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| Last Friday night (November 19th, 2004) saw the most eye-popping, dubious, frightening, and out-of-control spectacle seen in the NBA's long and illustrious history in a game between two top championship contenders: the defending champions, Detroit Pistons and last-season's best record producer, the Indiana Pacers. The whole fiasco began with only 46 seconds remaining with the Pacers having a dominant 97-82 lead against the Pistons. Detroit's center and undisputed leader, Ben Wallace, went in for a lay-up before being fouled hard by the Pacer's all-star guard, Ron Artest. Wallace turned around, obviously very angry, and walked towards Artest, delivering a hard, two-handed shove to Artest's upper chest and chin. This led to some commotion where the players from both team ran to the action to break up any further problems. The brew-ha-ha seemed to settle in its usual fashion, with players, coaches, and referees restraining the hot heads of some individuals. Ron Artest, no stranger to these type of commotions, appeared resigned to let the situation cool down on its own by lying down on the scorer's table. He even appeared to take light of the situation by putting on a radio broadcaster's headset and even mocked as if he was being interviewed. His behavior incensed Wallace further, who proceeded to throw his sweat-drenched headband at him. Still all relatively harmless until the major incident occurred that led to the proverbial "excrement" hitting the fan (no pun intended). The major igniter that fueled the whole fracas occurred when an unidentified fan near midcourt hits Artest in the face with a cup filled with ice and a beverage. You could just see the instantaneous change in Artest's face. One second, a playful instigator lying on the scorer's table with no intention to further escalate the problem, (cue: SPLASH), to a focused predator leaping of the table and into the stands hunting down the assailant who had dared served him this injustice, challenging his defiance against NBA authority and accountability. Yes the excrement certainly did hit the fan – or was about too. Infuriated by the action, and without any hesitation, Artest charged the stands towards the direction of the hurled beverage. This led him to the mid-level seats near center court where he attacks a fan that he thinks hurled the cup at him. That fan would be Mike Ryan of Clarkstown. According to Ryan, "He was on top of me, pummeling me and he said, "Did you do it? Did you do it?" And I said, 'No, man, no." He kind of shoved me and went off on other people." Before I go any further, I have to give credit to Ryan for remaining conscious after a 6'7", 250-pound, superb physical specimen begins hammering away at him. Back to the action where we last left Artest pummeling Ryan: As Artest was punching away, his teammate, the newly acquired guard, Stephen Jackson appeared to also be in attack-mode. Jackson was the second player to rush the stands taking on whatever Piston fan would stand in his way – and their were some they were ready to tick off the "Fight an NBA player" from their "to-do" list. Jackson threw and landed several wild punches on fans. He was also hit hard across the head by a fan that had attacked him from behind. At this point players from both teams jumped into the crowd to try and pull the players involved out of the whole melee. It was at this point where several stirring storylines began to form involving players, coaches, and fans. David Harrison, Eddie Gill and Fred Jones of the Pacers, and Detroit's Rasheed Wallace and former Piston Rick Mahorn attempt to break up the fight between the Pacers players and Detroit fans, who land their share of punches. Pacers Coach Rick Carlisle was instrumental in getting both Artest and Jackson out of the crowd. However that was not the end of it. As Artest began to walk of the floor, he was confronted by a young rotund fan in a Piston's jersey who begins shouting at Artest. Still in his predatory manner, Artest punched the fan without any hesitation. Artest was pulled away, and the fan charged back. That is where TV camera's picked up a running Jermaine O'Neal (6'11", 242 pounds) who used all his force to sucker punch another man in the head who joined the scrum. That man was identified as Charles Hadad. Hadad had run onto the court after O'Neal. He had to encounter Pacer guard, Anthony Johnson first, who landed a punch. Before O'Neal ran in for his super-samurai action punch, on bended knees at that. Hadad was knocked out cold and was carted off the court on a stretcher. It took fifteen minutes, in what seemed like an eternity, to have the whole scuffle conclude. The major Pacers involved with the whole scrap – Artest, Jackson, and O'Neal (coincidentally the Pacer's top three scorers); were restrained by coaches and officials who led them back into the dressing room. On their way out through the tunnel leading to their dressing room haven, fans continued their onslaught pelting the players with obscenities, cups, drinks, pretzels, popcorn, ice, and even a folding chair. The liquid-drenched O'Neal almost got into another altercation in the tunnel with another fan, in front of Auburn Hills police. The whole kafuffle took the league by surprise, which have never experienced a fight escalating to this level of magnitude. Here are some quotes given by various people in response to this conflict: "The events of the game were shocking, repulsive and inexcusable, a humiliation for everyone associated with the NBA." - David Stern, NBA commissioner "I felt like I was fighting for my life out there… I'm sorry the game had to end this way." - Rick Carlisle, Indiana Pacers Head Coach "It was the ugliest thing I ever seen in my life. I am embarrassed for our league and disappointed to be part of this and disappointed for our young people who saw that." - Larry