any other time i'd put this in the sports thread, but i want to say that the people of Detroit who were involved in this scene are some punk **** ****.... :evil: :!: :evil:
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (AP) -- Indiana's Ron Artest and Stephen Jackson charged into the stands and fought with fans in the final minute of their game against the Detroit Pistons on Friday night, forcing an early end to the Pacers' 97-82 win.
The game was stopped with 45.9 seconds remaining when a pushing and shoving between the teams spilled into the stands after fans began throwing things at the players near the scorer's table.
``It's the ugliest thing I've seen as a coach or player,'' Pistons coach Larry Brown said.
After several minutes of players fighting with fans in the stands, the Pacers were pelted with beer, ice, and popcorn as they made their way to the locker room in one of the scariest brawls in an NBA game.
The Palace announcer said the game was being stopped and pleaded with fans not to throw things.
that's a damn shame... :evil: don't blame Artest for goin into the stands after having that beer thrown on you
Although I think the suspensions are alittle unfair, I do understand where David Stern is coming from because he wants the fans to know that this behavior will never be tolerated by the NBA. I mean think about it...the NBA could possibly loose alot of money if customers ( the fans ) stop going to the games because they are afraid that this could happen while they are at a game. And realistically speaking, the way that brawl happened...fans AND players was just throwing bows on anybody they saw. In the midst of that mayhem...somebody's child or any innocent fan who had no involvement in the fighting whatsoever could have gotten seriously hurt. The NBA doesnt wanna ever take the chances of that kind of behavior happening again because not only does it give the NBA a bad name but they could face possible lawsuits. David Stern was using Ron Artest and all other players invloved as an EXAMPLE to all other NBA players that this behvior will never be tolerated and they will face the same type of repercussions.
Although I think the suspensions are alittle unfair, I do understand where David Stern is coming from because he wants the fans to know that this behavior will never be tolerated by the NBA. I mean think about it...the NBA could possibly loose alot of money if customers ( the fans ) stop going to the games because they are afraid that this could happen while they are at a game. And realistically speaking, the way that brawl happened...fans AND players was just throwing bows on anybody they saw. In the midst of that mayhem...somebody's child or any innocent fan who had no involvement in the fighting whatsoever could have gotten seriously hurt. The NBA doesnt wanna ever take the chances of that kind of behavior happening again because not only does it give the NBA a bad name but they could face possible lawsuits. David Stern was using Ron Artest and all other players invloved as an EXAMPLE to all other NBA players that this behvior will never be tolerated and they will face the same type of repercussions.
that's a good point... also, not just losing fans, they'd lose sponsors... but since the NBA handed down the harsh (but necessary) penalties, they're not going to lose any sponsors
