2008 Woodie Awards
Cagers out of Control
Indiana Pacer loses more than $5 million due to suspension.
Sam Hahn
Issue date: 11/24/04 Section: Sports
- Page 1 of 1
One of the ugliest acts of sports violence was not displayed in a caged World Wrestling Entertainment event. It appeared on the nationally televised NBA game Friday night between the Detroit Pistons and the Indiana Pacers.
The Indiana Pacers' Ron Artest, Steven Jackson, and Jermaine O'Neal got into a brawl with several fans at the Palace in Auburn Hills not long after Artest fouled Detroit's Ben Wallace in a blow-out game that was controlled by the Pacers.
As Artest and Jackson scuffled with several fans in the stands, things took a turn for the worse. Fans and players were fighting on and off the court. All hell broke loose as fans started to throw beer, popcorn, and even a chair onto the floor while other players attempted to leave the court unscathed.
Hold on for a quick second. This is the same Ron Artest who asked the Indiana Pacer organization for a month off to promote his new rap album. During last week's ESPN interview, Artest boldly stated, "I'm my own man; if I want to take some time off, that doesn't make me crazy."
And he's the same player who received a 12-game suspension after accumulating numerous flagrant fouls during the 2002-2003 season. Artest was suspended for the remainder of the season without pay for his actions Friday night, which will cost the player more than $5 million. Jackson was suspended for 30 games and O'Neal for 25. Wallace was let off with a slightly softer penalty suffering only a six-game suspension.
With that said, who can we blame for the outburst of foolishness that occurred Friday night? Well, it's easy to point the finger at the fans because they were acting stupid while drunk. Or, one can blame the players for losing their cool and going into the stands.
One thing is certain. The NBA needs to assess this situation and figure out ways to prevent future fan vs. player altercations. Fans should be banned from stepping onto a court during a game and players should be heavily fined or stripped of their opportunity to play in the NBA for going into the stands.
Violence is a big part of society today and there's no one to say otherwise. But there needs to be more control at sporting events.
"Basketball was once played in a cage," one newscaster said after viewing the game. "Maybe the NBA should go back to playing in a cage to protect both the fans and players."
The Indiana Pacers' Ron Artest, Steven Jackson, and Jermaine O'Neal got into a brawl with several fans at the Palace in Auburn Hills not long after Artest fouled Detroit's Ben Wallace in a blow-out game that was controlled by the Pacers.
As Artest and Jackson scuffled with several fans in the stands, things took a turn for the worse. Fans and players were fighting on and off the court. All hell broke loose as fans started to throw beer, popcorn, and even a chair onto the floor while other players attempted to leave the court unscathed.
Hold on for a quick second. This is the same Ron Artest who asked the Indiana Pacer organization for a month off to promote his new rap album. During last week's ESPN interview, Artest boldly stated, "I'm my own man; if I want to take some time off, that doesn't make me crazy."
And he's the same player who received a 12-game suspension after accumulating numerous flagrant fouls during the 2002-2003 season. Artest was suspended for the remainder of the season without pay for his actions Friday night, which will cost the player more than $5 million. Jackson was suspended for 30 games and O'Neal for 25. Wallace was let off with a slightly softer penalty suffering only a six-game suspension.
With that said, who can we blame for the outburst of foolishness that occurred Friday night? Well, it's easy to point the finger at the fans because they were acting stupid while drunk. Or, one can blame the players for losing their cool and going into the stands.
One thing is certain. The NBA needs to assess this situation and figure out ways to prevent future fan vs. player altercations. Fans should be banned from stepping onto a court during a game and players should be heavily fined or stripped of their opportunity to play in the NBA for going into the stands.
Violence is a big part of society today and there's no one to say otherwise. But there needs to be more control at sporting events.
"Basketball was once played in a cage," one newscaster said after viewing the game. "Maybe the NBA should go back to playing in a cage to protect both the fans and players."
