ABC says suspensions are indefinite

[Slomo]

Thoes Detriot fans are a disgrace, they should be punished big time aswell as the players. I couldn't belive fans would do such a thing, like when the Pacers were leaving the court so much beer was thrown at them. DISCRACE

You're complaining about the spilled beer, right?

[Supergirl]

No, I haven't seen the video, except briefly in the 11:00 news last night. Not enough to see the details. But the Globe gave a blow by blow accounting of what they saw, and they reported that after Artest was on the scorers' table, there was a brief lull when the teams went to their huddles, and then the violence started up again when a fan dumped stuff on the Pacers' huddle.

Regarding Wallace, the same article may not have said punched but definitely indicated that Wallace was out of line in coming after Artest after the foul.

I'm trying to find a link to the article I read.

[Marcus Bryant]

My take on Artest's foul is that it was unnecessary. The game was decided. He was beat by Wallace to the basket. Given Artest's history it is not surprising that Wallace thought it was intentionally meant to hurt him.

[Kori Ellis]

I believe it was reported that the person who Artest attacked wasn't even the one who threw the drink.

That's true. And while Artest was pummeling him, he was asking him "Was it you?"

Artest wasn't even sure at the time that he had the right guy.

[Kori Ellis]

No, I haven't seen the video, except briefly in the 11:00 news last night. Not enough to see the details. But the Globe gave a blow by blow accounting of what they saw, and they reported that after Artest was on the scorers' table, there was a brief lull when the teams went to their huddles, and then the violence started up again when a fan dumped stuff on the Pacers' huddle.

Regarding Wallace, the same article may not have said punched but definitely indicated that Wallace was out of line in coming after Artest after the foul.

I'm trying to find a link to the article I read.

We've all seen that article. It's posted here. We are just saying that you should maybe watch the tape and form your own opinion. The fans were out of line. But Jackson and Artest can't be defended.

[Marcus Bryant]

Artest laid on the table for some time and it was when he was there that he was hit with the . Watch the tape.

[Marcus Bryant]

That's true. And while Artest was pummeling him, he was asking him "Was it you?"

Artest wasn't even sure at the time that he had the right guy.

That kid just won the lottery.

[TheWriter]

Here's the video:

http://mfile.akamai.com/12942/wmv/vo...35750.200k.asx

[TheWriter]

That kid just won the lottery.

His friend won more.

He got clocked by Jackson for throwing the liquid at Artest and trying to stop Artest from attacking his friend.

[rl64tx]

I believe the guy that threw the drink was the one in the hat and wallace shirt, he was holdin Artest and jackin his jaw at the same time!!!! While Artest was whalin on another dude......... You're right that dude jus hit the lottery!!!!

[Kori Ellis]

What do you think about the two guys who came on to the floor and consequently got hit by Artest, Johnson and then O'Neal. Of course, they shouldn't have come on the floor, but they didn't attack the players. Do you think they'll cash in on big lawsuits too? Or because they went on the floor they do not have a good case?

The guy who got laid out by O'Neal should definitely have a case, I'd think.

[Slomo]

Supergirl
JB posted this link in another thread, it's very good quality DiVX video of the whole thing, jsut a bit big (80MB file).

[rl64tx]

What do you think about the two guys who came on to the floor and consequently got hit by Artest, Johnson and then O'Neal. Of course, they shouldn't have come on the floor, but they didn't attack the players. Do you think they'll cash in on big lawsuits too? Or because they went on the floor they do not have a good case?

The guy who got laid out by O'Neal should definitely have a case, I'd think.

Ifeel if a fan comes out on the floor they are free game, they have no business being on the floor and where in the were the cops???

Is the Pacers asst coach being suspended (Brown)?

[TheWriter]

That file is gone.

Did anyone save it?

[timvp]

Those two fat guys didn't really do anything. They went on the court ... but when chaos is breaking out, one can argue that the court could be a safe haven. It wasn't like they went after Artest. Artest left the crowd and wandered over there and those two just happened to be there.

The guy didn't even put his fists up like he was going to fight, yet Artest punched him anyways. And then his friend tackled him to get Artest off him and then that's around the time that O'Neal decided to play Mike Tyson's Punchout on his azz.

[Slomo]

That file is gone.

Did anyone save it?

I did, hold on I'll put it on a server, just give me a few minutes.

[Kori Ellis]

Ifeel if a fan comes out on the floor they are free game, they have no business being on the floor and where in the were the cops???

Free game meaning someone can beat the out of them without provocation?

If someone stands in my front yard, I can make them leave. But I don't think I beat them up just because they shouldn't be there.

[Supergirl]

In no way was I defending Artest or Jackson. Personally I think all three Pacers should be suspended for the year, Wallace for at least a couple weeks, and the fans should have criminal charges filed against them. The fans who were assaulted should file criminal charges against some of the players, too.

It's bull . These guys make millions of dollars to play basketball. Get over your egos and your testosterone. The NBA has put up with players getting too rough for too many years.

While the riot was happening, I was listening to the Spurs-Celtics game, and the announcers were calling several fouls that were clearly flagrant against Duncan but that were not called at all by the refs. And Duncan still, like always, kept his composure.

[rl64tx]

That file is gone.

Did anyone save it?

http://mfile.akamai.com/12942/wmv/vod.ibsys.com/2004/1120/3935750.200k.asx

[Supergirl]

FYI the article I was referring (I haven't seen it here yet) was by Peter May:

http://www.boston.com/sports/article...low_point?pg=2

[rl64tx]

Free game meaning someone can beat the out of them without provocation?

If someone stands in my front yard, I can make them leave. But I don't think I beat them up just because they shouldn't be there.

But the players have nowhere to go they have to be protected..... what if those chumps had some kind of weapon??

[bonesinaz]

I think that any fan involved in last night's craziness will get big bucks. The NBA, the Pacers and Detroit will want this to go away fast. The best way to do that is settle. The sums will be hefty.

Ron Artest now belongs in a psych hospital.

[TheWriter]

Did anyone here that the big mofo beating on Fred Jones was Ben Wallace's brother.

[Marcus Bryant]

O'Neal hit that guy when the scuffle between him and Artest was over and had been for a good 10 seconds or so.

If I recall correctly, that dude wandered into the bench area and then Artest when after him. But Artest couldn't even land a punch on him.

I'm sure a decent trial attorney could come up with a claim against Artest, O'Neal, the Pacers, the Pistons, the management & ownership of the Palace, and the NBA.

[TheWriter]

O'Neal hit that guy when the scuffle between him and Artest was over and had been for a good 10 seconds or so.

If I recall correctly, that dude wandered into the bench area and then Artest when after him. But Artest couldn't even land a punch on him.

I'm sure a decent trial attorney could come up with a claim against Artest, O'Neal, the Pistons, the management & ownership of the Palace, and the NBA.

Actually that was the first guy. His friend pushed Artest away and Artest pushed that guy done. Then Johnson began beating him. When they got Johnson off of him the guy began to get up, that's when Oneal clocked him.