Wow, so i guess an obscene gesture is more concerning to the NBA than a vicious elbow to the face. http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/playoffs2004/news/story?id=1809374 NEW YORK -- Ron Artest of the Indiana Pacers was fined $10,000 by the NBA on Tuesday for making an obscene gesture during Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals against Detroit. Artest made the gesture with 3:30 remaining in the fourth quarter of the Pacers' 72-67 loss to the Pistons on Monday night. It's the second time Artest has been disciplined during the playoffs. He was suspended for Game 2 in the Pacers' opening playoff series against the Boston Celtics for leaving the bench during a confrontation in Game 1. During the regular season, Artest was also suspended one game in March after he elbowed Portland's Derek Anderson. But Artest certainly has not appeared to be as volatile as last season, when he was suspended five times by the NBA and once by the Pacers for a total of 12 games. The Pacers face the Pistons in Game 3 of the best-of-seven series Wednesday night in Auburn Hills, Mich.
I think it is great to see players interacting with the fans. I hate certain players. If I heckle him all night and he gives me the finger, will that prevent me from attending more NBA games? Hell no. I will attend even MORE games. I'll be there every single time that player is in town so I can bash him some more. That's why I always have Dodger tickets when Barry Bonds is in town.
Ya i saw it, but he was doin it to the refs after he muscled that shot in over prince and was fouled, He was at home, he wouldnt do it to his own fans
Would you rather take a viscious flagrant foul to the head.... or have someone give you the finger? League management is a joke.
Sigh.... is it just me or is that whole *****en NBA league is giving Malone a personal hand job.....NBA officals are useless....They prey on Francis, Sheed, Artest because of ther reps...and repeatedly make examples of them, to show if you do anything bad you will be punished.... but if you're "O' mighty Malone" lets turn our heads until this dirtya$$ old man has a ring bestold(sp)upon him, so he can retire.... as much as Love the NBA... it too can make me sick at times... i guess you can teach our children that making bad gestures, complaining to the ref, and what not is bad, but hey you can elbow a guy and cetainly rick injuring the guy for life is A-OK... just as long as you dont make a bad gesture to him.... buttom line NBA officals are all USELESS, and ultimatly BIAS
Well what I find interesting is how the league has evolved (actually the MLB is in the same boat here). I was watching OTL last night and they must have shown about 15 different fights the 'Bad Boys' got into. And these were vicous fights. I still think Malone is a dirty player, but what he does now would've been condoned back then. (?) And same with players getting HBP; lousy umps; let them fight. I swear these leagues should adopt NHL rules; only break it up when one guy is leveled. Also, minutes before Artest's fine was announced, SportsCenter showed the clip from the reverse angle when talking about Artest's gameplay, and I knew I saw a couple of fingers. Unblurred too.
Heres alittle something to crew on.... if the Wolves fail to stop the Lakers, and the Pistons (hopefully) beat the Pacers. Then you have a Laker vs Pistons finals. Ben vs Shaq Prince vs Geogre Rip vs Kobe Billips vs Payton but it Karl "nevers gets a real punishment from the NBA" Malone vs Rasheed "always gets punished by the NBA" Wallace I can see it now, Malone pulls some kinda dirty move on Sheed, Sheed gives Karl a hard fool. Karl elbows Sheed. Sheed retaliants(sp) back... League reviews it... Sheed suspended and Malone gets fined..... is anyone surprised or would argue different??? the sad part is... you know very well it would... sorry, will... happen.
