Fans' view: What do you think?
FOXSports.com
You've seen the video, saw photos and read the commentary from Friday night's ugly incident during the Pacers-Pistons game, and fans have plenty of opinions of what transpired and who should be blamed.
FOXSports.com wants to hear what you think of Friday night's riot in Detroit. Keep checking back because we'll keep picking out the best of the comments.
------------------------------------
Undoubtetly this is the worst day in basketball history. What transpired at the end of the game was dispicable to say the least. I, along with my 7 year old niece watched in horror as the fight progressed into the stands over just a simple game of basketball. A game! I cannot and refuse to comprehend it. And in doing so I find myself not knowing how to ease my niece's fears over an upcoming Laker game we are planning to attend. She doesn't want to go anymore. — Jose
I grew up in Boston enjoying many championships. Basketball was my favorite sport to play. That said, the NBA holds no interest for me anymore. Please don't dismiss my statements as prejudice. I have none, just simple observations of the facts. Today the NBA is filled with thugs who offer nothing to society. Sadly, we as a society are entralled watching this soap opera, so we are as much to blame. I don't really no what the solution is and I expect it to get only worse. — Doug
The word "sport" once implied a standard of courage, discipline and honor. The athelete never saw himself as omnipotant, nor was there ever an intent to physically harm your opponent. I played 9 years of fairly high level football. As a player, linebacker, my responsibility was not to injure my opponent, but to hit hard, tackle cleanly and always celebrate the "team" aspect far and above any individual glory. In fact, to do otherwise, marked you as a glory-hound. Quickly, that individual found themselves ostracized and alone. The core of that behavior marked the person as insecure and inadiquate, and certaintly not a "sportsman." People who obsessively cry, "Hey, look at me," have soured the true meaning of sportmanship. Me-ism now seems to be acceptable and dominates sport at almost all levels. Perhaps, in part, it is an inditement against any aspect of society that sublimates its own hatered by honoring the rich, violent and selfesh. — Kimball
All players who went into to stands are out for the year with no pay. All players who fought on the floor are out one month with no pay. Indiana and Detroit forfiet there number one draft choice. — Ted
The penalty should be very severe especiallly for Artest, Stephen Jackson and Jermaine O'Neal. Somebody could have been killed from the actions of these three players in the brawl. There should also be lawsuits from the fans that were punched or kicked. These three players should be hit hard in thier wallets. — Gibson
Maybe it's not such a good idea to have former NBA players doing commentary for ESPN. The way the round table was blaming the Detroit fans was kind of sickening. They refused to say anything negative about professional players charging the stands. None of this would have happened if Mr. Artest had an ounce of professionalism. If he didn't breach the stands, there would have been no fight, just the name calling that he apparently deserved. — Brian
Face it, sporting events are going the way of the gladiator competitions of ancient Rome. Many want to see carnage (NASCAR), they want violence, they demand it, and we allow it. TV, media and video games are also to blame, as well as living in the violent world we all share. Have some courage. Deal with the thugs (both players and fans). Then provide enough security. If kids are not safe, they should not be allowed in the arenas. As far as Kobe, these superstar athletes all feel as if they are above the law ... gee, could it be that is because we treat them as gods? — Ingrid
It just goes to show you. How pro athletes are just overpaid spoiled rich kids, who refuse to grow up. They pretty much think they can do whatever they want and procede to do just that. — Jeff
You don't ever attack fans...period. Can fans be absolute morons?...you bet. That's why event security has the authority to escort from the premises & press charges against said individuals if necessary because of their moronic actions. As "entertainers" sports figures put themselves in the spot light every time they perform & will always be subject to ridicule based on "perceived" bad performances. This is why movie actors only attend opening night galas of any newly released film, right? In my mind, any justification that says that the players need to be pardoned for these actions (& I've already read those articles by professional sports witers) is totally ludicrous. If I, Joe Citizen, clean someone's clock because I "think" they're going to do something to me...I'm most likely going to have to deal with the local police in some way. This process needs to happen as a result of this mess. Any fan who's involved should have to answer as well. — Jeff
It was bad enough that the players started fighting, but when the idiot fans started throwing things at the players that was totally unnecessary. As a Piston fan I am very upset of what took place. I was watching the game with my children, this was not what I wanted them to see. Detroit fans are some of the best fans in the country and when a few idiot act like animals it hurts the integrity of the good fans of our city. — Dennis
