DETROIT PISTONS vs INDIANA PACERS

[indianmustang]

HAS ANY ONE SEEN THE FRIDAY GAME BTW PACERS AND PISTONS
DO YOU THINK ARTEST WAS RIGHT TO JUMP INTO THE CROWD
AND HIT A FAN

[LA_Mustang]

He was wrong going into the stands but the Pistons security should get the most blame. They have to have more officers/security around to keep fans from throwing things on the floor or at the players.

As for the fan(s), if you're going to be a dumb [deleted] and throw a full drink at a player you deserve to get your [deleted] kicked. You can yell and heckle professional athletes all you want, but when you physcially attack a player, all bets are off. I hope they have video of those people throwing things at the players and they are able to identify and arrest them.

Bottom line, that was one of the most disturbing chain of events I've ever seen at a professional sports game. We're going to hear about this for a long time.

[PonyPride]

Couldn't agree more. It was a sickening display. The players were unprofessional, to say the least, but they HAVE to be above retaliation. If someone throws something, go to the center of the floor and get security. Of course, if someone charges the floor/field, that's another situation. But going into the stands can not happen -- the players just can't allow that. As one of the ESPN guys said (from the safe studio), nothing good can happen when players go into the stands. Players can get hurt, fans can get hurt, security personnel can get hurt. Did you see the clip of that old lady who was under a seat trying to avoid being trampled? Not sure if she'd been hurt, passed out from fear, or what.... What if that was your mom/grandmother?

Friday's events were a case of a bad situation getting insanely out of hand. Artest was shameful, but at least he was hit -- twice (by Ben Wallace and then the beer). Stephen Jackson was even worse -- he just wanted to fight anyone. I heard a report this afternoon that Artest is going to be suspended for the season. If so, Jackson should be suspended for two. Or maybe for life.

[LA_Mustang]

...

[stang_fan]

He was way wrong and the punishment fits the crime. However, it is going to be very hard to enforce because the last guy to jump into the crowd and hit a fan only got a 10 game suspension.

[Ponymon]

Artest, evidentally, has a history of problems. The Commissioner pointed that out at his news conference.

[EastStang]

The players got the suspensions they deserved. I'm sorry, but you don't go into the crowd. That creates a riot as opposed to booing and a few beers coming out of the stands. Getting hit with a beer or two is part of professional sports and the arenas are pretty good about arresting those that throw them. By going into the crowd, it allowed the wrongdoers to slip away. I do think the NBA ought to have more of a covering for the players to enter and exit from the dressing room. Its much more fun to call the players names and question their manhood or talk about their many children.

[OldPony]

How could anyone answer the question NO? He definitely was right OR wrong!!!!!