Pistons vs. Pacers after the game brawl in the stands

[kis123]

BTW, for those who are blaming this on the rap community, if this were white guys who went into the crowd fighting would you blame the hardcore head banging punk rock music? I bet not...

It's not the music, it's the mentality! People are buying into the bad-boy hype. The media gives the bad boys all of the attention. What's so shameful is that young kids are watching all of this and many will eventually emulate their so-called "role models" and "idols". BTW, rap music did not start out violent with women beiing called bi**ches and "hoes", and overtly sexual and drug infested. Gangsta life was not touted in old school rap. This music has evolved backwards and has put a black eye on the true talent and intelligence rap music used to posess!

Because all of the perpetrators were of color, that makes it even worse. It's bad enough we are depicted as violent, out of control animals. We've spent years trying to defeat the stigma and prejudice, and now this!! Dr. King is probably turning over in his grave at what's going on now. He fought for us to have opportunity and equality. Look how some have chosen to live their dream!

 

[maniactickler]

It's not the music, it's the mentality! People are buying into the bad-boy hype. The media gives the bad boys all of the attention. What's so shameful is that young kids are watching all of this and many will eventually emulate their so-called "role models" and "idols". BTW, rap music did not start out violent with women beiing called bi**ches and "hoes", and overtly sexual and drug infested. Gangsta life was not touted in old school rap. This music has evolved backwards and has put a black eye on the true talent and intelligence rap music used to posess!

Because all of the perpetrators were of color, that makes it even worse. It's bad enough we are depicted as violent, out of control animals. We've spent years trying to defeat the stigma and prejudice, and now this!! Dr. King is probably turning over in his grave at what's going on now. He fought for us to have opportunity and equality. Look how some have chosen to live their dream!

well said!

 

[maniactickler]

Now you people are blameing the Pistons vs. Pacers brawl on rap music and the rap culture?

That is the most stupidest thing that i have ever heard in my life.

Its not the actual rap music, its the gangsta mentality. look at the vibe awards recently. that was more like a gang war than an awards show. youd have to be nuts to want to go see any awards show dealing with the rap community. unless your carrying a firearm.

 

[Docsoul]

Rap music has nothing to do with this. Ron Artest is mentally ill. Literally. I think that he is on medication for some mental disorder like bipolar depression. He needs help. All of his previous antics ...throwing tv monitors ...fights ...etc
were examples of his problems with conflict resolution. Skipping games to help produce an R&B album about two weeks ago got him benched for 2 games. This is not a rational man.

I think the league was a bit harsh on him considering Vernon Maxwell went up into the stands a few years back and got ten games. Ben Wallace should have gotten 2 games. He didn't tell Ron Artest to go up into the stands. Those dummies that went out onto the floor and got dropped...got what they deserved. There was no sympathy for those clowns that jumped that Kansas City Royals first base coach when they got stomped by the baseball team. I have no sympathy for those two dummies trying to take on these 6-5 240+ lb men.

And all of these athletes are paid too much. Reggie Miller's 1 game suspension is = $72,000. 1 game of putting a ball in a hole for 48 minutes = $72,000. Ron Artest loses out on over 5 million. I'm beating my kid if he ever thinks about reading a book when he should be practicing his jump shot 😉

 

[Texas_Tickle]

Personally, both sides were at fault. Fans come to a game to cheer their team on and give a little hell to the opposing team. All in fun and natural for a game. Players are prepared to be booed or heckled during a game (at least most of them anyway). But when you start throwing things at players for doing their job, that's too much. That was probably the tackiest display by fans and players I've ever seen!

Having said that, there's really no excuse for players to go into the stands after fans. Someone should have been the grownup. Many of these players could benefit from anger management training! A lot of players and the NBA are going to lose a lot of money over this one. I personally all involved are caught, not just the players, and are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law!!! This kind of behavior needs to stop so people can feel safe at the games. Take it from someone whose football fans are considered the worst in the league (battery-throwing, beer-bottle throwing knuckleheads from Cleveland) the bad reputation never goes away!

But what you forget is alot of these "star" have a God Complex and think they have nobody to answer to, **because** they are sports stars.

 

[kis123]

But what you forget is alot of these "star" have a God Complex and think they have nobody to answer to, **because** they are sports stars.

