Didn't see the now infamous Pacers-Pistons game (the Throw Down in Motown, The Motor City Melee, The Dust-Up in Detroit...did I miss any?), though I must've borne witness to a half dozen Sportscenter replays this morning. Pretty ugly stuff. Ron Artest's charge into the crowd ranks with the all-time brawls.
The closest I've ever come to fan-on-player violence (or vice versa) was yelling at Darren Daulton for seven innings while attending a Phillies game at the Vet in 1996. Obnoxious? Yeah, but I never rushed the field, or said anything so out of bounds it would cause the player in question to hunt me down and drive my head into the seats.
In my opinion, that is. Comments about a guy's hair shouldn't be that big a deal.
I have a hard time feeling sympathy for people who lob bottles at the opposing team's players for the sole purpose of inciting a reactiion. Which is why I could sort of understand Artest and Jackson storming into the good seats to kick some ass.
Sure, it would've been nice if the Indiana players showed a little restraint, since nothing good ever comes out of players going into the stands. However, fans coming onto the field of play - like that Pistons supporter who got clocked by Jermaine O'Neal - deserve everything they get. That guys' just lucky it wasn't an NHL game. Ask Tie Domi what he thinks about fans who get within arm's reach.
So Artest, Jackson, O'Neal, and Wallace are all suspended indefinitely. Now I hope they use that groovy camera technology (and make no mistake, they've got film on everyone involved) to bring charges against the fans involved.
But NBA players - professional athletes - ought to be mature enough to know better than to go chasing after fans in the crowd. Yes, the fans deserved to get slugged ... but the players were stupid and hotheaded. How is this any different than the Texas pitcher throwing a chair into the crowd? (Which he was excoriated for... but in this case, we're supposed to cut the players a break?)
I said I "sort of" understand the desire of a player to go after some asshole whose only purpose in attending the game is to incite the opposing team. Doesn't make it acceptable, but even millionaire crybabies are only human.
The guy what came on the court was a fair target, however. As are any fans who come onto the field of play during a game.
Agree with that. I still enjoy tapes of the Kansas City Royals beating the sh*t out of the Ligue family a couple of years ago.
I'm pretty sure if a lawyer jumped into the jury box and started pounding on the jurors, even if they were yawning or sleeping or totally drunk, the lawyer would receive more that a suspension through the end of the case. Ditto if a sales clerk jumps the counter to attack a customer, no matter how idiotic their questions may be.
And nobody else gets to take time off from their job to promote their new rap CD.
Pretty much my take on it. Fans that rush the field/court deserve whatever happens to them. Not saying most NBA players aren't spoiled children or anything.