[jritchie]

Getting into this late, but all ARTEST did was get up in the stands and get in some guys face!!!! Before that no punches were thrown until he was covered with yet another cold beverage, which then led to his partner in crime to just throw a hay maker and knock his head off...at that point artest still has not thrown any punches even though he was covered by fans and was getting punched in the back of the head!!! i can see him getting suspended some games for going into the stands that is a NO NO, but costing him the season just because of his prior record was not appropriate..... the others did more than him, until it reached the floor and idiot fans got in his face again on his way out then i think he was protecting himself and punched his way out!!!!! if the fans get on the floor they are fair game, just like when artest got in the stands he was and they just jumped him!!! TOO HARSH OF PENALTY IN MY OPINION