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[firex]

I haven't commented on this whole fight debacle yet, and really, there's not much I can say about the actual fight. But in the aftermath I think the main thing I'm pulling out of this (and by earlier comments in the season) is that David Stern is, IMO, no longer fit to be the NBA commissioner. He's pandering way too much to the fans with quick-fix solutions instead of trying to make the NBA a better league overall and seems perfectly content with being antagonistic towards the players.

 

[theo]

so....how about those celtics!

 

[Shinobi]

Vote Rasheed Wallace and Jermaine O'Neal! I promise you'll see some great stuff with Sheed on the floor!

This point takes on more significance after last night's madness. :lol

The best news out of this whole ordeal is that we will no longer be inundated with bullshit extrapolation about the stupid MNF/Housewives incedent!! Hurrah!!

:lol :lol :lol Tell me about it...

the only downside to all this is that it happened on a Friday, so we have to wait the whole weekend to hear Kornheiser and Wilbon rant about this shit.

"Sorry no account Detroit Piston fans!"

:lol :lol :lol I can't wait for the Sports Reporters later today...no doubt they'll get on their high horse about how no athlete can touch a fan, even if he's got an AK-47 next to the temple of the player's wife. :lol Thankfully Wilbon and Kornheiser are a bit more honest, eschewing that sickening political correct bullshit that most of the media suscribes too.

Sorry, I have to post this.

Conan36X: But I mean, past the suspensions
Conan36X: Past the fines
Conan36X: What should be done?
molina118: Kimmel should be put back on in detroit
molina118: and the city of detroit apologize to Jimmy.

:lol :lol :lol

Holy shit....I still can't believe that happened. This is a pretty historic moment in sports...it's like the Rudy T/K Washington punch but x1000. I mean...where to start? The exchange between Wallace and Artest was a standard NBA rivalry fight...maybe a 2 game suspension for Ben and a fine for Artest normally. Then...it all went to hell. First of all, the lack of cops at such a tension filled game is inexcusable. At Red Sox-Yankees games their are dozens of cops just for this case and there aren't fans within 2 feet of the players in baseball. Then there's the thrown beer...that's totally out of line. From there, it escalated severly.

Artest had absolutely no right to go into the stands. I symphathize with him but you just CAN'T do that. He's gonna get a major suspension (30 games?) and he deserves it...but I don't think he should be banned for the year. Stephen Jackson should get the same punishment...his actions were a lot less excusable, but he was not the first to go into the stands. Jermaine should get a small suspension....his punch of other-wordly (it just came out of nowhere....you were just like "OH SNAP!" when watching it) but once a fan gets on the court, all bets are off IMO.

This incident is the culmination of so many things....the Detroit/Indiana rvalry (which immediately becomes the best in all sports, btw) which has gone on since Detroit fired Rick Carsisle, the insanity of Ron Artest, and the problem of beer being sold at sports events, which plagues all of pro sports.

Also, let me just point out that when watching the incident, you can't tell how it is to actually be there for a Pacer player. The tension is already high from the Wallace/Artest fight, so when fans start throwing stuff and (especially) run on the court, you feel as though you are surrounded by a mob. That's why I can't blame O'Neal too much...when there's a fan on the court that you percieve as a threat and he's being helped up by some other non-police guys (he can't tell whether or not they were trying to get the guy off the court), you think they are a threat.

And finally...no one has really said it yet...but race will be a huge factor in how this is percieved. The ramifications of this incident are REALLY far reaching and I think we'll be talking about for a long, long time.

EDIT- Btw, this incident could have been A LOT worse. No one got injured, which will keep the chargest and lawsuits to a minimum, I think.

Ah, I love reading your posts...it's like a moment of clarity. The point you raised about selling alcohol is the one that needs to be highlighted...I think it's a practice that should've been turfed years ago. I'm sick to death of athletes ALWAYS being the fall guy during situations like these, and the media constantly repeating the "if you buy a ticket you can do what you want" mantra, which just feeds this idea that you can throw beer cups at people.

Of course, this issue is just like the issue of banning cigarettes outright...it's all about revenue generated, and in both cases they add a decent chunk of change to the overall bottom line that wouldn't be easily replaced.