This deal that happened was the last straw for me with the NBA. Most of the players are nothing but street thugs on a basketball court. They don't know how to play orgaized basketball. It's just street ball to them. I will never go to another NBA game, buy any NBA item, or watch a game on TV again. I gave up hockey many years ago for the same reason and sure don't miss it. We need Jerry West to get on a uniform again and play. — Stan
Most professional NBA & NFL players make more $$ than most fans could in a couple of lifetimes combined. Maybe they need a lecture from the guys on the PGA - who look like saints compared to other pro athletes. Even Tiger Woods, with more money than he'll ever spend acts better than that. — Cindy
As an African-American male, I am often left with my jaw hanging whenever black athletes get into the spotlight negatively. In an age where to most whites across the country, blacks are seen as only good enough to rap or hoop it up, the recent Pistons-Pacer brawl gave Black Americans a black eye. Pardon the pun! We need to raise the bar in sports. Black athletes need to practice self restraint in tenuous situations. After all, after surviving for so long in this country, we need not muddy our own waters. — Terence
These professional athletes who have been coddled and adored seem to think they actually deserve the money that they are being paid to play a GAME. They seem to think that they are above the law because going back to high school and college they have been able to take advantage of the system because they can play a GAME. Maybe it is time for them to see how the other ninetynine percent of the population lives. Most of us will WORK our whole lives and not make as much money an these spoiled athletes do in one year for playing a GAME. — David
Face it NBA: Serving alcohol at a game where emotions naturally run high is a mistake. I've been to many NBA games where fans get down right ugly. The cause? First you have to be moron, then drink a lot of beer. The NBA can't keep morons from coming to ball games. They can, however, give up the booze and return this great game to what it once was: fun family entertainment. Will it happen? I doubt it. Money trumps common sense. — Morgan
Ron Artest had every right to confront the "animal" that threw beer at him. I don't care how much money you make or how much you paid for seats. It never gives you the right to throw anything on anyone. Not saying because he did that give Ron the right to lay hands on someone. But in this instance I feel he was justified. I do wish however he went after the right guy though. Ron, my man that is gonna cost you...BIG!! — Andre
I think the fans had it coming. I think it is cowardly to toss things at people with the idea that there will be no consequences. I also believe that the solution is simple yet not popular - STOP THE ALCOHOL!! I know that many people drink responsibly, but there are a few who cannot, they are the ones that ruin it for the rest. I also believe that when the investigations are finished, there will be a few surprised folks having the poilice showing up at their doors with arrest warrants based on the video tapes. — Mike
This is just the latest sign that the NBA is controlled by spoiled, immature player who have lots of money but no brains. These idiots have been coddled all their lives by coaches, agents, parents, and the media. Look at the crime rate in the NBA. This league needs a serious, top-to-bottom overhaul. I think David Stern has failed, and he needs to go. — Craig
This action should be dealt with severely. The players involved with the fans should be banned for the rest of the season if not from the NBA for life. The fans should spend some actual jail time in a cell 3-6 months. That'll keep them from attending any games. This would send a STERN message to the NBA players and fans. Chlidren should not be exposed to this behavior at a family outing. Pete Rose was banned for life what I think did not affect society or our children. This act certainly affected our society and most importantly our children. Artest should have pointed out to security who the scum was and that would have been it. What a coward! He went after an inferior athletic specimen but ran away from an equal specimen (Wallace)! NBA players only push each other during confrontations. Why don't they punch each other like O'Neal and Jackson were punching these fans. Ban them for Life! — Galvan
These professional athletes who have been coddled and adored seem to think they actually deserve the money that they are being paid to play a GAME. They seem to think that they are above the law because going back to high school and college they have been able to take advantage of the system because they can play a GAME. Maybe it is time for them to see how the other ninetynine percent of the population lives. Most of us will WORK our whole lives and not make as much money an these spoiled athletes do in one year for playing a GAME. — Dave
