Fökai

Ram it until it catches on fire; he'll step out of the car after that. Kill him, take the phone, and answer the cell.

For accuracy purposes, I'm correcting what Jackson did, though I agree with his suspension: the fan Jackson attacked was a guy who threw a drink and a punch at Artest while he wasn't looking (during the time Artest was involved with the first fan). In a fight, what actually classifies a "threatening" gesture? One, he's on the court where's he not supposed to be. Second, he got through the security with literal ease. Lastly, when he came up to Artest, he's already clenched both of his fists and is bouncing up and down. There's no sucker-punching involved - it's just that Artest beat him to the punch. Mike, if the two fans got past the security onto the court, what were they planning to do? Ask Ron for an autograph? What does Artest deserve a lifetime banishment for? Is it because of the "attack" on the first fan, or is it in addition to the punch he threw at the fan on the court? Considering you stuck up for Jermaine O'Neal, why wouldn't you stick up for what Artest did on the court? The suspension was ass-backwards in execution. For reasons unbeknownst, Stern decided to take $6 million and a season away from a player, in a situation where Artest's critics, ex-teammates and former coach agreed should've forced Artest to seek psychological help. Instead, Stern attempting "damage control" backfired in his face, leaving fans still unsure of whether they should plunk down money for a ticket, especially when there's no immediate threat of it happening again due to the new rules the NBA will enforce under the public radar.

I found it funny that he kept denying it was him, stating that he was being kicked down to the ground for no reason, when video evidence proved: 1. It WAS him. 2. He kept sucker-punching Artest in the back of the head (when Artest was involved with the other fan) until fans and players stopped him. 3. He started fighting those who tried to stop him.

That's not even the point of the argument anymore. Artest is automatically suspended 10+ games for going into the stands. The absurdity lays with the length of the suspension, especially when they could've done something worthwhile with that suspension (30+ games to nail the point, in addition to psychological help for Artest, based on his previous offenses).

Not the same one. The surgery he required after Wrestlemania would've ended his career.

Didn't you state earlier that the fans on the court deserved the beating? For what?!?! The fan was dumb enough to get on the court, he deserves whatever the fuck he gets. O'Neal should get 2-3 games, MAX. Agree with that. An idiot goes on the court, they deserve a beating. -=Mike

At the most, it justifies a 10-game suspension, in the same vein of the Maxwell suspension ten years prior. Why do wrestlers tackle or deck fans who jump the rail? What would you expect to happen to you if you ran onto a NBA court, a NFL field or a wrestling ring? Absolutely not. If Stern was trying to make the RIGHT point, he would've suspended Jackson longer than Artest, and given a lenient one to O'Neal.

Anyone else wondering whether Banky actually WATCHED what occured? It's like we have a RTC representative here or something. I agree with him. They're professional athletes. What do you agree with him on? The fact that he reprimanded Artest for punching a fan, his whole basis of his argument yesterday, when Artest did NOT punch the fan?

...and my game goes to Monday.

Anyone else wondering whether Banky actually WATCHED what occured? It's like we have a RTC representative here or something.

Does the NBA have a history of incorporating past suspensions in their decisions?

WHO DIDN'T LEAVE THE BENCH? Reggie Miller protected Ron Artest from being MACED. I honestly hope someone (like Wilbon) tears apart most of these decisions, because security were doing nothing to diffuse the situation.

ESPN did a complete 180 and is now verbally fellating David Stern for his decision - really, who the fuck does he have to "satisfy" with the decision? He made a decision that just went beyond any precedent in the rulebook, attempting to give the poor fans a lollipop because of big bad Ron Artest. Most of these suspensions WILL be appealed.

Yeah. If you had access to the full footage, the kid was being comforted by the fat guy when they changed over.

It took me forever to reach Lev. 8 on Rumble Pit, although I've been recently racking up victories. By the way, I absolutely LOATHE the Ascension map on Rumble Pit. I'm all for Lockout (my personal favorite) and Ivory Tower. You folks are all invited to join my party whenever I'm online - our house of Halo freaks dig Big Team Battles over Rumble Pit (we have 3 guys and 2 Xboxes), but we're disappointed when we have weak teammates.

Oregon State winning here nets me a victory....

If Boston College beats Syracuse next week, then it's them.

He didn't punch him once. Artest simply subdued the guy (whether he WAS going to punch him is left to interpretation). His friend threw a full cup at Artest and taunted him. Different guy. Guy who got knocked down, was helped by his friend who punched Artest then pushed him away. O'Neal hit THAT guy. The act of suspending Artest for the on-court incident has no precedent, therefore we go to the rules of the game. Just as Artest should be suspended for going into the stands, the players aren't held accountable for anything that happens to fans who threaten players while ON the court floor. O'Neal probably will get a 8-10 game suspension, simply because the fan was in the wrong anyway, but the NBA needs to save face by suspending him. Jackson will get 15 for throwing unprovocated punches at the fans, in the vein of the Vernon Maxwell incident in 1993 (?). Okay. Hopefully they get the guy who threw the chair, and/or the fan who hit the referee with the cup. Once again, to summarize: Artest: 5 games without pay (for leaving the court; Stern should explain that the punch was the fault of the fans.) O'Neal: 8 games. Jackson: 15.

Artest gets into the crowd = suspended. Fan gets onto the court during game = open to anything within boundaries of players, including tackles and punches. Please tell us different.

Wasn't there a cheap shot, a malicious driving of an individual into the ice, and a broken neck involved in that case?

Either inciting a reaction out of Wallace (which is why Ben threw the towel) or showing how Wallace was blowing the situation out of proportion. Throwing a towel isn't either. For instance, if the game was played at Conseco, and Ben threw a towel at Artest (let's say he was unprovoked in this instance), would the fans be justified in pelting him with stuff?

Ha! I was stumped on this too... Anyway, all challenges must be completed in exhibition mode, be it singles, Rumble, or Elimination Chamber. Use the guidelines listed on each specific challenge page to know what you must do ("jump through the rings", so to speak).

You see, this is the problem... Michael Hickenbottom is being paid to play a CHARACTER. As a heel, he expects it. In fact, he CRAVES it. Ron Artest isn't being paid to play a character. Same with a referee (who also got hit with a full cup). Same with a pizza boy.

...AND THAT'S WHERE THE LINE STOPS. If Wallace and the fans are one in the same, Artest would be given a five-game suspension for attacking (or in this case, subduing) a player like he did the fan. This isn't to mention the fan who got decked, but he WAS on the court, so any precedent should be negated. In your opinion, what should the NBA specifically do to Artest?

AZ/DAL/DEN/DET/CHI/NYJ/PIT/SF/STL/JAX/SEA/SD/ATL/PHI/GB/NE/23