ducks
11-18-2005, 04:26 PM
Changes help NBA repair image one year after epic brawl
November 18, 2005
NEW YORK (AFP) - One year after an epic brawl between National Basketball Association players and spectators that sparked assault charges, the league has tougher security measures, a dress code and a new charity program.
The image make-over came after an ugly brawl on November 19, 2004 at the Palace of Auburn Hills in Michigan between Indiana Pacers players and fans of the Detroit Pistons.
Indiana's Ron Artest charged into the stands and began punching a fan he mistakenly thought hurled a drink cup at him as he lay prone on a table in the final seconds of a Pacers' triumph over the Pistons.
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The ensuing melee saw players enter the stands to scuffle with spectators, fans run onto the court and being punched by Pacers players and police finally escorting the Pacers to the locker room under a hail of garbage.
"That was the ugliest thing I've ever seen in my life as a coach or player," then-Pistons coach Larry Brown said at the time. "I'm just embarrassed for our league and disappointed at being a part of this."
"I felt like I was fighting for my life out there," Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said.
NBA commissioner David Stern banished Artest for the remainder of the season, costing him 5.4 million dollars and effectively dooming the Pacers' title hopes before they had barely started.
In suspending eight other players for lesser spans, Stern called the melee "shocking, repulsive and inexcusable, a humiliation for everyone associated with the NBA".
The league created a code of conduct for NBA games that included tougher security and early ends to alcohol sales.
Imposed this season was an NBA dress code targeting players who arrived at games in hip-hop attire, with suspensions possible for fashion style violations.
Additionally, the NBA Cares program hopes to raise 100 million dollars for charity causes in NBA cities.
Artest is back on the court for the Pacers, who were off to a 4-3 start to the new season while the Pistons, who lost to San Antonio in last season's NBA final, were the last unbeaten team in the NBA at 7-0.
Both clubs have put the past behind them, preferring to leave the ugliness in the past.
"That's not what we're about," Artest said. "We've moved on."
November 18, 2005
NEW YORK (AFP) - One year after an epic brawl between National Basketball Association players and spectators that sparked assault charges, the league has tougher security measures, a dress code and a new charity program.
The image make-over came after an ugly brawl on November 19, 2004 at the Palace of Auburn Hills in Michigan between Indiana Pacers players and fans of the Detroit Pistons.
Indiana's Ron Artest charged into the stands and began punching a fan he mistakenly thought hurled a drink cup at him as he lay prone on a table in the final seconds of a Pacers' triumph over the Pistons.
ADVERTISEMENT
Yes No
Yes No
Yes No
The ensuing melee saw players enter the stands to scuffle with spectators, fans run onto the court and being punched by Pacers players and police finally escorting the Pacers to the locker room under a hail of garbage.
"That was the ugliest thing I've ever seen in my life as a coach or player," then-Pistons coach Larry Brown said at the time. "I'm just embarrassed for our league and disappointed at being a part of this."
"I felt like I was fighting for my life out there," Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said.
NBA commissioner David Stern banished Artest for the remainder of the season, costing him 5.4 million dollars and effectively dooming the Pacers' title hopes before they had barely started.
In suspending eight other players for lesser spans, Stern called the melee "shocking, repulsive and inexcusable, a humiliation for everyone associated with the NBA".
The league created a code of conduct for NBA games that included tougher security and early ends to alcohol sales.
Imposed this season was an NBA dress code targeting players who arrived at games in hip-hop attire, with suspensions possible for fashion style violations.
Additionally, the NBA Cares program hopes to raise 100 million dollars for charity causes in NBA cities.
Artest is back on the court for the Pacers, who were off to a 4-3 start to the new season while the Pistons, who lost to San Antonio in last season's NBA final, were the last unbeaten team in the NBA at 7-0.
Both clubs have put the past behind them, preferring to leave the ugliness in the past.
"That's not what we're about," Artest said. "We've moved on."