Goodbye playoffs, Pacers

[endtroducing]

Pacers forward Ron Artest will be suspended by the NBA for a record 30 games, according to Fox Sports Radio ... Jermaine O'Neal and Stephen Jackson will be out of action for 20 games ...

HAHAHAHA.

[dude1394]

If this is official, it's not nearly enough.

[rakesh.s]

their team can still beat the bad teams without these three guys..

plus they're in the east, so they still have a shot at the playoffs

[Dirkenstien]

Originally posted by: endtroducing
Pacers forward Ron Artest will be suspended by the NBA for a record 30 games, according to Fox Sports Radio ... Jermaine O'Neal and Stephen Jackson will be out of action for 20 games ...

HAHAHAHA.

have you found a link to anywhere also claiming this?

[Dirkenstien]

If true I still think they have a good shot a making the playoffs albeit somewhere in the 6-8 spots.

[Dirkenstien]

Here is a link to an article discussing the punishment I found.

Link

[grndmstr_c]

Yeah, this probably won't knock them out of the playoffs, but going into the season I felt they were probably the most talented team in the East. If this costs them home court, which it almost certainly will, it could have a major impact on the outcome of the playoffs this season.

[Murphy3]

It's not enough..but, I'm proud with the decision by the NBA. They didn't swallow their nuts on this one.

[FishForLunch]

So what the F are they going to do about the Fans who caused this in the first place.

[dirno2000]

As bad as this incident looked for the Pacers, I could see it having a galvanizing effect on the team and wouldn’t be the least bit surprised to see them win the East. They may have been wrong, but when it came down to it, they’re three best players were in there swinging together.

The 1st round is now 7 games and it’s been proven that a team playing at a high level doesn’t necessarily need home court advantage. I wouldn’t count them out.

[FilthyFinMavs]

Originally posted by: FishForLunch
So what the F are they going to do about the Fans who caused this in the first place.

That's exactly what I want to know. Their punishments should be just as severe as these players. If you don't punish these fans than that tells me when the Spurs come to town I can just grab a chair and hit Duncan in the head and nothing will happen to me but Duncan will get suspended for 30 games which will knock the Spurs out of the playoff hunt. Something better be done to this idiots.

[grndmstr_c]

So what the F are they going to do about the Fans who caused this in the first place.

I'll ignore the misguided wording of the question and respond with another question (or three): what, exactly, are you expecting the league to do to the fans? Suspend them? Is it not obvious that dealing with the fans is a police matter?

[Murphy3]

Originally posted by: grndmstr_c

I'll ignore the misguided wording of the question and respond with another question (or three): what, exactly, are you expecting the league to do to the fans? Suspend them? Is it not obvious that dealing with the fans is a police matter?

I would expect the Pistons to revoke some season tickets from some people. But yeah, for the most part, the fans will be dealt with by the law as will Artest, Jackson, and probably O'Neal.

[ames7]

Shorter time than I expected for Artest at least. Indiana is clearly screwed.

Also? I can go ahead & kiss goodbye to one of my fantasy leagues. It's a deep league too & I gotta replace JO? SIGH.

[Big_Dog]

this may be irrevelant, but when a french soccer player named Eric Cantona who played for Man Utd in England few yers ago, charged into the stands and kicked a fan in the chest, he got banned from playing for 8 months. That incident was very ugly but not nearly as violent as the one that happened in Detroit.

[digit]

Cantona attack

[Big_Dog]

.

[Bayliss]

As bad as this incident looked for the Pacers, I could see it having a galvanizing effect on the team and wouldn’t be the least bit surprised to see them win the East. They may have been wrong, but when it came down to it, they’re three best players were in there swinging together.

I agree completely. Kind of a circle the wagons type of play. The Pacers could very easily have a winning record for that time because the team will play with more intensity/fight/energy than previously. Sometimes a wounded animal is a lot harder to kill than a healthy one.

[Murphy3]

Who's going to circle the wagons? Austin Croshere and Fred Jones?

[grndmstr_c]

The 1st round is now 7 games and it’s been proven that a team playing at a high level doesn’t necessarily need home court advantage. I wouldn’t count them out.

Whether or not they could make it out of the first round without homecourt could depend on matchups, though you have to figure as long as they aren't 7th or 8th the odds would be in their favor. Still, we're talking about a team that was expected to compete for a title this year. Even if they make it out of the first round they'd probably be looking at road series against Miami and Detroit in rounds 2 and 3 if they continued to advance. Those are tough matchups with home-court. The real difference could be in the finals if they made it that far, though. Without the suspensions I'd have put money on the Pacers to end up with a better record than whoever ends up representing the West because of the number of strong teams in the West. Such a scenario is extremely unlikely now even if the Pacers managed to overcome the odds to get that far. Add it all up and you have to admit this puts them behind the 8-ball at the least.

[Bayliss]

Who's going to circle the wagons? Austin Croshere and Fred Jones?

