Y'all get paid too much to show out like that
PLAYERS VS. FANS
Palace Revolt
In one of the ugliest moments in NBA history, Artest leads charge into the stands and punches fans, who fire back at players, before Pacer-Piston game is called off
From Associated Press
November 20, 2004
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Fists were flying. So were cups, plastic bottles and even a chair in one of the ugliest NBA brawls ever — and Indiana's Ron Artest was right in the middle of it.
Artest and Stephen Jackson charged into the stands and fought with fans in the final minute of their game against the Detroit Pistons on Friday night, and the brawl forced an early end to the Pacers' 97-82 victory at the Palace of Auburn Hills.
Officials stopped the game with 45.9 seconds remaining after pushing and shoving between the teams spilled into the stands once fans got involved by throwing things at the players near the scorer's table.
"It's the ugliest thing I've seen as a coach or player," said Piston Coach Larry Brown, who was in the middle of the confrontation, trying to break it up.
After several minutes of players fighting with fans in the stands, a chair, beer, ice, and popcorn were thrown at the Pacers as they made their way to the locker room.
"I felt like I was fighting for my life out there," Pacer Coach Rick Carlisle said. "I've been around 20 years and I've never seen or been involved in anything quite like that."
The Palace announcer said the game was being stopped and pleaded with fans not to throw things.
The NBA had no immediate comment.
Billy Hunter, executive director of the NBA Players Assn., called the situation ugly.
"It's almost like we're getting hooligans like they have in European soccer," Hunter said.