The only funny thing here was Jamaal Tinsley threatening to hit someone with a dustpan.

:lol I wondered what that thing was...

http://sports.espn.go.com/chat/sportsnation/story?id=1927371

It's great to see an entire half-hour of SportsCenter devoted to this brawl, then at commercial break, the viewing audience is subjected to the new "Grand Theft Auto" video game. Try telling your son or daughter that the mainstream media doesn't condone violence. Bravo, ESPN. Bravo.


:lol

"Oh but we don't make the news, we just report on it!!! (and we also blow it up completely out of proportion, make promos on it, devote entire broadcast segments to it, etc, etc, etc, etc...)

Fan Mike Ryan, of Clarkston, Mich., speaking about Artest, said: "I have no idea what happened. All of a sudden he was on top of me, punching me, saying, 'Did you do it? Did you do it?' "

"I said, 'No, man, no.' Then he got off of me and moved on to the next guy."

:lol That was classy of him. :lol

If this piglet and this tiger can live in peace, why can't the Pacers and Pistons?

:lol :lol :lol

 

[Shinobi]

:lol :lol :lol

But the real story in all this has been overlooked. Rasheed Wallace did nothing wrong!

:lol :lol :lol Good point...

Sadly, some players didn't seem to learn much from Friday's brawl. Because Alston just pulled a thug-like move on Duncan before the end of the half. With all the shit that has happened you'd think people would have more common sense. And the worst thing is it wasn't even called by the ref.

You know, I thought I saw something with Duncan earlier...but with his lack of response I figured it wasn't much of anything. Guess I was wrong.

Pop is gonna go Artest on them after that pathetic 4th quarter display.

:lol "Artest" is gonna be the new hot term in our lives now. But yeah, a simply stunning collapse...Spurs couldn't buy a bucket, Raptors D pressured them pretty well but I don't think the Spurs thought things were slipping until it was a 4 or 6 point gap. That lack of urgency really hurt their chances.

San Antonio 23 29 30 9 91 Final

Toronto 27 17 19 33 96

33-9 in the 4th?! :lol :lol :lol

Biggest fourth quarter comeback in Raptors franchise history. :lol And the funniest part is that Vince didn't even get a sniff in the fourth. :lol

"Well shit...guess they don't need me."

What's sad is that if Jalen and Vince had remained in the game, it would've remained a blow out. I don't think anyone expects either of them to stay in Toronto for long. I still like Jalen though, he's all heart.

Yeah he's all heart, but his shot selection is some of the worst I've ever seen. Say what you want about Vince, but at least he isn't chucking up 20-25 bad shots a night (save for the Clippers game). If he feels he hasn't got it, he simply doesn't shoot. Jalen's got no business running down the court and taking 22 footers with 17 on the shot clock and a hand in his face, and outside of a couple games that's pretty much all he's done this year. Come to think of it that's what Rafer has been doing as well, but since he's making his shots nobody gives a shit.

Well, if Carter can't be useful on the court anymore, he mine as well start working for the front office...

Quote:
Duncan was listening to his iPod during the 20-minute warmup before the game. On Tuesday, Carter was informed by the NBA that he couldn't listen to his because it violated the league's rules on proper attire. Carter told a reporter what Duncan was doing. ...


WAHHHHHHHH. WAHHHHHHHHHH.

:lol That is a pretty bitchy thing to do. Though it does highlight that just because you listen to your headphones during warmups, doesn't mean you're tuning out your teamates or being all about yourself, like some clowns in this town were making out (I mean maybe that's true with Vince, but it wouldn't be for that reason). Unless of course you think Tim Duncan is a selfish, me-first player. :lol

fuk man... I picked Artest as my number 2 pick at my Fantasy Draft
FUK!

The suspensions would be different if A: This wasn't Artest. B: This wasn't a small market like Indiana. I watched the whole thing with three other people who did not know of anyone on the Pacers or Pistons. They put a lot of the blame on Wallace for overreacting and the fans for instigating further action. They took little issue with Artest and that says something.

