The Detroit Pistons/Indiana Pacers game on November 19 is a complete disgrace to professional sports. In addition to the civil and criminal charges certain to arise as a result of this event, the NBA must severely sanction both the teams generally and the players specifically involved.
The first step that needs to be taken is for the game to be declared a forfeit by both teams. No one deserves a win for this one. If there is any justice in the world, both teams will then fall one game shy of making the playoffs at the end of the season.
Second, just as any other employer is held accountable for the actions of their employees on the job, the teams involved need to be fined and sanctioned to drive home to them and to others in the league that this is a team issue and not simply the unfortunate actions of a few individuals. It would not be out of line to strip each team of their highest draft pick in the next draft. This will hurt them in a way that will get their attention and the collective attention of the league in a manner that fines alone could not possibly accomplish.
Prompt meaningful action by the league office can salvage this situation and permit the NBA to establish a standard of conduct that other professional sports leagues will be forced to match. Selecting a few scapegoats, imposing token fines and wrist slaps, and sweeping this matter under the rug with an "aw shucks, boys will after all be boys" attitude will only further diminish the respect for all professional athletes and organizations in this country, and hasten the day when the amateur contests become the venue of choice for family oriented sports entertainment.
Johnny - you're right! The fans involved should, and indeed are, being held accountable for their actions. Responsibility lies on, and should be demanded from, both edges of the court.
ReplyDeleteKeep in mind though that Ron Artest also pummeled the wrong guy when he threw himself into the stands. A professional sports venue is not "gang turf". There are accepted means for dealing with violations of civl and criminal conduct in our society. Beating someone you erroneously believe has "dissed" you is not one of those accepted means. I don't care how hard you lobby, you are never going to see "Saint Ron Artest's" feast day showing up on the church calendar.