OK, I'm going to say it. Don't sell beer at the games. Any games. Football, baseball, basketball, and even hockey, when they play again anyway. The players involved should be punished without a doubt. The fans involved should be punished too. And not be allowed to sue for money. They are just as guilty as the players. Well we might have to look at everything and say look no more beer at games. We have kids and parents trying to enjoy a game and you have drunken morons acting like fools. So no more beer. Everybody say it: NO MORE BEER. Oh and Ben Eallace. If you can't take a hard foul maybe you shouldn't play you big baby. Was it that big of surprise that it happend in Detroit? I think not. — Tim
David Stern is in the worst of positions. He must be fierce with his punishment. Artest - lifetime ban from NBA, unilateral cancellation of contract and voiding of any more $$ due him. Let him rap for a living. O'Neal - suspend him without pay for rest of season, including postseason. Wallace - minimum of a 68 game suspension without pay. Was Latrell acting worse that Ben? Anyone else involved - minimum 20 game suspension, also without pay. You simply must not go into the stands. Everyone involved should be criminally prosecuted, fans, players; anyone who committed what would be a crime in a barroom brawl should receive the same treatment. Cannot stress enough - lifetime ban from the NBA for Artest. — Dan
Fans are to blame. These players, we forget, are human. A fan should know better then to get involved, and if they choose to get involved then they deserve every punch they received. Especially, the fan on the court that got hit by both Artest and O'Neal. Unfortunately, the players will suffer in the end, when it should be the fans, the Palace, the Detriot Pistons organization, Security, and the greed of the NBA (beer sales should be limited, but they make too much money on it). — Dennis
It seems the NBA has taken up where the NHL left off, due to the lockout. Violence in so-called "professional" sports is growing at an unprecedented - and ugly - pace. The commissioners of each sport MUST TAKE STRONG MEASURES in dealing with these so-called "professional" athletes, from lengthy suspensions to hefty fines. A mere "slap on the wrist" serves no useful purpose anymore. — Steve
I think that the majority of people in this nation are sick and tired of seeing this crap in the NBA. I rarely watch the NBA any more because of this garbage that the NBA calls basketball. If you wanted to end confrontations like this the NBA commisioner would find a spine and fine each player a million dollars and suspend them for half a season. A million dollars is pocket change for some of these illiterates. — Kevin
FOXSports.com
You've seen the video, saw photos and read the commentary from Friday night's ugly incident during the Pacers-Pistons game, and fans have plenty of opinions of what transpired and who should be blamed.
FOXSports.com wants to hear what you think of Friday night's riot in Detroit. Keep checking back because we'll keep picking out the best of the comments.
------------------------------------
Undoubtetly this is the worst day in basketball history. What transpired at the end of the game was dispicable to say the least. I, along with my 7 year old niece watched in horror as the fight progressed into the stands over just a simple game of basketball. A game! I cannot and refuse to comprehend it. And in doing so I find myself not knowing how to ease my niece's fears over an upcoming Laker game we are planning to attend. She doesn't want to go anymore. — Jose
I grew up in Boston enjoying many championships. Basketball was my favorite sport to play. That said, the NBA holds no interest for me anymore. Please don't dismiss my statements as prejudice. I have none, just simple observations of the facts. Today the NBA is filled with thugs who offer nothing to society. Sadly, we as a society are entralled watching this soap opera, so we are as much to blame. I don't really no what the solution is and I expect it to get only worse. — Doug
The word "sport" once implied a standard of courage, discipline and honor. The athelete never saw himself as omnipotant, nor was there ever an intent to physically harm your opponent. I played 9 years of fairly high level football. As a player, linebacker, my responsibility was not to injure my opponent, but to hit hard, tackle cleanly and always celebrate the "team" aspect far and above any individual glory. In fact, to do otherwise, marked you as a glory-hound. Quickly, that individual found themselves ostracized and alone. The core of that behavior marked the person as insecure and inadiquate, and certaintly not a "sportsman." People who obsessively cry, "Hey, look at me," have soured the true meaning of sportmanship. Me-ism now seems to be acceptable and dominates sport at almost all levels. Perhaps, in part, it is an inditement against any aspect of society that sublimates its own hatered by honoring the rich, violent and selfesh. — Kimball
All players who went into to stands are out for the year with no pay. All players who fought on the floor are out one month with no pay. Indiana and Detroit forfiet there number one draft choice. — Ted
