I was reading an article on ESPN.com today and apparently two fans that were involved with the Pacers-Pistons fight are now banned from the Palace in Auburn Hills (the Pistons arena). The guy that started it all by throwing the glass of beer, and the guy that walked out on the court and got in Artest's face (only to be dropped by a right hook from Artest), were both banned from all events in the arena.
Personally I think thats funny as hell. Most of the fans there that night acted like complete idiots. First of all, why would you waste a perfectly good glass of beer by throwing it at Ron Artest. At least finnish the drink and then throw the empty cup...but not the whole drink!
Secondly, after Ron Artest and half of the other Pacers players go around punching peoples lights out, why would you go out on the court and taunt them right in their face, and not expect them to do anything. The two idiots that went on the court deserved to get knocked out if you ask me.
They are idiots, but they stand to make millions by sueing NBA players now.
Posted by: Christopher Schultz at December 2, 2004 3:13 PMCant blame them. Most people would do the same.
Posted by: Jeremiah Linder at December 2, 2004 3:17 PMViolence in general, yikes... Well Jeremiah, you have some good points. But when it all comes down to it, I don't think I understand why the fans did what they did or why the players did what they did. I suppose it's that whole heat-of-the-moment thing. Did you guys ever hear about this father who almost shot his son because he was so engorged watching the Superbowl a few years back? I'm on a different track here but I'm just making the point of serious sports fanatics---- they really get into it! ...."Deserved to get knocked out" is kind of harsh! But I would agree that was pretty dumb.
Posted by: Sylvie at December 2, 2004 3:23 PMMy opinion is that it's the players fault. Fans have been taunting and throwing things at entertainers since the beginning of entertainment itself. That's what professional sports are; entertainment, right? Ron Artest deserved to have a soda thrown at him, he was laying down on the press table like he was taking a nap. The fans didn't like what was going on. So he got hit with a soda. Does that mean that he has the right to jump in to the stands and start swinging? No, the players stay on the court and the fans stay in the stands. Artest made the initial move. If he wouldn't have attacked the fans, there wouldn't have been any fans on the court later and the game could have been completed. If he wants to act like a rock star and lie on the press table, then let him, but if a fan throws a drink at him for his delay of game he better be able to suck the rest of it down and go on with the show.
Posted by: Dan at December 6, 2004 5:22 PM