PhotoDude.com

Sat. Nov 20, 2004

Cuff 'Em On The Court

Detroit Pistons coach Larry Brown, who has been a part of the NBA for over 30 years, summed it up well: “It’s the ugliest thing I’ve seen as a coach or player.” Rick Carlisle, a man who wears a suit to work as the coach of the Pacers, said “I felt like I was fighting for my life out there.”

It was supposed to be a basketball game. It turned into an massive embarrassment.

After being fouled, Wallace wheeled around and pushed Artest in the face. The benches emptied and punches were thrown.

As the players continued shoving each other near center court and coaches tried to restore order, Artest sprawled out on his back on the scorer’s table, looking relaxed.

Just when it appeared tempers had died down, Artest was struck by a cup and beverage thrown from the stands. He jumped up, and charged into the stands, throwing punches as he climbed over seats.

Fans were punching back, and Jackson and another teammate joined Artest in the melee.

Later, a man in a Pistons jersey approached Artest on the court, shouting at him. Artest punched him in the face, knocking the man to the floor before leaving the court. Artest was pulled away, and the fan charged back. Jermaine O’Neal stepped in and punched the man.

Sports Illustrated: “Pacers get into ugly brawl with Detroit fans at end of win”

You’ve probably seen the video of the event by now, which provides a far starker view than the “play-by-play” summary above. Already some are trying to defend Artest’s actions, claiming he had to defend himself, and asking “where was stadium security when fans started throwing things?”

Well, unless stadium security has Superman on staff, it wouldn’t have helped. Because when Artest was viciously assaulted by a cup with fluid and ice, he didn’t turn to look for security, or a towel, or any other kind of help. He immediately vaulted off the table into the stands, and started swinging.

Many are blaming the fans, who do have their share of accountability. But let’s look at the causative event. When you are struck by a plastic cup, ice, and some very cold fluid, the only possible response is to rush into the stands and use violent force, fist upon face? That’s what highly paid professionals do?

And Artest didn’t go directly at a known cup thrower, he apparently was swinging randomly: “He was on top of me, pummeling me and he said, ‘Did you do it? Did you do it?’ And I said, ‘No, man, no.’ He kind of shoved me and went off on other people.”

What is an innocent fan being “pummeled” supposed to think? “Oh, my, Mr. Artest is upset he got damp, and now is pounding my face. That seems equitable, I’ll just lie here and take it.”

No, before long, the “other people” started swinging back, and Artest found himself in a world of hurt. With some help, he eventually was able to retreat to the court. And then punched the next person in Pistons gear that came up to him. Then his teammate punched the same guy again, for good measure.

I don’t know about you, but if I’m near a crowd of people that includes security and police officers, who witness me jump into that crowd and start throwing punches … for any reason ... I go to jail. They pepper spray me, cuff me on the spot, and drag my ass off to jail.

If I were to get into an argument in a crowd, and throw a folding chair into the crowd which broke the nose of an innocent woman, they’d pepper spray me, cuff me on the spot, and drag my ass off to jail. But when Texas pitcher Frank Francisco broke a nose with a chair thrown into the stands two months ago, no one cuffed him and dragged him off to jail.

Why should someone in a sports uniform get treatment different than you or I would? On the spot. In any professional sport, if a fan enters the field of play, they get arrested. Or worse. One of my favorite Falcons memories (which reveals a bit about their sorry history) was when a drunken “fan” thought it would be funny to run out onto the field and steal the ball off the tee before a kickoff. Once he did, Falcons safety Scott “Hard” Case laid an NFL hit on him, worthy of the Hall of Fame. That “fan” won’t do that ever again.

A fan who enters the field of play goes to jail. And an athlete who goes into the stands with violent intent should go to jail as well. Immediately. Cuff them on the court, on national TV, and drag their sorry ass away.

It’s time for the NBA, MLB, and NFL to crack down on this type of behavior. Were I in ownership or management of the Indiana Pacers, Artest would have worn that team’s uniform for the last time, no matter the cost. Pay out his contract and let him go promote his rap career. He’s got the “thug” part down pat.

David Stern, the NBA commissioner, is reportedly “repulsed” by the brawl, as I am, but he’s in a position to do something about it. He could encourage NBA stadiums around the country to enforce the law on anyone and everyone, whether they wear an NBA uniform or not. No tolerance for any violent acts, cuff ‘em and drag ‘em. Stern could even go a step further, and publicly wonder why one player punching another on the court isn’t cause for an immediate assault charge. If a cop at courtside sees me throw a punch at a fellow photographer, I’d go to jail. Why not the players on the court, too?

But none of that will happen. There’s no real accountability for these “special people,” they get dispensation you and I don’t (if you started a brawl with a customer at your place of business … over a cup of ice water … just how fired do you think you’d be?). There will be some suspensions, and huffy puffy talk, but the Game Must Go On. In two months, the charges will be reduced to a misdemeanor, and all will be forgotten.

Until the next time some millionaire thug can’t control his impulses and goes “off field” to assault someone else.

Later: More here, “Earning Disrespect”