Quote:
Originally posted by JRutledge
Wouda, couda, shouda, but didnt.
I agree that Artest should not have approached the fan in any way. But I understand why he did and think many others would do the same. When you throw something at anyone, be prepared for their reaction. When Artest went into the stands, he should be prepared for the reaction as well. I really have no problem with what his teammates did at all, because they were getting their teammate of a bad situation. They had every right to hit whoever was attacking them. The fans when they came onto the floor should have been prepared for the reaction the received as well.
Players should not have their space violated. Whether it is a thrown object or the presence of people threatening them directly, the players have a right to work in a place that they do not have to put up with that kind of behavior. If you really want to talk about morals and professionalism, let us address the use of alcohol at sporting events. Let us address how if that kind of behavior was in any other segment of society, they people would not be allowed to participate in the event.
Like I have always said here, you can be right and wrong at the same time. Maybe Artest will loose some games and so will his teammates. Yes the fans did not deserve being attacked. But just because you do something, does not mean someone will not react to you. In many circles the action of this fan would have brought much more than a couple of punches to his face. I blame them first because they were the spark that started the fire. And individuals that had nothing to do with the altercation continued their despicable behavior. There where children around and in the area. None of these adults took any account of that.
Peace
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Actually a player DID start this, Ben Wallace started it. When he over-reacted to Artest's foul and clocked Artest. He then continued after Artest by throwing a towel at Artest while he lay on the scorer's table.
Let's put it in a different context. Someone is in a parking lot outside a bar and some drunken idiot throws a beer at them, they get in their car and drive through dozens of innocent people to run over the beer thrower.
Justified?