Atrest should be suspended for the season

[sportsbet]

It's not self-defense. He took it upon himself to go into the stands and attempt to attack the fans. He could've ran the other way into the locker room. He made the choice to run into the stands and it escalated from there. Self-Defense isn't a viable defense in this case JM.

sb

 

[sportsbet]

Artest has said in the past when he was involved in incidents with fans he should've "walked away". How many times is he going to say it before actually doing it? ESPN just had the Oakland County prosecutor on again and he said Artest and O'Neal are the two players that could be facing charges if they decide to go ahead. It will take weeks to sort this out though. It's just a black eye for the league all the way around.

sb

 

[Matt24]

Actually it is because that one guy hit him in the back of the head 2 or 3 times, that is the guy that Artest got a partial punch in when Artest got down to the floor reaching back up before he walked back onto the court. Then on the court 2 guys approached him looking like they were going to do something, looked like the one clenched his fists.

 

[Matt24]

and what are they saying about the big black guy and the guy in the baseball hat?

 

[Journeyman]

I agree SB, if he doesn't go into the stands perhaps the idiot Detroit fans don't do anything else...Maybe a few beers dumped on the Pacers as they exit...

I am not siding with Artest at all, he's always looking for trouble, and hopefully this time the league suspends him for a long time...Unfortunately these guys make more money than they could ever spend, so what's his real punishment?

 

[sportsbet]

They just had an attorney on ESPN saying there is no way Artest could use self-defense because everything happened after he initiated the confrontation with the fans in the stands. He initiated the confrontation so he can't cry self-defense.

sb

 

[sportsbet]

They'll charge some fans there is no doubt about that. Certain fans were aggressors and they should be charged with assaulting players without being provoked. It's just that the Pacer players that initiated the confrontations can't use self-defense as a viable defense.

sb

 

[Journeyman]

How can you say he initiated it, the fans were throwing objects at him, suppose he got hit in the eye and was blinded in one eye?

Remember Zeus Brown and the Cleveland game , referee incident? He should have never went into the stands, I agree.... but what kind of moron throws object at someone ?

 

[sportsbet]

That's the way it always is JM. NBA too much money not enough common sense.

They're saying Artest initiated the physical assault. Can Artest claim he was assaulted with a cup of ice? Sure it could've hurt him but the fan didn't run down to him and start attacking him physically. The fan can be held accountable for throwing a cup at the player but when Artest ran into the stands and started assaulting people he initiated the physcial confrontation.

He could've been hurt by the cup. But he wasn't...and the tape will show he was ok enough to jump up and run into the stands and start assaulting people. If he runs into the hallway and into the locker room no one else is involved. Just an idiot throwing stuff at him.

sb

 

[Matt24]

That is one attorney's opinion. Because I know for a fact that if a guy punches you in the back of the had then you have a right to punch him back, so what I am saying is that guy can't press charges on Artest, there is just no frickin way.

 

[Journeyman]

the guy in the hat , he was the guy that started it, correct? he was the one holding Artest and at one point just decided to drill him from behind...That guy should be charged.

 

[Matt24]

funny you mention that Jman, cuz I was thinking the same thing as I was driving today. I was thinking how they were throwing clothes at Oneal and I thought how strange but then when I think about it, how bout if a zipper just catches you in the eye right or whatever, its the same reason why I tell my friend he is a dumbhsit every time we eat out and he takes the straw and blows the cover at my face. Just what if it puts your eye out

 

[Matt24]

The guy in the hat is the guy who threw the cup, I'm pretty sure that is what Espn showed last night. WHO IS THE BIG BLACK GUY?? Someone figure that out

 

[sportsbet]

I hear you Matt...but if he doesn't run into the stands does he get punched in the back of the head? Would there have been fights in the stands with players if the players had run into the locker room?

Artest made the decision to run into the crowd. If he doesn't...there is no punch in the back of the head.

sb

 

[sportsbet]

I agree with you about the guy with the cup. He is an instigator and he did throw punches. He should be charged with assault at LEAST.

sb

 

[Matt24]

I'm not siding with Artest at all, he shouldnt have went into the stands. I'm just saying that guy who threw the cup and threw the punches from behind has no legal standing I would think. (I have only taken one law course, so of course I don't know much, but I'm pretty sure he is as fucked as anyone in this situation)

 

[Journeyman]

Yeah the rotund fat black guy in the suit was throwing some haymakers Matt...the part I did find omewhat comical was when the fat kid/guy with the uniform jersey on comes out and squares off with Artest on the court, Artest took one look at him and drilld him...and the other fat guy (maybe it was the same guy) that O'Neal drops...they both came out onto the court....

A real shame , the ref getting drilled with what was it a can or bottle, that looked serious!

 

[royalfan]

It isn't a question of whether or not he threw a punch in the stands. It's the fact that he went into the stands at all. If Artest doesn't jump into the stands all they have is a suspension for Wallace for his reaction to the foul and one idiot that security could handle. This incident escalated to fisticuffs AFTER Artest ran into the stands.

sb

More dumb logic. If wallace hadn't started it in the first place, artest wouldn't have ended up in the stands either, so why not blame it on Ben with your dumb ass logic.

 

[DickyW]

Royal

You have the balls to say other posters logic is dumb? The altercation between Wallace and Artest happens a mininum of a half a dozen times a year. The fact you blame Wallace for Artest going into the crowd makes you the most ignorant poster in this thread. Ben Wallace just buried a relative so I have no idea where his head was at in the brawl. As for Artest we all know where his head is at.

 

[sportsbet]

If wallace hadn't started it in the first place, artest wouldn't have ended up in the stands either, so why not blame it on Ben with your dumb ass logic.

Dicky's right. Blaming Wallace for Artest going into the stands is just plain ignorant. You obviously didn't watch any of the fight or the aftermath. Here's an idea. Go find a replay of the fight, watch it, and then come back and edit your comments so you don't look so ignorant.

sb<!-- / message -->