I've added a Pistons scoreboard to the sight. After every game this season, I'll update the scoreboard and post a quicktime clip of the play of the game. If anyone is more blog savy than I am and knows of a plugin or something that will give me a dynamic scoreboard let me know. Thanks!
Detroit Pistons: November 2004 Archives
Wow, I wasn't planning on posting tonight but I want to get my opinion out before the media has a field day with this indident. If you haven't heard, the Pistons/Pacers game ended with a crazy brawl. Ron Artest fouled Ben Wallace hard, but nothing out of the ordinary for two rival teams. Ben Wallace overreacted and pushed Artest with a lot of unecesary force. To Ron's credit, he tried to let it slide and slipped out of the evelvating action on the court. Rasheed Wallce, Rip, Lindsey and some other staff on both teams tried to defuse the situation while Pacers Stephen Jackson and Jamal Tinsley continued to instigate. Meanwhile, as Artest layed out on the scorers table, some dumb ass drunk punk threw a beer on him. From there, all hell broke lose. That beer sent Artest into a frenzy and he launced into the stands after the idiot who threw it, with Stephen Jackson closely in tail. Some of the crowd tried to restrain Artest but Jackson got through the crowed and fired punches at anyone close. Somehow Rasheed Wallace and Rick Mahorn were able to get the Pacers out of the crowd and security got things under control in that spot but at this point, fights were breaking out every where. Beer and popcorn was flying all over the place and things were just out of control. It was just ugly, and as a REAL fan I am ashamed at the conduct of the people at the Palace. They disrespected the game, the Pistons, and the entire city of Detroit. The people of Detroit are usually pretty proud of the city. Anyone I know from Detroit works hard to improve the image of the city and it's surrounding area. This unfortunate and brainless incident puts a huge dent in the cities image. I'm embarrassed by it.
Ben Wallace made a huge error in judgment and his actions set off domino effect. However, the way I see it, Stephen Jackson kept the fire going and his behavior above all others was despicable. He brutally attacked any fan who was near him. Setting off a chain reaction of unreasonable behavior through out the crowd. Everyone involved in this incident should be punished severely. Stephen Jackson should be charged with assault and suspended from the NBA for 5 games or more. Ron Artest has had enough controversy but deserves a long suspension as well. Ben Wallace might deserve the harshest penalty. Probably a 5 game suspension or more. He has a whole lot of apologies to make and I'm sure in retrospect he's disgusted by his behavior. I know I am. Until today's misjudgment Ben was an ideal sports role model. He'll have to work hard to restore that image and the image of his team and city.
As a fan, I will always stand by my team but let me make this clear. No true fan of the game and of the Detroit Pistons would ever throw anything at any player. I love to hate the Pacers. It makes the game fun, but it is just that, a game. Every team needs a rival, and every fan should respect that rival. It's match ups like the Pistons and Pacers that make watching Basketball worthwhile. The people in the crowd who thought it was appropriate to behave like hoodlums DO NOT DESERVE to call themselves fans. They do not deserve to represent my team in anyway. If any of you who participated in the event stumble across this posting I want to tell you that you are despicable!!!
If you haven't seen it, click here to see the crazy events at the Pistons vs. Pacers game.