The biggest problem is that the sort of message this is going to send is that it's the players fault. Fans will feel fine with doing what they've been doing all along. There has been a history of fans provoking players, assulting them with insults both juvenile and racist and the player reacting. In each case it seems the fan gets a slap on the wrist and the player is made "an example of". Venon Maxwell, Jason Williams, Rodman and more. Yet, with each 'example' being made the problem only seems to escalate into to the situation we have now. Stern did make a statement about addressing the fan issue, but I don't see anyone talking about that statement. Maybe they don't talk about it because noone believes anything will actually be done about it. It was not just Artest who ran into the stands, it was many players and personall of the teams. This was obviously a matter of tensions being built up over time, fan-player disputes never resolves and obvious sign that security was not adequately taking care of problems on the fans side.

Also, if I hear the term 'professionals' or professionalism' one more time I am going to vomit so much Stephen King will be jealous. Professionalism is a modern buzzword for facade. That facade meaning lies. It's all about dishonesty. So let's be honest. We have a lot of overpaid imperfect people that are NBA players and we have a lot of imperfect fans who turn into major assholes with the addition of alcohol.

To me it's Assholes + Assholes = fights. Yet, only one side of assholes is being dealt with. This is leading to further player frustration and the boiling point that was reached friday.

Agreed 100%. I've been sick of the whole pandering to fans attitude for years, and again it comes from this stupid idea that fans can do whatever the fuck they want with no consequences, simply because they paid through the nose for their overpriced ticket.

Well no doubt, the point is this was extremely out of character, it's not likely to ever be repeated again.

Same with Jermaine O'Neal. Nobody seemed to notice that Ben Wallace saluted to the crowd to get rowdy, escalating a situation that really didn't need it.


I heard someone on ESPN Radio yesterday from the Indianopolis Star that made a great point. There was 47 seconds to go in a blowout game. Artest delivered a needlessly hard foul. Wallace delivered a shot right to his throat. Anytime a situation like that occurs, the two players are immediately escorted on the court. Why the hell were they still on the court for almost two minutes? Had the refs controlled the situation from the jump, this would never have gotten out of hand. Of course nothing is said publically by Stern about the refs, and if anything was done to them at all it'll be kept behind closed doors. Just more bullshit to add to the heap.

If you ask me, I think Ron and Jermaine got fucked. Jackson looked like he was becoming unglued long before that moment anyway, so I don't care much about him. But the suspensions were way overboard, done to appease the mainstream media and the full of shit fans who believe it's their right to provoke and prod athletes as they see fit like cattle. Let's not forget that almost everyone applauded the football player that blindsided that streaker during the Superbowl right before the second half kicker, and he wasn't a threat to do anything. So how that can be okay, but Jermaine smacking up someone who also came on the field and was looking to start shit, is completely beyond me. But hey, that's the way the world is...just completely full of shit.

 

[DMczaf]

Wade just killin' ankles left and right this season :lol

 

[Shinobi]

:lol :lol :lol @ first pic

 

[DarienA]

Shinobi I'm not even sure how you can say Ron got fucked... he went in to the stands. That's the end of it.

I agree with you about Jermaine though.

I want the fans who threw shit that can be identified barred from the stadium I'm tired of seeing that shit.

 

[levious]

this really puts things in perspective though... I remember the Cleveland Browns incident where throwing plastic beer bottles was okay in many people's eyes cause the ref's had made a questionable call. I was alone in arguing with my friends that the actions were inexcusable and the comments after the game by the owner and Carmen Policy were even more disgusting. Even the media was pretty split about the issue.

In this case though, it's hard to find anyone defending the actions of the fans.

outrage over actions of the refs versus outrage over action of the players. Do we really hate refs that much? What if a ref in the Cleveland game had attacked a beer thrower that game? Just find it all interesting.

 

[BatiGOOOOOOL]

Of course nothing is said publically by Stern about the refs, and if anything was done to them at all it'll be kept behind closed doors. Just more bullshit to add to the heap.

I don't think they'll take any measures against the refs, even behind close doors, because if you didn't notice, the DET/IND refs were yesterday in Toronto.

Stern needs to lay the hammer hard on everyone involved. Not just the players.

