My revised look on this and resons why the commissioner went too far.

1. Back in 1996, the NBA claimed to have "set the standard" because then Houston Rockets player Vernon Maxwell was suspended 10 games for going into the stands and attacking a fan who was making fun of his dead child.

What makes this different then what Artest did other then the fact that Steven Jackson followed him into the stands and the other fans attacked Artest and Jackson and it got totally out of control. If the fans wouldn't have blindsided Artest's face with a haymaker instead of just try to get him seperated, maybe that would be a different story. Suspensions make sense....but the length is what I do not agree with.

2. According to NBA commish David Stern, he suspended Jermaine O'neal for punching that fan on the floor. Ok i understand that. But 25 games? A. The fan shouldn't have even been out on the floor. Most arena's make rules saying that fans who come out on the floor will be arrested and prosecuted for tresspassing. Clearly fans who come out onto the floor proves that the players are in danger, especially when that fan came running out and made a move towards Ron Artest.

Personally I dont blame them


Although Kudos to Mr. Technical Foul (Rasheed Wallace). I never expected he would be the Pistons player to be the peacemaker....shows that all bad boys have a good side


Now that all the suspensions are in place and the NBA Players Association will come to the rescue, I don't see why any of the players will serve the full suspensions (with exception of the 1 game suspension guys).

I think this is now a dead issue and there is no reason to discuss it any further.