I haven't seen their schedule. But how many teams in the East can "beat" them? In the next 20 or 30 games, how many times does Indiana play Atlanta and Charlotte and New Orleans?

There is definitely hope that they can hold down the fort until the cavalry arrives.

(Btw, I got to quit using Western metaphors.)

[grndmstr_c]

Assuming the suspensions hold as reported, the Pacers are looking at the following 19 games till JO and Jackson come back:
Boston
Minnesota
Charlotte (2nd of back to back)
@Seattle
@Clippers
@Sacramento
@Golden State (2nd night of back to back)
Milwaukee
@Milwaukee
Sacramento
@Atlanta
Toronto
@Chicago (2nd of back to back)
Philly
Detroit
New Orleans
@Charlotte
@New Jersey (2nd of back to back)
Milwaukee

The next ten till Artest comes back:
@SA
@Dallas
@Phoenix (2nd of back to back)
@Memphis
Phoenix
Orlando (2nd of back to back)
@Houston
@New Orleans(2nd of back to back)
@Miami
Washinton(2nd of back to back)

With their current injury situation and the suspended players there are a lot of losses waiting to happen in there, the Pacers talent base is simply decimated right now.

[grndmstr_c]

Something better be done to this idiots.

No doubt. And I'm sure something will be done. The NBA is in damage control mode at the moment, but you can bet they also want to protect their players. Their lawyers will certainly be in touch with the Detroit prosecutors to see that an example is set for both sides. It's just that the only recourse against the fans has to be legal (outside of banning them from attending another NBA game, of course), and that's of necessity a more time-consuming process. Be patient.

[dude1394]

They should prosecute the fan who was stopping artests fist with his face for endangering him.

[grndmstr_c]

Official report on the suspensions just came down via ESPN. Artest is done for the year. Jackson's out for 30 games, JO's out for 25. Ben Wallace for 6. Anthony Johnson for 5. Four others who's names I haven't found yet suspended for one game.

[FilthyFinMavs]

Originally posted by: grndmstr_c
Official report on the suspensions just came down via ESPN. Artest is done for the year. Jackson's out for 30 games, JO's out for 25. Ben Wallace for 6. Anthony Johnson for 5. Four others who's names I haven't found yet suspended for one game.

Those are insane suspensions. For the year? Jackson get's 30 games? Shouldn't that be reversed? Ben Wallace 6? Looks like the league is basically saying we are on the side of the fans on this one and believe it's okay to jump on the court and hit an NBA player just as long as they don't hit back. I'm surprised Tinsley didn't get any suspension. I saw him swinging on some guys also.


BTW, why exactly was JO suspended for 25 games? Was it when he got the chair thrown at him or was it the Mortalk Kombat-esque hit that he gave the one guy who jumped on the court in the first place?

[toucandave]

JO got 25 because he was close to getting 25 years for manslaughter. That dude he hit was NO threat to anybody.

[Murphy3]

Wallace should be suspended according to how many games other players have been suspended in the past for pushing another player.

[SeriousSummer]

Wallace shouldn't have gotten more than 2 games. Still, I don't have a real problem with the longer suspension. Friday began a new day in the NBA and I think any incident from now on is likely to get comparably long suspensions.

Now we just need the referees to cut back on the contact that they are allowing, then we might begin seeing the beautiful game again.

[SeriousSummer]

Wallace shouldn't have gotten more than 2 games. Still, I don't have a real problem with the longer suspension. Friday began a new day in the NBA and I think any incident from now on is likely to get comparably long suspensions.

Now we just need the referees to cut back on the contact that they are allowing, then we might begin seeing the beautiful game again.

Edit: Well, I guess if it's worth saying once, then it's worth saying twice.

[FilthyFinMavs]

Wanted: Fan Who Threw First Cup
Prosecutor Says Fans, Players Could Face Criminal Charges

POSTED: 11:25 am EST November 22, 2004
UPDATED: 12:23 pm EST November 22, 2004

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- The Detroit Pistons fan suspected of throwing a beverage on Indiana Pacers' player Ron Artest, reportedly leading to Friday night's brawl, has been identified and is wanted for questioning, according to Detroit station WDIV-TV.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Video: Watch Brawl
Slideshow: Images Of Chaos
Slideshow: Players, Coaches React
Survey: Artest's Punishment?
Survey: Blame For Fight?
Discuss: Your Thoughts?
Wil's Blog: What's Next?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Police have identified the fan -- believed to have thrown the first beer at the Indiana Pacers' Ron Artest -- as John Green, of West Bloomfield, a suburb of Detroit.


Police have identified this fan -- believed to have thrown the first beer at the Indiana Pacers' Ron Artest -- as John Green, of the Detroit suburb of West Bloomfield.


John Green, of West Bloomfield, was caught on tape throwing his cup of beer, WDIV reported. The act reportedly sent Artest into a rage in the stands, where players and fans fought during the game between the Pistons and the Pacers at The Palace of Auburn Hills.

