN jditty! They showed in slow motion how one fan/a**h*** who was wearing a white ball cap and a Ben Wallace team jersey threw the cup that hit Artest, who then jumped up and ran right past him and punched out this other poor dude who ESPN's film analysis proved without a doubt that he was an INNOCENT bystander who wasn't involved.

That's assault, that's a crime, and he SHOULD be arrested! He's no better than me! In fact he ain't even as GOOD as me because I've never been involved in another altercation since the one I was arrested in, (and believe me, I've had many opportunities, but there is NO WAY I'm getting arrested for that ever again!) while Artest has a long and detailed history of repeated violence against other players, coaches, and even from smackin' around his girlfriend!

That alone tells you all you need to know about his lack of moral character, and him actually being nothing more than a violent bully of a thug who just happens to be a talented basketball player!

At this point I really don't care if he's arrested, or wheather or not legal charges are actually filed. Hell, the fines from that would be MINISCULE compared to the money he and the Pacers are going to lose from all the lawsuits that are brewing right now!

The rest of the players involved will serve their suspensions, pay their fines and return to the NBA. I'm fine with that, but I hope Artests career is OVER, and he ends up broke, which will most likely happen after all the lawyers get finished with his stupid ass!

[Bobcat Bengal]

LOL hard foul? that was a ticky tack foul and he barely touched him. U obviously didnt see it.

you obviously didn't feel it.....or see it

It's f**king Ron Artest man, that nigga karate chopped him on the side of his neck.

Not only is Big Ben brolic, but he's good natured, and some ticky tack foul wouldn't have made him mush Artest in his face like that.

[Kirkendall]

Not only is Big Ben brolic, but he's good natured, and some ticky tack foul wouldn't have made him mush Artest in his face like that.

Yea, he's one of my favorite players to watch in the NBA.

[jditty47]

LOL hard foul?  that was a ticky tack foul and he barely touched him.  U obviously didnt see it.

you obviously didn't feel it.....or see it

It's f**king Ron Artest man, that nigga karate chopped him on the side of his neck.

Not only is Big Ben brolic, but he's good natured, and some ticky tack foul wouldn't have made him mush Artest in his face like that.

um, he hit him on the shoulder and it was ticky tack. big ben's body didnt move an inch so it obviously wasnt that hard. it was a foul that stopped 2 pts, anyone in the league does it. big ben is a punk for blowing it out of proportion. and btw, ben hit artest earlier in the game harder than that and nothing happened. wanna know why? u get 2 shots, stop with the shoving cuz u are a frustrated little girl.

and onto billy. Yes i now saw the replay but if u watch the gd thing, ron didnt throw a punch at that guy in the black shirt, he merely pie faced him to the ground.