The penalty should be very severe especiallly for Artest, Stephen Jackson and Jermaine O'Neal. Somebody could have been killed from the actions of these three players in the brawl. There should also be lawsuits from the fans that were punched or kicked. These three players should be hit hard in thier wallets. — Gibson
Maybe it's not such a good idea to have former NBA players doing commentary for ESPN. The way the round table was blaming the Detroit fans was kind of sickening. They refused to say anything negative about professional players charging the stands. None of this would have happened if Mr. Artest had an ounce of professionalism. If he didn't breach the stands, there would have been no fight, just the name calling that he apparently deserved. — Brian
Face it, sporting events are going the way of the gladiator competitions of ancient Rome. Many want to see carnage (NASCAR), they want violence, they demand it, and we allow it. TV, media and video games are also to blame, as well as living in the violent world we all share. Have some courage. Deal with the thugs (both players and fans). Then provide enough security. If kids are not safe, they should not be allowed in the arenas. As far as Kobe, these superstar athletes all feel as if they are above the law ... gee, could it be that is because we treat them as gods? — Ingrid
It just goes to show you. How pro athletes are just overpaid spoiled rich kids, who refuse to grow up. They pretty much think they can do whatever they want and procede to do just that. — Jeff
You don't ever attack fans...period. Can fans be absolute morons?...you bet. That's why event security has the authority to escort from the premises & press charges against said individuals if necessary because of their moronic actions. As "entertainers" sports figures put themselves in the spot light every time they perform & will always be subject to ridicule based on "perceived" bad performances. This is why movie actors only attend opening night galas of any newly released film, right? In my mind, any justification that says that the players need to be pardoned for these actions (& I've already read those articles by professional sports witers) is totally ludicrous. If I, Joe Citizen, clean someone's clock because I "think" they're going to do something to me...I'm most likely going to have to deal with the local police in some way. This process needs to happen as a result of this mess. Any fan who's involved should have to answer as well. — Jeff
It was bad enough that the players started fighting, but when the idiot fans started throwing things at the players that was totally unnecessary. As a Piston fan I am very upset of what took place. I was watching the game with my children, this was not what I wanted them to see. Detroit fans are some of the best fans in the country and when a few idiot act like animals it hurts the integrity of the good fans of our city. — Dennis
This deal that happened was the last straw for me with the NBA. Most of the players are nothing but street thugs on a basketball court. They don't know how to play orgaized basketball. It's just street ball to them. I will never go to another NBA game, buy any NBA item, or watch a game on TV again. I gave up hockey many years ago for the same reason and sure don't miss it. We need Jerry West to get on a uniform again and play. — Stan
Most professional NBA & NFL players make more $$ than most fans could in a couple of lifetimes combined. Maybe they need a lecture from the guys on the PGA - who look like saints compared to other pro athletes. Even Tiger Woods, with more money than he'll ever spend acts better than that. — Cindy
As an African-American male, I am often left with my jaw hanging whenever black athletes get into the spotlight negatively. In an age where to most whites across the country, blacks are seen as only good enough to rap or hoop it up, the recent Pistons-Pacer brawl gave Black Americans a black eye. Pardon the pun! We need to raise the bar in sports. Black athletes need to practice self restraint in tenuous situations. After all, after surviving for so long in this country, we need not muddy our own waters. — Terence
These professional athletes who have been coddled and adored seem to think they actually deserve the money that they are being paid to play a GAME. They seem to think that they are above the law because going back to high school and college they have been able to take advantage of the system because they can play a GAME. Maybe it is time for them to see how the other ninetynine percent of the population lives. Most of us will WORK our whole lives and not make as much money an these spoiled athletes do in one year for playing a GAME. — David
Face it NBA: Serving alcohol at a game where emotions naturally run high is a mistake. I've been to many NBA games where fans get down right ugly. The cause? First you have to be moron, then drink a lot of beer. The NBA can't keep morons from coming to ball games. They can, however, give up the booze and return this great game to what it once was: fun family entertainment. Will it happen? I doubt it. Money trumps common sense. — Morgan
