Artest speaks out: Season-ending suspension for brawl with fans too harsh


November 23, 2004
INDIANAPOLIS -- Indiana Pacers forward Ron Artest said Tuesday he wishes he hadn't gotten into a fight with fans but feels his season-ending suspension was too harsh.

``I don't think it was fair -- that many games,'' Artest said in an interview with NBC's ``Today'' show. ``I respect (NBA Commissioner) David Stern's decisions, but I don't think I should have been out for the whole season.''

It was Artest's first national interview since he was suspended for fighting with fans late in Friday night's game against the Detroit Pistons. The interview was simulcast on RadioNow 93.1 in Indianapolis.




On Sunday, Stern suspended Artest for the rest of the season and gave four other Pacers shorter bans, including Stephen Jackson (30 games) and Jermaine O'Neal (25 games). All suspensions stemming from the fight are without pay. Artest, who was suspended for a total of 73 games, stands to lose nearly $5 million this season.

Artest bolted into the stands after being hit by a cup thrown by a fan, touching off a brawl in which players exchanged punches with fans, who also threw drinks, popcorn, a chair and other debris at the Pacers.

``I wish that situation never happened,'' Artest said. ``It wasn't good at all, for anybody. ...

``This is the third time that I've been hit with something out of the crowd,'' said Artest, who claimed he had been struck previously in Detroit and in Cleveland.

Artest said Monday night that he hopes to be back with the Pacers for the playoffs, despite the suspension.

``I have so much confidence in my squad and I have confidence I'll be back,'' Artest said on local radio station WHHH. ``I'm out for the season, but I'm hoping to be back for the playoffs.''

Union director Billy Hunter said it would have been appropriate for the NBA to suspend Artest through the All-Star break in February and require anger management counseling.

``I think 35 games would have been appropriate. I think 73 is excessive,'' Hunter said on ``Today.''

The union was preparing to file an appeal with Stern, who has sole discretion over penalties for on-court behavior.

During the televised interview, Artest plugged a new CD from a group on his record label three times and wore a T-shirt and hat emblazoned with the logo of TruWarier Records.

Yes, it was to harsh of a penalty. The last such situation where a player went into the stands only resulted in a 10 game suspension. A brawl didn't ensue either, but the situation is still the same. Give him 30-35 and lets move on! Fans also need to be held accountable. Since when is it appropriate to "hate" "abuse" or even attempt bodily harm to a person just because he plays for the opposing team? They are human too, and if you cross the line, you should be prepared to pay the consequences.

You know some of the fans get so frickin' drunk, and unruly..

I have seen it at the Nuggets games... Court side..

Sometimes I don't blame the players for getting pissed..

But violence isn't the answer....