I haven't forgotten anything! The fans are the reason the athletes have the God complex. Nothing about throwing a rubber ball in a hoop excites me at all unless it's my daughter doing it! It's the fans that make it possible for these guys to make more money than teachers, doctors, lawyers, and basically every other honorable profession in the world. Show me an arrogant, spoiled, God-complex athlete and I'll show you crowds who will travel the world to see them play. It's the fans that make them like this-all the attention and worship (you know, like a god).

Remember, I live in LeBron country. What teenager honestly deserves over 100 million dollars to play basketball? So what, he flies through the air and dunks a basketball! Big deal! That's why if you ever catch me at a sporting event, it's because someone else bought the ticket! I'll never support it at all! My daughter absolutely cannot stand him nor the fact that women's sports are professional and without drama or incident, yet get little or no attention at all. The money they make is like pocket change in the NBA-do you see any of them bellyaching and holding out on contract? Do you see any of them in trouble with the law? Do you see them with a bunch of babies with different guys? NO, NO, NO!!!

The fans make the player and feel they have the right to be abusive and insulting. These players are human and they're younger and do not have the maturity to ignore it. Like I said before, there's enough blame to go around on both sides.

 

[kis123]

I also still think Ben Wallace got off real easy. The fight NEVER would've happened AT ALL if he didn't start it, then ran after Artest when he walked away from him. It doesn't excuse what Artest did at all, but would he have done it if he didn't fight with Wallace prior to the incident? It looks like I'm the only one who feels that way, but I like to go back to the beginning of an issue to discover the source of the problem. I don't excuse Ben Wallace and he should have been suspended for at least double of what he got. Hopefully, he learned a lesson and doesn't repeat his mistake. I hope all of these clowns have learned something and get their tempers in check! I guess I'm in it by myself on this one-that's okay, I'm used to it.


If someone attacks you after you walked away from the fight, would you let him get away???? Once again for the record, Artest shouldn't have ever gone to the stands, but no one should've been throwing cups of beer at the guy either, especially with his propensity for violence. Like another poster said, these guys are too big, strong, and fast for fans to pick fights with. Enough blame to go around for everyone.

 

[steph]

Excellent points hon!

I found this entire incident pitiful and sickening. Yanno what? Back in the day, when players played for love of the GAME not love of the $ (Dr. J, Larry Bird, etc.) this type of behavior would have NEVER occurred. Nor would it have been tolerated.

We pay some hothead dumbass MILLIONS for bouncing a little ball around a little court~Your own President doesn't make this kind of money for running the damn country, nor does the heart surgeon who may one day save your life.

Dump the entire current bunch of spoiled, overpaid losers who're in there now and hire a new crew but pay more realistically like they did in the good old days, just my 2 cents.

Grandma here, signing off
XOXO

I haven't forgotten anything! The fans are the reason the athletes have the God complex. Nothing about throwing a rubber ball in a hoop excites me at all unless it's my daughter doing it! It's the fans that make it possible for these guys to make more money than teachers, doctors, lawyers, and basically every other honorable profession in the world. Show me an arrogant, spoiled, God-complex athlete and I'll show you crowds who will travel the world to see them play. It's the fans that make them like this-all the attention and worship (you know, like a god).

Remember, I live in LeBron country. What teenager honestly deserves over 100 million dollars to play basketball? So what, he flies through the air and dunks a basketball! Big deal! That's why if you ever catch me at a sporting event, it's because someone else bought the ticket! I'll never support it at all! My daughter absolutely cannot stand him nor the fact that women's sports are professional and without drama or incident, yet get little or no attention at all. The money they make is like pocket change in the NBA-do you see any of them bellyaching and holding out on contract? Do you see any of them in trouble with the law? Do you see them with a bunch of babies with different guys? NO, NO, NO!!!

The fans make the player and feel they have the right to be abusive and insulting. These players are human and they're younger and do not have the maturity to ignore it. Like I said before, there's enough blame to go around on both sides.

 

[pghtickleguy]

I agree totally that these guys are way overpaid but it's all about the money and these owners will pay it. Steph you are right this nonsense would of never happened back in the day with the Doctor Bird or Magic. I loved those days. As a fan of the sport I was embarassed to see what happened. The funny thing is that things like that happen only you don't see it all the time. I use to play in a summer basketball league and no I am no where near pro caliber but nowadays guys are ready to fight over the most stupid things. I have to say though that I applaud David Stern on his actions the only difference is not only would Ron Artest be gone for the year but his sidekick Jackson would be as well. I might even consider him banned for life. That would definitely send a message. Sports doesn't need this crap at all.