Ron Artest had every right to confront the "animal" that threw beer at him. I don't care how much money you make or how much you paid for seats. It never gives you the right to throw anything on anyone. Not saying because he did that give Ron the right to lay hands on someone. But in this instance I feel he was justified. I do wish however he went after the right guy though. Ron, my man that is gonna cost you...BIG!! — Andre
I think the fans had it coming. I think it is cowardly to toss things at people with the idea that there will be no consequences. I also believe that the solution is simple yet not popular - STOP THE ALCOHOL!! I know that many people drink responsibly, but there are a few who cannot, they are the ones that ruin it for the rest. I also believe that when the investigations are finished, there will be a few surprised folks having the poilice showing up at their doors with arrest warrants based on the video tapes. — Mike
This is just the latest sign that the NBA is controlled by spoiled, immature player who have lots of money but no brains. These idiots have been coddled all their lives by coaches, agents, parents, and the media. Look at the crime rate in the NBA. This league needs a serious, top-to-bottom overhaul. I think David Stern has failed, and he needs to go. — Craig
This action should be dealt with severely. The players involved with the fans should be banned for the rest of the season if not from the NBA for life. The fans should spend some actual jail time in a cell 3-6 months. That'll keep them from attending any games. This would send a STERN message to the NBA players and fans. Chlidren should not be exposed to this behavior at a family outing. Pete Rose was banned for life what I think did not affect society or our children. This act certainly affected our society and most importantly our children. Artest should have pointed out to security who the scum was and that would have been it. What a coward! He went after an inferior athletic specimen but ran away from an equal specimen (Wallace)! NBA players only push each other during confrontations. Why don't they punch each other like O'Neal and Jackson were punching these fans. Ban them for Life! — Galvan
These professional athletes who have been coddled and adored seem to think they actually deserve the money that they are being paid to play a GAME. They seem to think that they are above the law because going back to high school and college they have been able to take advantage of the system because they can play a GAME. Maybe it is time for them to see how the other ninetynine percent of the population lives. Most of us will WORK our whole lives and not make as much money an these spoiled athletes do in one year for playing a GAME. — Dave
OK, I'm going to say it. Don't sell beer at the games. Any games. Football, baseball, basketball, and even hockey, when they play again anyway. The players involved should be punished without a doubt. The fans involved should be punished too. And not be allowed to sue for money. They are just as guilty as the players. Well we might have to look at everything and say look no more beer at games. We have kids and parents trying to enjoy a game and you have drunken morons acting like fools. So no more beer. Everybody say it: NO MORE BEER. Oh and Ben Eallace. If you can't take a hard foul maybe you shouldn't play you big baby. Was it that big of surprise that it happend in Detroit? I think not. — Tim
David Stern is in the worst of positions. He must be fierce with his punishment. Artest - lifetime ban from NBA, unilateral cancellation of contract and voiding of any more $$ due him. Let him rap for a living. O'Neal - suspend him without pay for rest of season, including postseason. Wallace - minimum of a 68 game suspension without pay. Was Latrell acting worse that Ben? Anyone else involved - minimum 20 game suspension, also without pay. You simply must not go into the stands. Everyone involved should be criminally prosecuted, fans, players; anyone who committed what would be a crime in a barroom brawl should receive the same treatment. Cannot stress enough - lifetime ban from the NBA for Artest. — Dan
Fans are to blame. These players, we forget, are human. A fan should know better then to get involved, and if they choose to get involved then they deserve every punch they received. Especially, the fan on the court that got hit by both Artest and O'Neal. Unfortunately, the players will suffer in the end, when it should be the fans, the Palace, the Detriot Pistons organization, Security, and the greed of the NBA (beer sales should be limited, but they make too much money on it). — Dennis
It seems the NBA has taken up where the NHL left off, due to the lockout. Violence in so-called "professional" sports is growing at an unprecedented - and ugly - pace. The commissioners of each sport MUST TAKE STRONG MEASURES in dealing with these so-called "professional" athletes, from lengthy suspensions to hefty fines. A mere "slap on the wrist" serves no useful purpose anymore. — Steve
I think that the majority of people in this nation are sick and tired of seeing this crap in the NBA. I rarely watch the NBA any more because of this garbage that the NBA calls basketball. If you wanted to end confrontations like this the NBA commisioner would find a spine and fine each player a million dollars and suspend them for half a season. A million dollars is pocket change for some of these illiterates. — Kevin