 

[Seth C]

 

[Matlock]

Honestly now, if you were a ref, would you jump in the middle of 40 possibly angry black dudes?

 

[Ramirez]

Artest got screwed,plain and simple.Jackson should have gotten the full season if anyone,no one even provoked him.

Wallace gets off practically scotch free and he is the person who started it all,ridiculous,IMO.

 

[levious]

no sport comes down on the instigator.

 

[Iceman]

The big question I got today was whether there has ever been an equivalent suspension in any other major sport?

I couldn't think of any myself. Hockey suspensions have been tame in comparison... how long have hockey players been suspended for fighting with fans?

 

[AirBrian]

There was that hockey suspension 2 years ago for pulling that guy down from behind (didn't he break his neck or something?). Didn't the "purp" get suspended for the rest of the season? My memory sucks today.

 

[Seth C]

Artest got screwed,plain and simple.Jackson should have gotten the full season if anyone,no one even provoked him.

Wallace gets off practically scotch free and he is the person who started it all,ridiculous,IMO.

Ben started it, but with another player. Big difference. Artest was the first to go in to the stands.

 

[Spectral Glider]

The whole thing is pure bullshit all the way around. Nobody wants to sit next to obnoxious, annoying fans. I friggen hate them. With the alcohol consumption, there's always going to be those kinda people. And there is never a good reason for throwing shit, never. But you'll probably never see much done about the alcohol because everyone knows all the leagues rely heavily on beer ad dollars. And fans, stay the fuck off the fields of play. You aren't part of the team, you're not even on the organizations payroll. Nothing stupid you do makes up for your lack of athletic ability nor does it make it more believable when you say, "we kicked your ass." YOU didn't do jack shit. Save that junk for your online gaming.

There is also never a good reason for jumping into the stands as a player. Even because of a plastic cup. What good does it do? What do you possibly believe that accomplishes? A few months back I was at a concert and got plunked in the head by a cup or something, I turned around and looked. And of course, with a sea of people behind me, how the hell would I know who threw it? Am I supposed to just start flailing away on everyone like some brainless twit? Come on. And all this "they disrespected me and my family" crap, Jesus H Christ, we all grew up on the playground with the mother jokes and tons of other nonsense. They were a piss poor reason for a fight then, and they're really a piss poor reason for a fight now. I'm just so sick of the whole thug life, posturing nonsense that appears to exist in sports these days. Give me a break.

And arenas, get some real security people. When people complain about assholes, do something about it for a change.

 

[levious]

There was that hockey suspension 2 years ago for pulling that guy down from behind (didn't he break his neck or something?). Didn't the "purp" get suspended for the rest of the season? My memory sucks today.

longest NHL suspension I can remember was 21 or so games... but I'm in no way an authority. And recently wasn't there criminal charges involved sometime?

Of course there was also that lifetime ban in baseball.

- I was thinking of Dale Hunter, 21 games, carried over to the following season. Longest I guess was 23 games, it was a "rest of the season" suspension. Bertuzzi in 2004 was 12 regular season games, but I don't now how many playoff games he missed on top.

 

[firex]

There was that hockey suspension 2 years ago for pulling that guy down from behind (didn't he break his neck or something?). Didn't the "purp" get suspended for the rest of the season? My memory sucks today.

I'm no NHL follower at all but that sounds similar to the Todd Bertuzzi incident last season... I forget if that got him suspended for the rest of the season or not, though.

 

[AirBrian]

I'm no NHL follower at all but that sounds similar to the Todd Bertuzzi incident last season... I forget if that got him suspended for the rest of the season or not, though.

That's it.

http://www.nhl.com/onthefly/news/2004/03/206088.html

He was suspened for the remainder of the season and has to apply to play once they resume playing.

 

[Cloudy]

I'm gonna vote Artest into the ASG everyday till the balloting ends :lol

 

[Ristamar]

The whole thing is pure bullshit all the way around. Nobody wants to sit next to obnoxious, annoying fans. I friggen hate them. With the alcohol consumption, there's always going to be those kinda people.

