[meaubry]

What's done is done - the league and the law will enforce what they can. Anyone that thinks this was an isolated incident, has been watching ESPN sound bites for too long. Because everyone is only seeing the big fight, no one knows what had happened during the time preceding the incident. Too bad, because that is what really caused the event to occur. The whole game was played "on the edge" and the situation was fueled by the bad blood between these 2 teams and certain players. Because the score and the time left on the clock - the Pacers last possession ended up with Ron A getting inside the paint and Ben W letting him lay it in without contesting it. He could have, but must have realized that the game was over - that basket wouldn't matter, cuz Indiana had won the game and contesting the shot was meaningless. So with 45 seconds to go Ben is at the other end - probably thinking the same thing, when he feels a hand pushing him in the back of the head/neck. I think he just lost it, because he couldn't believe anyone would do that in that situation. Up by 12 or 15 and contesting a layup? Why?? Was Ron trying to send some sort of a message? I just don't get it - but then again this wasn't the first time Ron A started a fight at the end of a game between the Pacers and the Pistons - similar situation, similar results - 3 years ago with Corless Williamson. In that episode Artest hit Ben in the side of the head as he was trying to restore the peace - he got between the 2 others players and had his back to Ron. If I recall correctly in that incident and most others where fights occur between players the ref's and security immediately escort the ejected players from the court. Why were Ben W and Ron A still on the court? Why was Ron allowed to lie down on the scoring table and put a headset on?