NBA suspends Pacers' Artest for rest of season after Detroit brawl

[GermanStar]

NEW YORK (AP) -- Ron Artest was suspended for the rest of the season Sunday, and two of his Indiana Pacers teammates must miss a total of 55 games for fighting with fans during a melee that broke out at the end of a game against the Detroit Pistons.

Overall, the NBA issued some of the harshest penalties in its history by banning nine players for more than 140 games. Artest's suspension is the strongest ever levied for a fight during a game.

"The line is drawn, and my guess is that won't happen again -- certainly not by anybody who wants to be associated with our league," commissioner David Stern said.


The rest of the story is at SI.com


Hopefully, this guy will also be looking at some jail time before this is over....

[renyf1]

Well now I guess Artrest can promote his upcoming album without any bball committments :-)

This is guy is a very talented player thats needs a serious head check.

I think the entire season is a bit too much but players going into the stands to get to a fan can not happen....ever. Now I do understand that the fan threw a drink at him and that is kind of dangerous because their jobs depend on them being healthy and the next time it happens who can predict it would only be a drink ?

[Snibble]

I can picture Fox putting together a new show right about now.... entitled "When NBA players Attack!"

[neanderthal]

i think its a little harsh, but it sends a message to the other players.

[mzsmbs]

this is total bunk. NBA and the Pisstons are getting away with way too much here. Blaming Ron Artest for everythig seems just too convinient. Where was the security? Why was Reggie Miller suspended? 25 game for O'neal? WTF???

Pisstons are going to be in Indy soon enough. we shall see what happens then.... The person that started all this mess was Ben Wallace and he gets 6 games... give me a break...sheesh...

This ruling basically gives a card blanche to roudy fans... Not cool at all...

[GermanStar]

I don't care what fans do -- professional multi-millionaire athletes cannot attack paying fans under any circumstance. I'll be sorely disappointed is this idiot doesn't face felony charges.