Handled it as best he could have? He went into the stands and attacked a fan, in fact, it wasn't even the fan that threw the water/beer at him.
Artest nearly confronted the guy in LAPD fashion. He didn't throw a punch at all and he was yelling "DID YOU THROW IT? DID YOU THROW IT?" It's not like he went psycho and hacked the man to death. If it wasn't for Jacksons punch that man would have been home uninjured, Artest let him go once he was told it wasn't him who threw it.
The players should not go into the stands no matter what.. the fans should not go onto the floor. Artest could have pointed out the guy who threw the bottle and had security escort him out. He went up into the stands to be honest if you guys were sitting there and the guy next to your is getting is face pounded by Artest and SJackson would you just sit there and do nothing? J
A fight between players is one thing, but a fight with the crowd is another. There will be flare-up in the heat of battle. That is understandable, but also punishable. When the fans act up, YOU LEAVE. This is not Jerry Springer. These are highly paid professional entertainers, they should know what the audience is capable of. When stuff starts being thrown, players should leave the court immediately or be fined. That is their job. This is not a game at the park. If they can't handle it, they should be out of the league. Artest was not defending himself. His actions are inexcusable. Period.
I think we just have different principles in this regard. And I do respect and admire yours. I consider throwing things at me assault, same as physically hitting me. In the court of Law(not saying law is always correct), throwing things is considered assault. Body slamming the fan was not right, I just feel the fans had just as much to blame. This incident is sooooo bad for the NBA. I find myself stressed out just thinking about it.
Something like this is going to effect everyone in every city that has a basketball team. Whether it is the removal of beer or limiting the times you can buy it, it is going to have a major effect and everyone is going to be hurt by it overall. It only takes one mistake for them to change so much.
Honestly, I think that was an arab guy. But, I also do not think we needed to put that racial qualifier in there. You could always say drunk Piss-ton fan.
I just showed this to my buddy Hector, who is watching college football with me, and happens to be from Mexico. He said "Sweet Jesus, I'm a Mexican Guy!!! When did that become term become derogatory? Effin PC bs!!!" Back on topic, Stephen A Smith is why I basically dont watch NBA coverage on ESPN anymore. I used to mock David Aldridge for wearing kneepads from his endless worship of MJ, but SAS makes me regret ever mocking Aldridge. His little speech this morning made me wanna puke. Best sports league? Are you kidding? Its a trainwreck.
Jackson, Wallace, Artest, are suspended indefinitely, according to ABC. Not sure if they mentioned Oneal or others, but those for sure.
?? I SERIOUSLY don't know what you two are talking about. Re-read my post, read my reply and tell me why the **** you are accusing me of this.
http://cbs.sportsline.com/nba/story/7908561 NEW YORK -- The NBA suspended Ron Artest, Jermaine O'Neal and Stephen Jackson of Indiana and Ben Wallace of Detroit on Saturday for taking part in one of the ugliest brawls in U.S. sports history. The suspensions were indefinite, and the league was still investigating Friday night's melee, which commissioner David Stern called "shocking, repulsive and inexcusable -- a humiliation for everyone associated with the NBA." The league issued a statement saying it was reviewing rules and security procedures "so that fans can continue to attend our games unthreatened by events such as the ones that occurred last night." AP NEWS The Associated Press News Service
Wasn't Mahmoud Abdul-Raouf (sp?) suspended indefinitely after refusing to stand up for the national anthem citing the American flag as a symbol of tyranny? Thank you. Carry on...
They should have all of them and the fans involved sit in a circle on national tv and sing Kum By Yah
