Ron Artest wanted a month off from the Indiana Pacers. He complained his ailing body was fatigued; that he was mentally exhausted after preparing and promoting his new record label, and he wanted to spend more time with his family. The Pacers wouldn’t give it to him, but the NBA was happy to accommodate him after the 25-year old charged mindlessly into the stands, setting off the worst melee in NBA history.
The NBA, after reviewing the tape which we have seen all too much, slapped Artest with a season ending 73-game suspension, officially giving him more than his desired month off. The league, which also suspended Pacers Stephen Jackson and Jermaine O’Neal for 30 and 25 games, respectively, officially placed its blame for the incident on the players.
All those who say athletes only listen when it hurts their pocketbooks can rest assured the young Pacers will listen, as they will combine to lose 10 million dollars while serving their suspensions.
However, one cannot solely blame the players for this horrendous occurrence. Everyone involved is at fault: the players, the drunken fans, and the Pistons’ security team. Which raises the question: Will all these parties be held responsible?
The players caught in the public eye will serve their time, but what of the ruthless and drunken fans that ignited the controversial Artest, threw chairs, beer, shouted racial slurs, and stormed the court? Will they be prosecuted for their role in provoking one of the most atrocious scenes in sports history? Sadly, we have already received the answer. No.
The Auburn Hills police department has already announced that charges will most likely not be filed against the majority of the brawl’s participants. The only exceptions are John Greene, the man who allegedly threw the beer that spurred Artest into the bleachers, and a John Doe who threw a chair. It leaves one wondering where justice is in the world today.
However, the most tragic results from the latest Detroit riot lie not in the horrific tape of the event itself, but in the aftermath that appears to be sweeping the sports world. Word is that many of the parties responsible are failing to express even the slightest remorse, or learn from the experience. Just one day after the Pistons/Pacers brawl the South Carolina and Clemson football teams were involved in an equally disgusting fight. Their response: “at least we kept it on the field.”
The question must be asked—what kind of message is being sent to young people such as ourselves, in the glorified disdain expressed for the situation? The only populace that seems to be scarred by the episode are those not directly involved.
Artest enjoys his months off and makes television appearances to promote his record label, the Pistons continue to insist there was ample security on duty, and Greene soaks up the attention, while at the same time having the audacity to deny his involvement despite video evidence. Meanwhile, parents across the nation are left seeking to rationalize the events with their children, and NBA fans are forced to hang their heads in shame.
One has to wonder what Artest has told his children of the fracas. “See what happens when Daddy gets upset?” What does Artest say to his teammates, the Pacers management, and fans, who saw their championship hopes crushed? Whatever Artest finally does say, it better be good; he has 11 long months to think about it.
Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the individual writer and are not necessarily held by The Poly or the sports department.
