Its now official.... Suspensions out. Artest done for year

[savage1]

Well-we agree on that anyways.
I think it is difficult for Stern to put himself in the postion of a player during the heat of battle of a game.
People lose their cool; I think Artest and the other players should be punished but not as harshly, and then warned that if it happens again, that's it you they are gone for the season.
In that way the player(s)might think twice on the impact on their pocketbooks, ability to even play and impact on their team and their own fans.
Obviously each team should also post stiff warningsin the arenas/stadiums/ballparks to the fans of the repercussions of their actions should they get out of line.

[mickpetruzzi]

As horrendous as is what Ron Artest did, these player-fan incidents almost always start with the FAN. Somehow fans think they can do ANYTHING to egg on a player, including throwing things, and that is acceptable. The home team has to take a firmer role in controlling its fans. As much at fault as is Mr. Artest, this wouldn't have happened if a fan had first not assaulted him (and yes, throwing a full beverage cup at someone is a criminal offense), though that of course doesn't excuse his behavior or mean that he shouldn't face the full force of the law since he was not simply defending himself when he attacked the fan, to whom was not the one the cup came from.

As far as the 2 punches rocking the 2 fans on the court after the initial fight, the fans are idiots for challenging the players on the court. Not to mention the fans will look for a big payday in civil court (maybe its what they wanted). If the players have good attorneys they will be able to argue (in criminal and civil cases) that an angry fan approached them and they feared for their safety since fans had already started a physical assault on the players a few minutes prior with the projectiles. I'm not saying this is right, but the two players might be able to utilize this argument. I see that as their only primary defense.

When I'm working, people sometimes throw stuff at me and call me things that deserve them getting an attitude adjustment (LE). Trust me, I am not getting $5 million a year to take that abuse. I think that if Artest is out for the season so should Mr. Wallace. Don't forget, Wallace threw a towel at Artest when he was lying on the scores table. Does this fan take the LEAD from Wallace and throw something at Artest too? Just something to think about.

The police and prosecuter have the right idea in this case. Any projectile being thrown towards one persons is criminal assault, thus punishable in the court of law. Throwing a chair at a LE official is felony assault and this person will serve his time. Like I mentioned before, you are allowed to defend oneself if your persons feels threatened or have been assaulted. ONLY in self-defense...not attacking after the cause.

Now my ultimate opinion is that the arena is at fault for not providing adequate courtside security and preventing rowdy fans from throwing objects at the players during and after the fight. The fans are at fault for throwing objects at the players and entering the court. If security on the court were adequate, the second a fan put their feet on the floor, they would be on the ground and on their way out of the stadium. Now a Pacers Owner could seek litigation on the Detroit's management for not protecting their players. Detroit should at least be fined for not providing adequate security.

All this is just my opinion and don't take my location as to why I believe the way I do. I work in an unbiased occupation and that is how I treat everyone and everything.

[savage1]

Mick-that is one terrific and well thought out opinion, and I agree with you 100%. I hope everyone reads it and digests the importance and relevance of what you said.

[capperjohn1]

Why would you think that Wallace would get suspended for a year? B/c he threw a towel and shoved Artest? That's equal to attacking a fan in the stands, provoked or not.
And has anyone even mentioned the amount of security there, but the fact that most arenas move security to the exits while people leave. And this was a blowout so people were leaving earlier. If people were leaving and all security was by the court, and someone was attacked in the arena, you'd be screaming not enough security escorting people out. Can't have it both ways and arena's aren't prisons...

[Luv2Play2]

something to consider

" Intent " ...... it was most obvious to me what big bad Ron's intent was.... yup !! Jackson's was the same.. yup !! by no means do fans have the right... they should and probably will be charged.. but by god make damn sure if an asswhoop'n is in order you get the right person.. yup !! artest and jackson had one thing in mind... yup !!! as we all know these multi million $$$
stars be it sports or actors who serve in the publics eye will be challenged often... it happens much to often these above all others take action into thier own hands ... are we to say its okay
for Mc Enroe to tell some one to stop taking pictures and if you dont , he can shove the camera , blacking and eye splitting a lip
knocking a couple teeth out....... there is" Intent "... he should and will be charged.......
Savage : by far your post was the most comical wth. your reference to SIR CHARLES.... that morons opinion is as useless
as he antics while in the NBA.. not to mention it matches his golf swing... LMAO have you ever seen it ? that thug once spit in the face of a 70 yr. old woman court side in philly..... IMO his comments only help fuel the fire.. the law has been written !!!
do not leave the bench or playing field.. BOL ALL

[mickpetruzzi]

Not worth going back and forth on as this is just all opinion. You have yours, I have mine. We have people fighting overseas to make sure we can still do this today. Let's not forget about them and those that protect our borders and homeland to keep the us safe and free.

I am not going to go into detail on my thoughts to your rebutle, but, for your reference, I was a local cop for 3 years prior to moving up to federal. I was contracted out several time to do security at NBA, NFL and triple A league baseball. I WAS ORDERED EVERYGAME TO MAINTAIN SIGHT ON FANS UNTIL THE FINAL BUZZER RANG, OR THE FINAL OUT WAS MADE. I was the barrier between the fans and players and I treat that as if I was protecting the President. That is my point. Detroit security or local police, someone should have been there to stomp these men who set foot on the floor, especially the cops that are supposed to be behind the bench at all times. I didn't see one on the Indiana side.

Just my opinion. Get my e-mail if you want to go into details as this forum is not the place for me to be posting specifics and I am sure others don't want to read this BS anymore either. I don't gamble anymore so I would enjoy the friendly debate.

Mick.

[savage1]

I like Charles Barkley and he admitted that spitting incident to which he referred was regrettable; Charles has a great perspective on things with a little humor thrown in. Stern never played basketball on a professional level and can't feel the emotions players feel under stress;Greg Anthony talked about the "heat of the moment" very eloquently today on ESPN.
I still shake my head in stunned disbelief with all the ridiculously long and one sided suspensions, millions of dollars lost in salaries, the probable endi of the Pacer's season all because some players lost their cool! IF the offending fans get some stiff fines and/or jail sentences(which I doubt), it might even things out a little and make the punishments of Artest and the others a little easier to live with.
This pales in comparison with the other shit going on in the world.
I think "justice" was meted out very selectively in this case.

[Southern Dandy]

Max Kellerman brought up a good point yesterday when he said that the only reason Ron Artest attacked that fan and not Ben Wallace was because he knew he could beat up the fan. The way Ron Artest acts I wouldn't doubt that at all.

[iwright]

I as I said before the guy who threw the cup was simple trailer park trash. This thug had three DUIs, an assualt charge, a bad check charge and a concealed weapon charge. I hope they revoke his parole and send him back to the big house to rot.

[savage1]

There is a good intereview going on now between Larry King, the guy who allegedly threw the cup and the guy's attorney.
The show will be repeated at midnight;the interview is only about 10 minutes long and at the beginning-the rest of the show was great with my boy, Bill Maher. I am glad someone has got it right in this country!!!