NBA brawl, a disgrace!

[not so fast]

This fight was one of the worst things I ever witnessed in professional sports. I think the NBA would be well served to start issuing tough suspensions, and look at bringing up more CBA players who bust thier butts night in and night out, and who gladly would play for less money.

I totally agree with Bill Walton on how disgraceful this riot was. ron artest should be banned for at least two years and only allowed back with therapy, and completion of a mental on going therapy sessions.

Quite frankly, I am sick of the whole hip hop culture, and it has now totally invaded professional sports, and the only way to stop it is with a complete no tolerance approach.

Integrity, respect, and humility, is not a part of this hip hop culture, so the people running all professional leagues must insist on it, or get rid of these thugs.

[noid]

Please excuse my ignorance, but I am not sure what the 'hip hop culture' has to do with the incident that took place in Detroit between the fans and the Pacers players.

[not so fast]

There is no question that this hip hop culture breeds these guys who don't respect anyone. and that whole image is based on violence, disrespect, and anger, which certainly played into a guy like jermain oneal doing what he did.

Do you think Bill Cartwright or even someone like sam perkins or kareem jabaar, would have ever punched a fan in the manor he did?

Hip hop is a pathetic culture that has instilled a viloent hate attitude in young african americans. I see this all the time. Whats even just as sad when so-called intelligent people rationalize it and are in denial about it!

[JAKMAN]

I hate to say this, but I laughed when I saw the brawl on Sportscenter. Don't ask why, but it was so surreal, stupid and pointless, how could you not laugh?

I predict the ABA will have a ton of brawls this year, just a hunch.

[noid]

Not so fast,

Which culture, then, would you suggest is responsible for the fans who feel it is ok to toss drinks, throw objects and yell insults and derogative remarks to these young athletes as they are on the court?

Don't get me wrong. I am not suggesting in any way that the behavior from the athletes was acceptable or funny (as JAKMAN would put it), but I do think that people should be very careful when making a comments such as the one you have made in reference to the 'hip hop culture'. The 'hip hop culture' does not promote violence any more so than the Hollywood industry or the video game industry. Yes, there are some RAP artist who unfortunately rap about the violence on the streets (particularly in neighborhoods that they are familiar with), but that is not the 'hip hop culture'. The 'hip hop culture' is made up of very successful business men/women who have contributed a great deal to the US ecomony is the music, apparel, and film industy. Some young African-Americans have become very successful businessmen/women in hip hop influenced industries thanks to pioneers, such as Russel Simmons.

I understand you wanting to point the finger at the 'hip hop culture' and it's influence on young African-Americans. I just feel there are a number of other factors that may play into why Ron Artest chose to go into the stands that night.

Just my opinion.

[not so fast]

I see your point, and I hate to paint with such a broad brush. But I am so sick of this rap and profanity,and images of violence, and that unless I'm seeing something different than you, it spews through B.E.T at a rapid pace, and I will say that many of these artists don't seem to care about the fallout of what they produce.

In addition, what a coincidence that a few days after ron artest says he needs time off to promote his hip hop CD, he has this explosion. somehow, I don't think his CD will resemble anything marvin gaye ever sung.

I can only hope that CBA players understand that they should try to be good citizens as well as players, because maybe one day, the NBA will factor that in, as well as talent. What good is ron artests talents now to the pacers?

Character still matters!

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

The more I see replays of the brawl, the more I see the fans being more at fault than Artest. A fan hit Artest with a drink first. What's up with that? I don't care how much you paid for your ticket, you don't have the right to assault a player. The altercation was on court between Ben Wallace and Ron Artest in the first place. How did this beer throwing fan factor into the equation? Artest's problem was that he did not beat the crap out of the right fan (and yes, he should sit out the rest of the season for hitting an innocent person).

The second fan rushed up to Artest on the basketball court--not the other way around. How stupid! If you're going to charge an athlete like that, then you better learn to lead with your left--not with your face (or take up kick boxing or something).

Ron Artest is producing an R & B CD, by the way. :wink:

[not so fast]

ken you continue to dissapoint me. First with your blind loyalty to the steelheads, then with this support of a madman like Artest. He is a thug pure and simple, does not deserve to be in the NBA.

What would you say if shelly clark climbs in the stands and starts whaling on one of your friends there in Gary?

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

If one of my friends hits Shelly Clark with a 16 ounce beer, then that person deserves to get their butt kicked by Shelly. As a matter of fact, if I am sitting anywhere nearby then I will point the offender out to Shelly. I don't want to get hit by mistake. :lol:

I don't disagree that Ron Artest is a mental case. I just don't think he deserved to have a drink thrown on him. For that matter, I think Ben Wallace was out of line. The foul didn't look that hard.

I will remain a huge Steelheads fan because that's all we have in Gary (besides the Railcats independent league baseball team).

[not so fast]

Now I see why Gary has one of highest crime rate of any city in America (congratulations). You can't take the law into your own hands. I would think you would point out the culprit to the Gary security so they can peacefully escort him to the station and book him. That seems a little more sensible. but hey, why not have riot in Gary, I mean who would know the difference anyway?

And by the way, you could support Purdue Calumet basketball as well, there in Gary.

[hkyfanforlife]

It is a shame what has happened to this sport. You never would have seen these antics years ago when Jordan and Byrd were playing. Remember the days when players were always seen looking respectable in a suit or other dressy clothes. Instead this game has become an individual sport. I touch on this b/c it is these attitudes that ruin the game. That these players are bigger than the game. Now believe me, don't for one second think these comments are inspired by racism because they are not. I saw Artest on the Today show today and all he did was plug is new cd, are you kidding me. Now not for nothing(and I am not ignorant enough to think I know how far his education went in college as I don't really follow him) but seeing how he presented himself and spoke today maybee he should have staid in school a little longer before going to thr NBA. A whole lot of ummms, and uhhhhhhs, oh yeah and "maybee you should watch the replay and answer that question for yourself". As someone who used to really like basketball, I find it hard to appreciate the sport now. Don't get me wrong fighting can sometimes be a part of the game. I played hockey all my life and fighting is a part of that game. My argument here is mainly what the sport has become in regards to appearance and how the players represent themselves off and on the court.

[not so fast]

These players must know who there audience is, and also never forget who pays them. These guys just don't get it. If the white fans, that they beat on don't pay for those tickets, they will be playing hoops at playgrounds all over america for free.

Its not my style to be politically correct, so I'm not about to start now.
The fact is, there are not enough middle class african americans too support these NBA salaries, so to think they can act anyway they want and keep the money flowing in, is not reality. If white America stops supporting the NBA, it will see dramatic changes in pay to these players. And ultimately, turn it into more of a "And One" type of audience, and the it no longer will be a major sport in America.