Thoughts

Tempers were high last night as the Detroit Pistons hosted the Indiana Pacers in the first match up since Detroit advanced past Indiana in the Eastern Conference Finals just six months ago.

It is no surprise that the intensity level was through the roof the entire game. The game was, however, relatively tame until there were only about 48 seconds left in the game. Indiana sat atop a comfortable lead when Ron Artest fouled Ben Wallace from behind on a lay up. The foul was not incredibly hard, though it was unnecessary when up with the game in the bag.

Wallace responded to the foul with a shove to Artest's chest. Ben Wallace overreacted. I can admit this. He should not have taken his aggression out on Ron Artest. This move caused a scrum of all players on the court. Both teams were most likely both mentally and physically exhausted at the end of such a potent rivalry.

Soon the players were pulled apart after a minimal amount of pushing and shoving. What escalated the situation in Auburn Hills was a fan throwing a cup that hit Ron Artest in the face. Artest was laying on the scorers table in an uncharacteristic attempt to stay out of the fire. Once the cup hit him, however, he took off into the stands after the STUPID patron who threw it. Pacer Stephen Jackson was not far behind in the rush to the stands.

The players were soon pulled back to the court though the brawling was incomplete as some more people still felt the need to walk onto the court. They paid the price.

These people who became involved with the players were in the wrong. I will not call them fans. They paid to see the game, some wore Pistons merchandise, but they are not fans. Pistons fans, NBA fans, sports fans would not conduct themselves in this manner. There is no excuse for how those in the stands handled themselves during this situation last night. I am not siding with the Indiana Pacers. I am a Detroit Pistons fan. Choosing sides here is not between the two teams, it is between class and no class. The people who assaulted the players showed no class and I am embarrassed to root for the same team as them.

I honestly hope that no one applauds the efforts of the guy who threw the cup at Ron Artest. He was the catalyst in what is a scar against a reputation the Pistons fans have earned throughout the league as the best fans. Do not judge the rest of us by the actions of one idiot. What happened last night was not funny. What happened last night was unfortunate. When you attend a sporting event of any variety you are not a participant, you are merely an observer. What went on on the court may emotionally charge though, though you have absolutely no right to act out.

Why would you do this? What could you possibly gain from this? I just cannot understand.