Sports - Poll of the Day: Who is Most to Blame in the NBA's Friday Night Brawl?

Chi159 · 11-22-2004, 06:56 PM

I used to do this back in the day, and thought it would be fun to bring out again. Like ESPN.com's polls, I will post a question every few days that pertains to a topic in sports. All you need to do is post your answer, without giving reasons behind your choice. If you want to discuss the question or support your answer, feel free to do so. It's not necessary, though. This is a cool way to get to know everyone better and gain a better idea of the overall views at this board. So please join in.

Question: Who is most to blame for Friday night's brawl in Detroit?

A. Detroit fans
B. Ron Artest
C. Ben Wallace
D. Detroit security
E. Referees

Chi159 · 11-22-2004, 07:02 PM

A. Detroit fans

For me, it's basically a tie between the fans and Ron Artest. I'll go with the fans slightly over Artest, because they started things by being completely out of line. A ticket does not entitle you to throw objects and verbally abuse NBA players. All of those morons involved in the melee deserve to be arrested. With that said, I feel as though Artest escalated things by jumping into the stands and taking matters into his own hands. Had he not done that, I don't believe such a dangerous and out of control situation would have occurred.

TMoney · 11-22-2004, 07:11 PM

A & B

Its a tie, Ron Artest is an idiot for going in there. But in the heat of the game, you dont wana idiotic fan throwing a stupid cup at you. The fans in Detriot are a bunch of drunk idiots. As a college player, if someone threw something at me in one of my games. I would of reacted right the same way. So yes, both parties are to blame, but those idiotic fans who came onto the court, you deserved what you got. Like Jermaine O'neal hitting that one guy.

**NikNak** · 11-22-2004, 07:36 PM

Nice idea, Kathie.

I am going with A, as my first choice, but Ron Artest (B) is definitely a VERY close second.

Avatar · 11-22-2004, 07:38 PM

B: Ron Artest. No ifs, ands, or buts about it. You don't touch the fans. Ever. The fans pay Ron Artest's salary. I'm not saying that buying a ticket is a hall-pass to insult players, but Artest make enough money to rise above it and let security deal with the morons - by entering the stands, he fueled an already volitaile situation. And the potential of harm is a lot greater when you jump into the stands and punch someone than when you get hit by a plastic cup with beer. If I should assign blame, it'll be like this: Artest 70 %, fans 20 %, security 5 %, Wallace 4 %, ref's 1 %.

ETA: Good idea bringing this back.

Uh Blah · 11-22-2004, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TMoney
A & B

Its a tie, Ron Artest is an idiot for going in there. But in the heat of the game, you dont wana idiotic fan throwing a stupid cup at you. The fans in Detriot are a bunch of drunk idiots. As a college player, if someone threw something at me in one of my games. I would of reacted right the same way. So yes, both parties are to blame, but those idiotic fans who came onto the court, you deserved what you got. Like Jermaine O'neal hitting that one guy.

Initially u posted that Artest did nothing wrong so I'm glad to see u come around. However O'Neal blind sided that guy & would've been better off staying out of it. The only time I felt Artest acted in self defense was when some of the fans came at him aggressively. So I choose:

B

Carmelo Anthony · 11-22-2004, 08:23 PM

Detroit Security

There should've been better security at the game.

Avatar · 11-22-2004, 08:27 PM

Why blame the security? As long as there was the same amount as on any other NBA-game, stating now that it should have been more, is the equivallent of Monday morning quarterbacking to me.

Carmelo Anthony · 11-22-2004, 08:57 PM

I'm just saying, Security should've started grabbing those fans that were coming on the court. Maybe there should be more security for games. I'm not talking just for the Pistons, maybe for every NBA team.

Uh Blah · 11-22-2004, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Carmelo Anthony
I'm just saying, Security should've started grabbing those fans that were coming on the court. Maybe there should be more security for games. I'm not talking just for the Pistons, maybe for every NBA team.

There already is. I heard at the Celtics game a few more security guards were added.

Katiebear · 11-23-2004, 02:15 AM

Detroit Fans definately the fight between Artest and Wallace was already dead until the fans came along.

nbsarah · 11-23-2004, 02:57 AM

Detroit fans!

Quote:

You don't touch the fans. Ever.

I agree with this, but those fans should be in just as much trouble as Artest got in. He was out of line, but so were they.

Uh Blah · 11-23-2004, 01:30 PM

Anyone else see that bafoon Artest on the Today show this morning?

I'd like to give him credit for facing the camera & half heartedly apologizing. But he lost all credibility when he flashed his new album several times during the interview. What a joke.

wb fan · 11-23-2004, 04:58 PM

Well, if I ha to choose, I'd say that the Detroit fans started the melee. Of course, Ron and Ben got the fired started on the court and it just went to h-e-l-l after that.
Artest was a moron on the talk shows this morning. Could he have been any less insincere. And oh, nice touch promoting your stupid album. MORON!!!!

**NikNak** · 11-23-2004, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Uh Blah
I'd like to give him credit for facing the camera & half heartedly apologizing. But he lost all credibility when he flashed his new album several times during the interview. What a joke.

Lord.

Not exactly the most appropriate time to pimp your new album.