While Artest was sprawled on his back on a scorer's table, away from a scuffle on the court, Green, who was identified over the weekend as "the fan in the white hat," apparently threw the plastic cup of beer. Artest then jumped up and charged into the stands, throwing punches as he climbed over seats.

Green stepped aside and another person took the initial blow, according to reports. The tape of Friday's fight then shows the man attacking Artest from behind.

Green was expected to speak with Auburn Hills police Sunday night, but did not appear, the station reported. He is reportedly a season-ticket holder at The Palace.

"I think that's what escalated the whole situation. We're certainly wanting to interview that individual. That individual knows who he is. I suggest he should turn himself in to be questioned by the Auburn Hills Police Department," said Oakland County Prosecutor David Gorcyca. "If he doesn't, I can assure you we will locate him."

Gorcyca said the investigation will begin with Green, who is believed to have thrown the first cup. Meanwhile, the prosecutor's office is expected to announce charges against 25 to 50 other fans who participated in the fight at The Palace.

Gorcyca said anyone who threw a cup or a punch -- including players and fans -- could face criminal charges.

"The throwing of an object and striking someone constitutes an assault," said Gorcyca.

Previous Story:
November 22, 2004: Report: Fan In White Hat May Have Sparked Brawl
Copyright 2004 by TheIndyChannel.com All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

I can now rest a happy man lol. This guy should get charged for inciting a riot.

[Fidel]

Originally posted by: Murphy3
Wallace should be suspended according to how many games other players have been suspended in the past for pushing another player.

After seeing a better video of what happened (the one that I had before was kinda small) I have to strongly disagree. Wallace acted like a total punk and is very lucky he got away with just a five game suspension. Not only did he overreact after a hard foul and shoved Artest. He also continued to go after Artest and even through a towel after him. He did provoke him right until the bottle was thrown. Looking at what the Pacers got Wallace should have gotten much more then just five games. He was one of the main reasons the situation escalated.

[jthig32]

Originally posted by: toucandave
JO got 25 because he was close to getting 25 years for manslaughter. That dude he hit was NO threat to anybody.

That dude he hit had just gotten up off the floor after attacking Artest. If anyone of the suspensions were lengthened because of what happened with fans on the court, then that is absurd. Once the fans are on the court, going after players, all bets are off. At that point it's men defnending themselves against other men.

[harsh euro barge]

Billups
Campbell
Reggie Miller
Coleman

[MavKikiNYC]

N.B.A. Suspends Artest for Rest of Season
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Published: November 21, 2004


NEW YORK -- Ron Artest was suspended for the rest of the season Sunday as the NBA came down hard on three members of the Indiana Pacers for fighting with fans as a game against the Detroit Pistons degenerated into a melee.

Nine players from the teams were banned for a combined 143 games, including some of the harshest penalties the league has ever issued. Artest is the first player to be suspended for nearly an entire season for a fight during a game.

Indiana's Stephen Jackson was suspended for 30 games and Jermaine O'Neal for 25. Detroit's Ben Wallace -- whose shove of Artest after a foul led to the five-minute fracas -- drew a six-game ban, while Pacers guard Anthony Johnson got five games.

Four players were suspended for a game apiece: Indiana's Reggie Miller and Detroit's Chauncey Billups, Elden Campbell and Derrick Coleman.

All the suspensions are without pay.

Artest, O'Neal and Jackson -- who all threw punches at fans in the stands or on the court at the end of the nationally televised game Friday night -- began serving their suspensions Saturday. Indiana, limited to just six players because of the suspensions and injuries, dropped an 86-83 decision to Orlando.

[MavKikiNYC]

These penalites will be appealed and may end up being reduced. Regardless, it's the correct message by the NBA to say that it will NOT permit its players to assault fans with impunity--as Artest, Jackson, and O'Neal did.

Let's see if the NBAPA has the gumption to back the league in this punishment.

[dude1394]

Sounds about right. Proud of 'em.

[dude1394]

If they are appealed maybe the league should then counter-sue by doubling them. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

[madape]

Indana was once a nice organization. I used to be a fan. Well I'm not any more. This is the most classless organization in the history of the NBA. Much worse than any of those Trail Blazer teams. I'll be watching closely to how the franchise responds to this. If they have any class (which I'm beginning to doubt). They will quickly sever ties with all the players involved and re-biuild the franchise with good, level headed, sane players.

It was a strict penalty handed down by the league. It sent a clear message that this kind of behavior won't be tolerated in the NBA. Now the question is, will this kind of behavior be tolerated by the Pacers? I guess we'll find out soon. But considering how often they've looked the other way with Artest, I doubt we'll see much of anything other than endless whining about the suspension.

[MavKikiNYC]

I've always had the sense that the Pacers were somewhat under the gun with Artest. They couldn't allow his behavior to dictate a release, and he was too valuable an asset for them to just cut and allow a conference rival like the NYKs to pick up.

These suspensions are a big blow to the Indiana franchise, and they will have to be very resourceful to negotiate the damage done to their team by Artest.

I think Walsh and Bird and Carlisle deserved better.