[spacefreak]

Pacers-Pistons Brawl a Low Moment for NBA

Players and fans exchanged punches in the stands in one of the worst NBA brawls ever, leaving several people injured and prompting a police investigation.

After several minutes of players fighting with fans in the stands, a chair, beer, ice and popcorn were thrown at the Pacers as they made their way to the locker room. About a half-dozen people were treated for injuries at the arena in suburban Detroit, one was taken to a hospital by ambulance and another sought treatment, police said Saturday.

"It's the ugliest thing I've seen as a coach or player," said Detroit's Larry Brown, who started coaching in 1972 after his playing career ended.

Just when it appeared tempers had died down, Artest was struck by a cup thrown from the stands and jumped up and charged into the stands, throwing punches as he climbed over seats.

"He was on top of me, pummeling me," fan Mike Ryan of Clarkston said. "He asked me, 'Did you do it?' I said, 'No, man. No!'"

Jackson joined Artest in the melee and threw punches at fans, who punched back at them.

Security personnel and ushers tried to break it up. Former Pistons player Rick Mahorn, who was seated courtside as a Detroit radio analyst, tried to stop the brawl in the stands. Detroit's Rasheed Wallace and Indiana's David Harrison were also in or near the stands trying to break up the fights.

Later, a man in a Pistons jersey approached Artest on the court, shouting at him. Artest punched him in the face, knocking him to the floor. Teammate Jermaine O'Neal stepped in and punched another man who joined the scrum.

I am trying to find a video of this. MSNBC has a video, but when clicked, it states that it won't work with my system, and NBA.com requires a subscription to view the game highlights.

Anyone know of a place where a good video of this melee is posted?

[davidflas]

Check out this thread for video of the melee...

[Feathers]

There seems to be a disconcerting decline in spectator behaviour everywhere. Just last week during a soccer match between England and Spain (in Spain), every time one of the black England players gained possession of the ball, 40,000 Spanish fans would start making what were described as "monkey noises". This also harks back to the not-so-recent past where fans would literally throw bananas onto the pitch at black players.

Disturbing times, perhaps Spain's current "social and cultural" veneer hides a strong swing back towards their fascist past? Of course, they were one of the few European countries who did openly support the Bush-Rumsfeld invasion of Iraq.

Does anybody know what actually sparked the NBA fight? Was it also a "race" thing?

[wdlove]

The players should stay out of the stands period.

[Zimphire]

Punks.

[legacyb4]

Not really following NBA this year, but it sounds like Artest is the antagonist of the whole thing...

[spacefreak]

Originally posted by davidflas:
Check out this thread for video of the melee...

Thanks.

Sorry for posting the same story. I promised I glanced through the threads to see if it was already discussed. Damn flu.

[ManOfSteal]

ESPN Motion Video of the brawl.

Players = Idiots

Fans = Idiots

[brapper]

Originally posted by manofsteal:
ESPN Motion Video of the brawl.

Players = Idiots

Fans = Idiots

exactly. neither are without guilt.
but really of all players, as if it had to be Artest.
He'll get zero sympathy.