Pacers scared by fans, angry at NBA

[Champ]

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - The Indiana Pacers were frightened when spectators began hurling chairs, drinks, and ice at them in one of the most violent exchanges between players and fans in U.S. sports history.

"It was a scary situation," center David Harrison said. "It's literally being in a riot."

<snip>

Pacers co-owner Herb Simon said he did not condone the fight, but "we do consider the action taken Sunday by the National Basketball Association to be unprecedented and inappropriate based on the circumstances."

<snip>

"I don't know what the regulations are for these types of things, but maybe they need to be looked at more closely," Austin Croshere said after the six healthy and eligible Pacers lost to Orlando 86-83 on Saturday night. "You've seen it in baseball ... it seems to be happening more and more."

<snip>

Harrison was hit several times in the stands while trying to break up the mayhem. He said Artest responded instinctively.

"If someone is throwing something at you with intent to harm you, you're going to defend yourself," he said. "It doesn't matter if the person is a fan or whatever. I just wonder what would happen if we went to where they work and harassed them for 48 minutes to an hour and then threw a beer at them when they were trying to leave. We'd go to jail."

http://msn.foxsports.com/story/3182516

[underpants]

1. If I was Artest I wouldn't mention anything about jail at this point

But then again I wouldn't have gone up into the stands on a berzerk rampage.

I know they are trying to get their side on this out but seriously folks that shipped has sailed.

[cubsfan forever]

2. Artest will have plenty of time

to reflect on his stupidity. The rest of the season.

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/front/2912600

Professor 2

[petronius]

3. I love this quote:

"...what would happen if we went to where they work and harassed them for 48 minutes to an hour and then threw a beer at them when they were trying to leave?"

As far as this incident, I think there is a boat load of blame for players and fans alike, but I love what this quote says about fan behavior in recent years. I've never understood why people think that buying a ticket gives them a license to behave in ways (heckling, taunting, cursing, throwing stuff) that they would never dream of outside of the arena...

[underpants]

4. I agree with that-part of the reason you don't see kids at NFL games

I have only been to one but let me tell you some of the language made ME feel uncomfortable and I'm not talking about the guy behind me who seemed certain that I partake in homosexual activity just because I didn't sit down fast enough.

:scared:

[skooooo]

6. This attitude is becoming more prevalent everywhere....

...college students, for example sometimes take the attitude taht because they have paid tuition, they automatically deserve a decent grade, or that they have the right and expectation to be able to negotiate terms with thier professors.

In American society, paying has come to mean entitlement. It's a monster of our own creation.

[THUNDER HANDS]

5. because that's why you buy a ticket

to harass the opposing team. Minus the throwing stuff. But taunting is fine. Players do it to other players.