 

[Dadec]

Sports figures in general have gone downhill in direc proportion to the money they get for endorsements.

~D~

 

[Texas_Tickle]

Re: Excellent points hon!

I found this entire incident pitiful and sickening. Yanno what? Back in the day, when players played for love of the GAME not love of the $ (Dr. J, Larry Bird, etc.) this type of behavior would have NEVER occurred. Nor would it have been tolerated.

Exactly. Bird and J had class and dignity. But more than that, they had respect for the sport and didn't let their fame become their excuse if they broke the law.

Same way with Tom Landry. Half the shit that goes on now would not have gone on with Landry. He was not afraid to put the players in their place, if the situation warrented.

Not Jerry Jones. He's more content to let the Cowboys make asses of themselves and embarrass Dallas (both on and off the field). I guess when you have $10 billion dollars, you don't need to worry about traits such as character and honor.

Last year former Cowboys star Michael Irving was cited for speeding (I think he was going 70 in a 40) and when the officer issued the ticket, Irving reportedly ripped it up, got out of his car, and right into the officer's face screaming "You obviously don't know who the fuck I am"

But then again, he's the Cowboy who made more headlines for run-ins with the law than he did running on the field.

We pay some hothead dumbass MILLIONS for bouncing a little ball around a little court

Excellent point. I don't care if your name is Lebron James, Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, ect....what you do is not worth $100 million. Try working a real job.

 

[Neutron]

It's The Players Fault..

Not the fans. Granted there was some bad stuff done by the fans, however the players hit people who weren't even involved.

I'd LOVE a punk like artest to take a poke at me. I'd use his fingers for a necklace.

Tron

 

[Neutron]

It Wasn't Beer..

In fact it was water,

WAllace got what he deserved,. He didn't go into the stands. Artest et al did.

As a former pro, NEVER go into the stands. Artest will be lucky to not lose every cent he ever made.

Tron

 

[naveltkltr1350]

I agree with ya Tron, Pros get paid a lot of money to deal with this crap.I know they are ppl like us, and have the same feelings too. IF you are in a visiting teams house, you know you are gonna get heckled. I mean its a given. The fans did what they wanted to do..get into Artests Head. He let them win. YOU have to NOT let ppl get into your head. I may have not played in college or the pros, but in High School, coming from a Hated school as it was, we were constantly heckled. All the TIME! We never got crazy and beat the hell outta the fans for it. Yeah we had stuff thrown at us, which is sad cause we are just teenage high schoolers, but what they did, was handled professionally by the Officers protecting us at the games. I see if a fan comes on the field and threatens you, beat ass then! just like they did to Gambino(sp) of the Royals who was coaching first and attacked by the dumbass father and son. They didnt think that one out clearly, cause they had the whole royals organization on them. Wasnt Butkis or ditka who leveled the fan who stole the football in the middle of the game? I mean, come on..fans are to blame just as much as players, although the players need to be the bigger men/women and not exit the court and go into the stands. I have no problem protecting themselves on court/field from any raging lunatic fan.

 

[Sunriseticklee]

I think Artest is a dumb ass and I can't stand him.

He had no REAL commitment to his team anyway. Any jerk wad who asks to take a month off a team he is contracted with to work on a CD.... He should have been off the team anyway.

He deserved what he got! He was wrong... THEY ALL WERE WRONG! Fans, players, etc.

And I agree with whoever said that they ALL should be punished! Criminal charges, fines... and whatever.

Heckling fans are a part of sports guys... PERIOD. PERIOD!!!! It starts with the rec league, goes through middle and high school... college ... and obviously the pros aren't immune to them!

Every last person who participated in that incident REGARDLESS of who started it, created a dangerous and chaotic atmosphere that could have resulted in more serious injuries... With that stampede of people, someone could have gotten killed. Every one of those adults had the opportunity to take the high road and DIDN'T.

Let's put it this way. What if you took your small child to that game and your child got stomped on or ran over or hit because some idiot basketball player wanted to punch someone out because of a cup of beer. Or because some stupid fan near you wanted to run up to get closer to the fight. Or because some fan decided to be an asshole and dump something on someone.

I would have sued the pants off of EVERYBODY!

