The National Hockey League is on strike, but couldn't the NBA come up with a better way to attract fans than this?
What looked like an ordinary game between Eastern Conference rivals Indiana and Detroit turned into a violent and disgraceful brawl. Unsurprisingly, the man in the middle of the action was Indiana's Ron Artest. It looks like he'll have plenty of time to promote his rap album with his indefinite suspension now. Others involved were the Pacers' Jermaine O'Neal, Stephen Jackson, and the Pistons' Ben Wallace.
After Artest was provoked by a fan with a beer cup while on the scorer's table, he rushed into the stands to "defend" himself. It doesn't matter what is said or done, Artest is a professional (or supposed to be one) and he should show more restraint. There is no excuse to lose it like that and start attacking fans. What made it worse was Artest in fact attacked the wrong fan.
At this point as I watched it live on ESPN (by chance), I couldn't believe what I was watching. It's one thing to see a scuffle between players on the court ... but to see fans and players going at it, and actual fists, chairs, and who knows what else being thrown was beyond imagination. I couldn't believe my eyes and started telling friends to quickly turn on ESPN -- something big was happening. It was one of those moments you knew was destined to remain in memory for years.
Perhaps the most frightening feeling from the whole mess was that even as a viewer, you felt like the situation was out of control and couldn't be contained. Where would it go next? Would a child or elderly person get seriously hurt? Thankfully, there were no serious injuries, but the sight of a young boy crying to (presumably) his father was quite representative of how disgraceful this was. The boy came to see a game, and found himself in the middle of a frightening crime scene. NBA games are supposed to be safe and suitable family outings, but incidents like this one will make people think twice about paying for already inflated ticket prices.
Alcohol most certainly played a role in this, and fans who went on the court got what they deserved. However, how many more alcohol-driven incidents like this will the sporting world have to endure before there is some limit to the distribution of alcohol? It's a shame because only a few irresponsible drunken idiots can ruin it for everyone.
Teams must re-evaluate their stance on alcohol at games, because providing it at unlimited quantities is dangerous people some people obviously cannot act responsibly, and events like this break out. Unfortunately, nothing will likely be done because teams will lose money by limiting or getting rid of alcohol at games altogether. Once again, the almighty dollar will most likely prevail.
The NBA's players already had a less than flattering public image before they started punching fans and entering the stands. Just like the court of field is off-limits for fans, the stands are off-limits for players, and serious criminal penalties should be levied to the players (and fans) involved. We see them as overpaid, spoiled thugs, and after this, can you blame us? Just like not all fans are drunken idiots, not all players are overpaid, spoiled thugs, but the few offenders in each group certainly are ruining it for the rest.
This is a serious black eye for the NBA, at a time when it is particularly vulnerable. Let's hope this is the first and last brawl involving players and fans. What are your thoughts on the brawl? Who is to blame: players, fans, arena security, or all of them? Post your feedback below.
November 21, 2004
Wynton Dunford:
I think this action was dispicable and that all NBA players who participated should be fined at least $250,000 each and permenantely suspended from the game.
The spectator who “started” the brawl should similarly be fined and jailed for 180 days.
November 21, 2004
Johnny Feng:
There should be somewhere to stay for players when something happened (ex. fighting) and waited for judgement from the referee. Artest laid down on the scorer table to wait for the decision from the referee would enrage the fans.
November 22, 2004
Marc:
I think Artest should have got suspended, but not for the whole year. I think he overreacted, but he was defending himself.
I tell you what. If someone poured a drink on my head when I was at work, they would get punched in the mouth too. I think that most people would have the same reaction, no matter what they tell you. In the heat of the moment, these things can happen. Just because they make lots of money doesn’t mean that they can be treated like animals by the fans.
And what message does it send to the fans? They are allowed to mess with the players, since they know they won’t be able to fight back? Unless the NBA is willing to put a barrier between players and fans, I think players should have the right to defend themselves when fans become abusive. Artest overreacted but I think he was well within his rights.
November 22, 2004
Damian Greene:
Artest is by no means innocent, but the suspension was a little excessive. Yes, Artest was WRONG. Yes, he should have been a professional and let security handle it, but throwing a few punches should not cost a person what it’s going to cost Artest. I am not independently wealthy and if you threw a beer at me in a bar and we fought, the most we’d have to pay is MAYBE 100 bucks to get bailed out of jail for a battery charge. Artest is out 4.5 million dollars, but then his stupidity started when he wanted to make a rap album instead of play, now the fight, so, basically, he’s got less money to invest and more time to bust his rhymes. Better him than me.
December 22, 2004
Taleia:
For someone to say that the NBA players are overpaid, spoiled thugs has very POOR wording. Showing the fact that the players that where in the brawl where all African American. Makes myself and others wonder are you trying to state an public opinion about the African American community. On both parts the actions where wrong. We should all know that one cant claim all the blame it takes two. But its quite funny to me that the players where defending themselves but they are the ones who are in the wrong. Speaking of professionals you speak on the players as if they have an apperance to keep up. But dont the fans have one as well? Arent the fans professional to? I also feel that your upset that you arent making as much money. I feel as if they deserve it. Its entertainment, all the money thats coming in from the fans is going to them. So why shouldnt they recieve it. You watch them.