Pacers/Pistons

[ponty 0]

I agree Mack. It should be based on the history of a player. The fine was greater than I would have thought but considering the history and the fact Stern wants to set an example I think its a good move.

[ponty 0]

Sorry :(

Heck who the hell am I? Nothing to be sorry about. I just see two potential arguments in one thread is all.

That has never happened. :P

[KingPest19 0]

Here on the local news in LA they showed a clip of the guy that artest hit on the court being interviewed after the game. He said that he was gong down to the court to rescue a friend who was caught up in everything on the court and that he wasnt doing anything when artest hit him. Obviously he didnt remember coming up to artest running his mouth and putting his hands up in a threatening manner

[Eman24dx 0]

Any one else think Artest does'nt mind having the season off witht the whole rap record coming out? Just seems weird that he asks for time away from basketball and now he does something that he knew would get him suspended.

[crosskore 0]

People keep talking about how it was wrong for them to do what they did, because they are in the public eye. I think thats wrong. If some kid through beer at me, I would punch his face and kick him in the liver. If I was in the NBA, I would do the same thing.

[foppa21 0]

Stephen A. had an interesting point tonight on an interview on ESPN. In his opinion Stephen Jackson deserved a stiffer suspension than Artest. His reasoning being that Artest was provoked before he went into the stands, but Jackson wasn't provoked at all and just went into the stand throwing haymakers.

Interesting point, and after thinking about it I tend to agree with him.

[mack 44]

So O'Neal gets that big suspension for clocking a fan that came onto the court? Sure it was nice suckerpunch, but he had still come onto the court.

And that's the first thing I've ever heard Stephen A. Smith say that makes sense, the Urkel-looking retard.

[mseguin 0]

In my opinion, none of the fans involved should be allowed to attend an NBA game again. not sure how you would enforce that, but it's as much their fault as the players. That being said, I think the suspensions were pretty much deserved. And if the league wants to make an example to keep things from escalating, well so be it.

[foppa21 0]

It wouldn't be that hard to enforce. Just flag their names in the computer system that they have their tickets on. It's already been done before. Piece of cake.

[mickz 107]

The fans involved in throwing debris at the players should be punished imo. The fans that rioted GM Place after Axel was a no show at the Guns N Roses concert in Vancouver a few years back were caught on tape and punished. I don't think this situation is any different. The fans involved were clearly caught on video tape. Like, how would you feel if something dumped beer and popcorn all over you after an altercation like that?

[Karly14 21]

hey on the plus side for artest his street cred for his new rap album just went through the roof. sadly enough too, i bet his jersey sales skyrocket as well

[Chadd 916]

hey on the plus side for artest his street cred for his new rap album just went through the roof. sadly enough too, i bet his jersey sales skyrocket as well

too bad it was an R&B group, not him on the CD. I'm sure the ladies appreciate the extra publicity though.

[Kirsch 1]

I can't beleive the President of the Players Union is appealing the suspension. Sometimes those guys have no shame.

[GekigangarIII 0]

People keep talking about how it was wrong for them to do what they did, because they are in the public eye. I think thats wrong. If some kid through beer at me, I would punch his face and kick him in the liver. If I was in the NBA, I would do the same thing.

I think you'll need a little thicker skin than that to be able to play ANY sport professionally.

Bottom line is, these guys are professionals, they should behave in a professional manner unless their lives are in danger. While stadium beer isn't exactly liquid gold, it's not quite a lethal weapon. Sure it'd piss you off, but you have to keep a level head when it comes down to it.

If it only takes a couple of fans to throw crap at them to set them into full berzerker, should they really be in the position they're in?

[hip check 0]

When a family gets a night out to a b-ball game and sees that, there is no question in my mind the league ruling is correct.

There may be lots of reasons why there should be lesser punishments for the players, but to paying fans who enjoy basketball, this would have been disgusting and insulting to the game.

The league coming down hard on these players (and fans involved) will send a strong message to the players, and also to all fans, that they are serious about the incident. Sure, they may have spanked Artest and Co. a little hard, but that lets everyone in the sporting public know the players were wrong to get involved that way.

I don't view this the as the same as the Bertuzzi incident, but more like T. Fleury making crude gestures to the crowd. (Sorry to bring the Betuzzi thing up again)

[ponty 0]

Think what will happen to Artest when he comes back. He will be taunted and abused by every mental midget fan in the country.

I guess the mindless attract the mindless masses. The boy just hosed is career.

[crosskore 0]

If it only takes a couple of fans to throw crap at them to set them into full berzerker, should they really be in the position they're in?

They are in the position they are in because they can play basketball better then anyone else. You dont get into the NBA because you have a good attitude or because your a nice guy, you get in because you can play the game and thats the bottom line. Just because people watch them on TV doesnt mean they should have to act different and not be themselves or do what anyone else would have done. I know alot of you say you wouldnt have popped that fan for throwing beer on you, but I know alot of people would. To make someone change their personality just because they are in the public eye is not very likely. As long as they do their job, what they are paid to do, thats all that matters. If they got paid to be good people and not fight.. then thats another thing, but they dont, they get paid to play basketball.

[ponty 0]

Your wrong. It is made clear to all NBA players that they are not to go into the stands. Therefore it is indeed part of their job.

So we have evolved to the point that you should be nice only if it is spelled out in your job description? Nice! C'mon you know thats lame.

[crosskore 0]

So we have evolved to the point that you should be nice only if it is spelled out in your job description? Nice! C'mon you know thats lame

I didnt exactly say that. I said they shouldnt have to change their personality. Not everyone out there in the world is a nice guy.

[ponty 0]

Agreed. If you choose to be a jerk and it affects others you should be held accountable and not a victim. I agree, in general, in what you are saying but if you make a choice to be a jerk or not step above a situation you are accountable. How to live life 101 I guess???

[mack 44]

So we have evolved to the point that you should be nice only if it is spelled out in your job description? Nice! C'mon you know thats lame.

Sounds similar to rewarding people as incentive for doing good deeds like say...donating toys to needy kids.

Maybe I'm just a big cynic, but "nice" isn't common anymore or anything that should be expected.

[ponty 0]

Big zing Mack on the toy thing. Nice :) Point taken.

It just amazes me how today's society "nice" is not expected. Its a bonus???

WTF?

[mojo122 538]

You mean like:

Kids giving up their seats on the bus to the elderly?

Men opening doors for women?

Drivers yielding to other motorists instead of cutting them off?

Fans celebrating championships without rioting?

Helping out the less fortunate without wanting something in return?

Not everyone out there is a dunderhead. ;)

[mack 44]

No, the whole chivalry thing is dead and women helped kill that. You never know when something like opening a door for a broad's going to be appreciated or if she'll be some feminazi that chews your head off for thinking she's inferior.

[ponty 0]

Real women still like the polite thing. That wont change. Mack do you wanna marry or even date a feminazi? I think I know the answer.