Brown, Detroit Piston's Head Coach "There's no place in the game for what went on with this incident. It was just an ugly scene." - Joe Dumars, President of Detroit Piston's Basketball Operations and future Hall of Famer "We'll put it all together, take it to the Oakland County Prosecutor's Office and have them review it and they'll decide if there are any charges… I hope we can do it before Thanksgiving." - Jim Mynsberge, Auburn Hills deputy chief "You can literally count every time a punch is thrown and that would constitute an assault and battery. Now, whether or not some of them are justifiable under law remains to be seen. Some players could state they were coming to the defense of, say, Artest when he entered the stands area, but this is all going to have to be straightened out and there are going to be voluminous reports from people on press row, who were there just rows in front it, player personnel, the players themselves, coaches, referees, fans, literally hundreds of reports to review." - David Gorcycka, Oakland County prosecutor "It was a disgraceful situation…. There were no winners whatsoever. There is no excuse for players to go into the stands. The privilege and honor that goes with being an NBA player prohibits you from ever crossing that line. It was a frightful, devastating experience and there will be major ramifications for both teams and will have an impact on the rest of this NBA season." - Bill Walton, ESPN basketball analyst and NBA Hall of Famer "I have never seen a fight like that in a game since I was in high school… Man, there are going to be some lawsuits. You don't think some of those fans aren't going to want some NBA money?" - Quentin Richardson, guard for the Phoenix Suns "Whoooo. When you see things like that, just think about what it takes for NBA players to go into a crowd. Sometimes fans get kind of out of hand, but it must have taken a lot for NBA players to go into a crowd and start a fight." - Lamar Odom, forward for the Los Angeles Lakers "That was unbelievable" - Chris Chelios, Detroit Red Wings (NHL) defensemen and tough guy (who sat courtside for the game) The Aftermath As expected, the NBA was quick to react to the unfortunate incident. It was obvious that the whole skirmish had landed the NBA a black image that is usually reserved for the National Football League, National Hockey League, and even Major League Baseball to some degree. Commissioner David Stern, the architect of the NBA's global success, thanks in part to limiting any negative image cast upon the NBA, was swift to react, and doled out the harshest penalty ever seen in NBA history. No doubt, a statement to the rest of the league, that this behavior is not tolerated and harsh penalties will be incurred if it occurs again. A total of 143 games in suspensions were sentenced out to players from both teams involved in the brawl. The bulk of the penalty went to Ron Artest, the lead character during the Malice at Auburn Hills. Artest was suspended for the rest of the NBA season – an unprecedented total of 73 games. Pacer's guard, Stephen Jackson was suspended for 30 games, Pacer's forward, Jermaine O'Neal was suspended for 25 games, and Piston's center, Ben Wallace was suspended for six games. Four players: Indiana's Reggie Miller, and Detroit's Chauncey Billups, Elden Campbell and Derrick Coleman were suspended one game apiece for leaving the bench during the first scuffle between Artest and Wallace. Artest's 73-game suspension beats out the previous best – Latrell Sprewell, then of the Golden State Warriors, who was suspended for 68 games for physically assaulting (choking) his then-head coach, P.J. Carlisemo. The previous player-fan altercation resulting in suspensions occurred in 1995, when the Houston Rocket's guard, Vernon Maxwell was suspended 10 games for hitting a fan in the stands. |
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| WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Former NFL player Pat Tillman was killed Thursday while serving as an Army Rangers soldier on a mission in southeastern Afghanistan, Pentagon officials have told CNN. He was 27. Pentagon sources confirmed that a soldier killed during an ambush on a coalition combat patrol, reported in a U.S. Central Command release, was Tillman. The incident took place at 7:30 p.m. local time Thursday near the village of Sperah, 40 kilometers southwest of Khowst. "The enemy action was immediately responded to by the coalition patrol with direct fire and a firefight ensued," the release said. "During the engagement, one coalition soldier was killed and two wounded." It also said an Afghan Militia Force soldier was killed and that "the enemy broke contact during the engagement." Tillman, who walked away from a $3.6 million contract as a safety with the Arizona Cardinals to join the military after the Sept. 11 attacks, was in an area where numerous U.S. troops have been killed in battles with suspected al Qaeda and Taliban fighters. Tillman was a specialist in the 75th Ranger Regiment, a light infantry unit out of Fort Benning, Ga. The White House put out a statement of sympathy that praised Tillman as "an inspiration both on an off the football field." Former Cardinals head coach Dave McGinnis said he felt both overwhelming sorrow and tremendous pride in Tillman, who "represented all that was good in sports." "Pat knew his purpose in life," McGinnis said. "He proudly walked away from a career in football to a greater calling." Several of Tillman's friends have said the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks influenced his decision to enlist. "In sports we have a tendency to overuse terms like courage and bravery and heroes," said Cardinals vice president Michael Bidwill, son of the team's owner Bill Bidwill, "and then someone like Pat Tillman comes along and reminds us what those terms really mean." A memorial was