November 25, 2004

ARTEST WAS THE PILOT THAT STARTED THE FLAME OF VIOLENCE

       In the aftermath of what some are calling one of the ugliest incidents to ever take place in an American sports arena the one thing that seems to have been lost among the suspensions and the possible lawsuits is that a simple act of arrogance is what fueled the entire incident.   There have been countless acts of violence perpetrated in the various sports arenas of North America—but the great majority of them have remained on the field of play and between the game’s participants.  What made this particular ordeal unique is that one player—Ron Artest—chose to test his resolve outside the field of play by lying on the scorers’ table and metaphorically waving his middle finger up at the Detroit fans.  The ugly incident that followed never would have happened had Artest not flaunted his arrogance.

       It began innocently enough—a hard foul that Artest gave the hometown favourite Ben Wallace as the game, a rout by Indiana, would down to its conclusion.  Wallace, frustrated by his team’s poor performance at home against its Conference rival, retaliated.  Soon, teammates from both sides became embroiled in a shoving and shouting match that would have simply added credence to the distaste each team has for the other until Artest chose to take it up a notch.  By walking over and lying on the scorers’ table--secure in the knowledge that the game had already been won--he effectively began taunting the hometown fans.  There were many in the stands that, having grown angry over the result of the game, and infuriated by the melee that began on the court (and having already imbibed in likely more than one too many alcoholic beverages) became incensed.  And as it is on all occasions, there is one that carries it too far.

       Nothing would have happened, though, had Artest not acted like an arrogant ass and flaunted his volatility and his position.  Likely thinking that he was protected by the court, the arena security, and by his overwhelmingly famous persona, he believed that he could get away with showing up the local fanatics by lying casually in their midst while they screamed for his head.   He obviously did not think that someone would carry their anger over the edge—remarkable considering Artest often carries himself as someone verging on going over the edge.  This is obviously an athlete that has so disconnected himself from the real world that he approached his head coach about needing a month off to recuperate after promoting a rap CD in the off-season.   

      It certainly isn’t surprising that Artest would not even stop for a moment to think about the consequences of not only his initial goading of the fans, but of his self-obsessed charge into the stands to protect himself after being hit with a couple of soft objects.  To argue that he was simply protecting himself is asinine.  If someone teases a bulldog he is tempting fate, and when that bull dog attacks he cannot claim complete innocence.  Artest was rightfully suspended for the entire season—and he should need to appeal to the league before he can be allowed back on the court next season.  His brothers in stupidity—most notably Stephen Jackson, and to a slightly lesser extent Jermaine O’Neal, should also have been suspended for the year.  It seems that stupidity is contagious on the Pacer squad.

       Perhaps the Pacers as a team should have been suspended for the year, and any games forfeited to their opponents.  But I suppose that would be overkill.

       As it is the Pacers will have to fight tooth and nail (a sports acumen) on the court to simply make the playoffs.  It would be right, in the grand scheme of things, for the Pacers to miss out.  I know that’s what I hope happens.  I also wish that Artest is forced into spending the rest of this season doing community work in the Detroit area. 

       Now that would be appealing.