Well, even Stern said he was taking into account more than this one event when dealing with Artest, he was singled out for his general disrespect for his team and the game.
Not just for going into the stands, because other players went into the stands, they got heave punishments as well, but Artest got what he got for starting it. The fan the threw the cup didn't start it, Artest started it by over reacting, and in the end causing an NBA game to be called on account of a riot. This isn't a simple, some guys got a little hot tempered, this is a case where thousands of people began to throw things at players and players were fighting fans on the court. He brought shame to the NBA, and should be punished for it. The fans brought shame, but the players are held to a higher standard. This isn't about morals, it is about the public perception of the organization that is the NBA. When the players act in a way that they are considered to be babies, the fans react accordingly by not going to as many games, not watching as many games on TV, and have discussions like the one we are having. His actions caused a change in the dynamic of two teams, one the defending national champions. Sometimes when you punish somebody you end up making an example out of them. Artest isn't taking all the punishment, there are others getting 30 and 35 game sustentions out of this as well. It's a PLASTIC cup, he was well out of line, and he should be blamed. -----Original Message----- From: Won Lee [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Monday, November 22, 2004 3:45 PM To: CF-Community Subject: Re: NBA I think this thread is getting a bit out of control. If you think the NBA should or can ban Artest for life because his actions then fine. I don't think I will be able to convince you. I can't give anyone a reason strong enough to change your moral pillars. If you think it was wrong then it was wrong. Just like some people feel about homo-sexual marriages. They know wrong when they see it. Their moral compass has been offended and the rest of the world will be taught to be good. I on the other hand, am unwilling to impose my morality on others. I was shocked and abhorred by his behavior. I thought he went a bit over the line. But I think Stern over-reacted. I think he didn't just punish Artest; he sent a message to all the other players. Kinda unfair that Artest had to bear the burden of that message though. I guess that is what makes it so effective though. -- 2004 - The year $184M couldn't buy a pennant. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~| Special thanks to the CF Community Suite Gold Sponsor - CFHosting.net http://www.cfhosting.net Message: http://www.houseoffusion.com/lists.cfm/link=i:5:137543 Archives: http://www.houseoffusion.com/cf_lists/threads.cfm/5 Subscription: http://www.houseoffusion.com/lists.cfm/link=s:5 Unsubscribe: http://www.houseoffusion.com/cf_lists/unsubscribe.cfm?user=89.70.5 Donations & Support: http://www.houseoffusion.com/tiny.cfm/54
