Ron Artest

[JRutledge]

Originally posted by zebraman


LOL. Some of your most intelligent comments ever. LOL! Rut for NBA commissioner. LOL! Let's start letting murder defendents off the hook for self defense if the victim poured beer on them first. Good call.

You can be sarcastic all you like, but I never said that you do not punish the players or not take action. But I think the actions of the players and how the league handles it are two different things. I would suggest that what the league has done (suspensions) was too far and they are not taking action to prevent this type of behavior.

Originally posted by zebraman
The fans were idiots. Nobody is debating that. However, Artests and Jacksons actions were criminal and there is no justication for that.

So was the action of the fans. The throwing of the beer is assault. I say take them all to court over this issue.

Actually, the last time I went to an NBA game was about 10 years ago. Some drunken idiot behind me did spill beer on me and was swearing and being a dumbass from the opening whistle. Did I turn around and beat the heck out of him? Nope. I moved.[/B][/QUOTE]

What if that clown threw beer or any drink at your kids face? Do you really think you would just move on? And the issue is not about someone spilling a beer and being obnoxious. We are talking about someone throwing beer, a chair and other objects in the direction of players. Then coming onto the court and confronting players.

Originally posted by zebraman
Another option may have been to go get security to have him ejected. Even had it been intentional, spilling beer on someone is not the same as taking swings at someone which could maim or even kill.

I think you need to read my comments again. I did not say any action was justified. I said I understand. I think we were talking about blame here and how things got out of hand. And if you do not want someone to attack you, you do not throw things at them. If you do not want people to react to you, you do not say certain things to them. If you do not want to get hurt, try everything you can to keep yourself out of a situation in which you play no personal role.

Now the NBA took action, but I would sue the pants of the NBA and any other organization that allows fans to drink beer and act out of hand. I do not drink beer or much alcohol at all. I do not understand the need to sell beer and to drink beer at sporting events. If you cannot enjoy the game without getting drunk, I really will never understand that. You cannot sell beer at college sporting events for the most part. Fans enjoy themselves there. The NBA and these other leagues want to have a family atmosphere, yet they allow drinking and other less than responsible behavior to continue at games.

This was not the first time something like this happen, it will not be the last. I think all pro players have a right to be protected from this kind of fan behavior. And I think the NBA Player's Association has a legitimate beef with the NBA and so does MLB to file grievances with their respective leagues on how the fans have confronted players.

Peace