November 22, 2004

Though I'm not what you'd call a rabid NBA fan, I do watch a game every now and again - when nothing else is on, when there is a good "story line," or when the playoffs roll around. I also try to hit a few Bullets Wizards games per year, not because I love the team but because I like to get out and support my local sports teams every now and again (even thought I HATE the "Wizards" for their ill-conceived and despicable name change.)

Also, I would get out and support the Wizards more often if the tickets weren't so ridiculously priced - this is a team that hasn't come close to selling out for YEARS, yet they still maintain championship-level ticket prices. It baffles me, really - the cheapest Wizards ticket is $40 at the gate. What in the hell is that? You can't even fill 1/4 of the arena, yet you keep ticket prices at this level? Are you completely retarded? (The only time I ever go to a game is when I get a "deal" on eBay. I wouldn't pay $40 for nosebleed seats to see this crappy team.)

But I'm not presently writing to complain about NBA prices.

I'm writing to say that I think that Ron Artest, the always self-serving, always short-tempered, alwyas violent punk got way too light of a "punishment" for his actions on Friday night.

In case you've been living in a cave, or if you live in a "no sports zone" (same thing), Ron Artest, an NBA Basketball player, hopped into the stands and started beating the hell out of a couple of spectators after he was "provoked" by some unruly fan throwing a cup of ice at him. A few minutes later, the cameras caught Artest cold-clocking a second fan (who, fairly, had no business being on the court) who walked up to him and said a few words.

The well documented display that night was disgusting. I was equally disgusted with ESPN's coverage of the event, as both ESPN and ESPNEWS repeatedly showed the clip, and had announcer after announcer defending Artest and blaming the fans (or the NBA) for the altercation.

Yes, the fans were unruly. No one should throw anything onto the court. But Artest's actions after being hit in the chest with a (plastic) cup if ice are flat out inexcusable - this hot-headed jackass jumped into the stands and starting beating the hell out of a fan. And his teammate followed him, and started throwing punches at another fan. Later, a fan walked on to the court and Artest flat out cold clocked him, no questions asked.

That night, the ESPN announcers all defended Artest by blaming the fans, saying "you have to know that when a man is as charged up as Artest was, you can't mess with him," and "this is an emotional game, you can't expect an emotional player to not react in an emotional way." It was one anti-fan pro-Artest opinion after another, after another, after another. And it was all

Bullshit.

Artest deserves to be banned from the NBA for the rest of his life. And, really, I'm partly surprised that Commissioner David Stern didn't hand down that exact punishment.

Artest has a history of outrageous behavior. In the past, he has gotten into a fight with an opposing coach, he has purposely smashed a television camera, and he has, in his rage, thrown a television monitor across an NBA floor. This guy can't control his temper. This guy is a liability - a liability to himself, the NBA, and to the fans - to everyone around him, really - and the NBA knows it.

The fact that they continue to let him "play" is just plain ridiculous. They benefit from his playing, and they benefit from his "bad boy" image. In short, they are responsible, adn thus liable, for his actions. I hope that these fans get lawyers bright enough to realize that they should sue the NBA in this regard.

The ESPN talking heads are currently hailing this year long suspension as "the harshest ever handed down," and are starting to weigh in on how appropriate they think it is, even if "a little on the harsh side."

"Harsh?" Are you kidding me? Artest not only "crossed the line," but he was so far over it, I think there is no coming back. Yes, he got hit with a cup of ice, and the fan was wrong for throwing it. But so what? Artest could have ignored it. He could have walked away. He could have motioned for security to escort the ice-thrower out of the arena. It's not like he had no options here. He chose to jump up and run into the stands. On his way, he knocked over tables, he knocked over chairs, he knocked over PEOPLE, children even - all to grab and flat out deck a fan that he "guessed" threw the cup. That's right, there is no way that Artest could have known who threw the cup. Watch the tape - he was laying flat on his back, looking straight up when he was hit.

Ron Artest should never set foot on an NBA floor again. This "harsh" suspension that was handed down is nothing short of ridiculous. The man has proven time and time again that he is incapable of controlling himself when he gets "worked up." He is a liability to his team, to the fans, and to the league.

The NBA needed to send two messages with its ruling. To players, they needed to say "Jumping into the stands will not be tolerated, the fans are not a part of the game." To fans, they needed to say "You will be safe here at NBA games, please keep paying the big $ for the best seats."

Unfortunately, they failed at both.

Posted by jkhat at November 22, 2004 01:49 AM

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