That was so useless!
Sunrise


BTW... I am speaking with experience... I played rec, middle, high school, and college ball. I have been heckled, hit with stuff, and my team has had to be escorted out by the police. It happens. LOL I'm also a heckler too. (Hangs head in shame).... Oh shut up... Its fun and part of the game! (I don't throw things at people though!)

Agreeing with everyone else. These young players need to get over themselves! This is ridiculous!

 

[Texas_Tickle]

Re: It's The Players Fault..

Not the fans. Granted there was some bad stuff done by the fans, however the players hit people who weren't even involved.

I'd LOVE a punk like artest to take a poke at me. I'd use his fingers for a necklace.

Tron

I do put the blame on the fan who threw the beer. That was totally claseless. But sports stars are supposed to have a degree of self-control, as well.

I remember when Hogan joined the NWO with Scott Hall/Kevin Nash and a fan hurled a piece of food at him and hit him right between the eyes. Hogan just flipped "the bird" in the direction the food was being thrown from

 

[mattykid]

Remember the fight started when Wallace shoved Artest. Artest then did nothing. That is the key. Wallace would have received at least a one game suspension. As for my aforementioned comment on the key point, why didn't Artest attack Wallace? But attacked a fan who threw a cup of beer on him. The fan should be charged, banned for life, etc. but Ron Artest wound up making physical contact with fans that had nothing to do with the incident except for their proximity to the incident. Ron Artest is 6-9 240. He made his bed, don't feel soory for him, its what he wants.

 

[natural tickler]

Re: It's The Players Fault..

Not the fans. Granted there was some bad stuff done by the fans, however the players hit people who weren't even involved.

I'd LOVE a punk like artest to take a poke at me. I'd use his fingers for a necklace.

Tron

\


I dunno Tron, Artest is crazy. If he is willing to go after a stadium of fans just whatcha think he will do to you?😛

Anyhoo, it is all the fans fault. Artest was defending himself. Yes fans have a right to say what they want, but only to an extent. The only thing to me not allowed is when it gets personal, like when they bring your family into it. They have no right to throw anything at you. When they do that, it fair game, and anything goes. A lot of you are trying to act highly moral, but if it happened to you, in that split-second, none of you are gonna tell me you wouldn't attack that fan. You're lying if you say you wouldn't. If we were in the streets one on one and I throw something at you, we would be fighting. The same should apply here. My 2 cents, returnable if not satisfied

 

[Iggy pop]

Yes, fighting in the stands is bad, but just thank god Nicolette Sheridan did not drop a towel. I mean there is nothing worse than that in professional sports.

 

[kis123]

Re: Re: It's The Players Fault..

\


I dunno Tron, Artest is crazy. If he is willing to go after a stadium of fans just whatcha think he will do to you?😛

Anyhoo, it is all the fans fault. Artest was defending himself. Yes fans have a right to say what they want, but only to an extent. The only thing to me not allowed is when it gets personal, like when they bring your family into it. They have no right to throw anything at you. When they do that, it fair game, and anything goes. A lot of you are trying to act highly moral, but if it happened to you, in that split-second, none of you are gonna tell me you wouldn't attack that fan. You're lying if you say you wouldn't. If we were in the streets one on one and I throw something at you, we would be fighting. The same should apply here. My 2 cents, returnable if not satisfied

If I'm making seven figures for bouncing a rubber ball around the floor, I'd be hard pressed to ruin my relatively easy job over a cup of beer! If someone hit me with an object, I'd learn to live with it for that type of salary. Now if you attacked my children, that's another thing. No amount of money would keep me off of you over one of my kids!

I'll say it again, there was enough blame for everyone from Wallace to Artest to the fans and everyone inbetween.

 

[BlackmoonDoll]

My older brother Rick (who is also a basketball fan but not really so much of NBA Basketball anymore) thought that Ron Artest should be banned for life from playing NBA Basketball

 

[maniactickler]

I think Artest should not only be banned, but he should do a little jail time. he has quite a rap sheet as it is.

 

[BlackmoonDoll]

I think Artest should not only be banned, but he should do a little jail time. he has quite a rap sheet as it is.

Yeah i also feel that Ron Artest should face a little bit of jail time. But not much. Because all he did was get into a fight (it is not like he Killed a person)

But i'm just worrying about my NBA team not how Indiana and the Pistons are doing.