set up outside Cardinals' headquarters in Tempe, Ariz., with Tillman's No. 40 uniform in a glass frame alongside two teddy bears and two bouquets. A pen was left for people to write messages to Tillman's family. Gov. Janet Napolitano ordered flags at Arizona State University, Tillman's alma mater, flown at half-staff. "Pat Tillman personified all the best values of his country and the NFL," commissioner Paul Tagliabue said in a statement. "He was an achiever and leader on many levels who always put his team, his community, and his country ahead of his personal interests." Tillman was the first NFL player killed in combat since Buffalo offensive tackle Bob Kalsu died in the Vietnam War in July 1970. Nineteen NFL players were killed in World War II. Former teammate Pete Kendall, the Cardinals' starting center, said Tillman's death was a jolt of the reality regarding the nation's fight in the Middle East. "The loss of Pat brings it home," Kendall said. "Everyday there are countless families having to get the same news." Kendall remembered going out with Tillman and his future wife, Marie. "We had a meal and a couple of beers," Kendall said. "It was a nice night. I really looked forward to buying him another beer sometime down the road." Several members of Arizona's congressional delegation released statements on Tillman's death. Arizona Sen. John McCain noted that Tillman declined to speak publicly about his decision to put his NFL career on hold. "I am heartbroken today by the news of Pat Tillman's death, " Sen. McCain said. "The tragic loss of this extraordinary young man will seem a heavy blow to our nation's morale, as it is surely a grievous injury to his loved ones." Sen. John Kyl released a statement calling Tillman "a great American hero in the truest sense. He had already given up so much, including an incredible football career and loving family, to fight for his country in the war on terrorism. His patriotism and courage are an inspiration and we are grateful for his ultimate sacrifice." Rep. Jeff Flake said, "Pat Tillman exemplified the sacrifice, selflessness, and service of the U.S. military. Nowadays, genuine role models in professional sports are few and far between, but Tillman proved that there are still heroes in sports." Tillman played four seasons with the Cardinals before enlisting in the Army in May 2002. He made the decision after returning from his honeymoon with his wife, Marie. In a 2002 story, Tillman told Sports Illustrated that he planned to return to the NFL in three years. "He knew what was important to him, and he made his decision and stood by it," said quarterback Eli Manning, expected to be a top pick in Saturday's NFL Draft. I am heartbroken today by the news of Pat Tillman's death. The tragic loss of this extraordinary young man will seem a heavy blow to our nation's morale, as it is surely a grievous injury to his loved ones. Sen. John McCain Tillman's brother, Kevin, a former minor league baseball prospect in the Cleveland Indians' organization, also joined the Rangers and served in the Middle East. They committed to three-year stints in the Army. Some 110 U.S. soldiers have died -- 39 of them in combat -- during Operation Enduring Freedom, which began in Afghanistan in late 2001. Tillman's agent, Frank Bauer, has called him a deep and clear thinker who has never valued material things. In 2001, Tillman turned down a $9 million, five-year offer sheet from the Super Bowl champion St. Louis Rams out of loyalty to the Cardinals, and by joining the Army, he passed on millions more from the team. Tillman turned aside interview requests after joining the Army. In December, during a trip home, he made a surprise visit to his Cardinal teammates. "For all the respect and love that all of us have for Pat Tillman and his brother and Marie, for what they did and the sacrifices they made ... believe me, if you have a chance to sit down and talk with them, that respect and that love and admiration increase tenfold," Coach Dave McGinnis said at the time. "It was a really, really enriching evening." It was not immediately clear when Tillman went to Afghanistan. Denver quarterback Jake Plummer was a teammate of Tillman for seven years, three at Arizona State and four with the Cardinals. "We lost a unique individual that touched the lives of many with his love for life, his toughness, his intellect," Plummer said in a statement released by the Broncos. "Pat Tillman lived life to the fullest and will be remembered forever in my heart and mind." In college, Tillman was a long-haired wild man on the field, an all-Pac-10 linebacker always going full speed. Bone-jarring hits were his trademark. He and Plummer led the Sun Devils to the 1997 Rose Bowl. The next season, Tillman was the Pac-10 defensive player of the year. He graduated summa cum laude in December 1997 with a marketing degree and a 3.84 grade-point average. The Cardinals took Tillman in the seventh round of the 1998 draft, the 226th player chosen. At first, he made his mark on special teams but played his way into a starting spot at safety. In 2000, he broke the franchise record for tackles with 223. He had 12 solo tackles, and a hand in 21 overall, in a 16-15 victory over Washington that season. In practice, coaches often had to make Tillman slow down so he wouldn't hurt anybody in drills that weren't supposed to be full speed. Slowing down was always tough for him. Before the 2000 season, he ran a marathon to see what it would be like. Before the 2001 season, he gave the triathlon a try. "You don't find guys that have that combination of being as bright and as tough as him," Phil Snow, who coached Tillman as Arizona State's defensive coordinator, said in 2002. "This guy could go live in a foxhole for a year by himself with no food." Tillman and his brother Kevin last year won the Arthur Ashe Courage award at the 11th annual ESPY Awards. |