I was at a Wizards game a few years ago stuck near a few guys that were total assholes. I completely agree, there will always be those types at the game, but unfortunately, I can't see that ever changing.

I am surprised the Pistons organization wasn't fined or hit with some sort of punitive actions/damages, being responsible for the actions of their own fans and environment, to an extent. I was expecting some other announcement or further investigation after the suspensions, but it seems it's not coming...

 

[Flizzzipper]

David Stern would be cool in my book if he agreed to attend the next Pacers home game.

 

[Ninja Scooter]

not only was Mig at the game, but he's apparently also found work as an NBA referee!

btw, did anyone else hear that the bigass black dude who assaulted Fred Jones in the stands is apparently Ben Wallace's brother?

 

[Cloudy]

That's what I'm hearing here too but of course most of the homer sportsradio hosts don't even bring it up :lol

 

[Dilbert]

It's not an either/or situation. What the athletes did was wrong, AND what the fans did was wrong. The fact that some dipshit threw a beer at a player doesn't excuse what ensued. Also, there is a BIG difference between Ben Wallace's involvement, and what the Pacers collectively did. Wallace took offense to a hard foul and started something with another PLAYER. He wasn't up in the stands assaulting fans.

Yeah, Indiana's season is probably fucked...but what happens to YOUR life if you lose control one day, get into a barroom brawl, and end up in jail charged with assault? There are going to be consequences. Why should it be any different with these athletes? It's part of their job responsibility not to lose their cool out there...and they screwed up.

Fans are DEFINITELY a problem, though. When you can't go into an opposing stadium and cheer for your own team without being threatened or attacked (Oakland Raiders, anyone?), something is wrong. I mean, it's a bunch of millionaires running around in funny outfits, people -- it's not like you have some PERSONAL stake in what happens.

Also, if Stern was serious about creating a barrier between fans and players, he should start by reconsidering the expensive seats. The NBA is the only league where fans can be that close to the action with no restraint...and, quite frankly, the NBA's marketing has glorified fan involvement in the past. (Spike Lee, Jack Nicholson, etc.)

 

[Takuan]

so....how about those celtics!

:lol Celtics are now first in the atlantic with a 4-4 record. :lol

Funny how fairly cruddy teams ended two good teams' winning streaks yesterday.

 

[theo]

the celtics have played 8 great games this year, and the 4 games that they lost were because they didnt show up for the 4th period. they are playing much better than i expected them to this year.

 

[Shinobi]

Shinobi I'm not even sure how you can say Ron got fucked... he went in to the stands. That's the end of it.

I agree with you about Jermaine though.

I want the fans who threw shit that can be identified barred from the stadium I'm tired of seeing that shit.

Just comparing it to previous events...as others have said, Vernon Maxwell went after someone in the stands and only got ten games. Though I think most people understood he had pretty good reason (the verbal abuse related to a death in his family). But hell, Artest had a full cup of liquid land on his fucking face. He wasn't even really swinging either, until he got down to the floor where at that moment all bets are off. I think 40 games would've been fine...no need to fuck the entire team over.

I don't think they'll take any measures against the refs, even behind close doors, because if you didn't notice, the DET/IND refs were yesterday in Toronto.

Can't say I really pay attention to those people...though they made some lousy calls (and non-calls) on both sides, as usual.

Honestly now, if you were a ref, would you jump in the middle of 40 possibly angry black dudes?

Weren't they trying to jump into the middle of 80 black and 30 white dudes later on? WTF is the difference? Pulling Wallace out as soon as that foul occurred wouldn't have taken that much guts, nor would it have been that much trouble. But whatever.

LOL, check out SI's front page pic...

:lol That's just beautiful.

Ron Artest just issued a statement...I imagine it'll be up on websites sometime this hour.

 

[Cloudy]

Now they're saying charges will be filed against fans, players and team personnel. Stern is probably fuming :lol

 

[Xenon]

I dont see what all the fuss is about. If anyone working in the real world did what Artest did they would be fired and have a hard time finding a new job. He went into the stands and attacked the WRONG guy. If he would have kept his cool let security figure out who threw the cup this shit would have never happened. Instead he acted like a punk. He deserved everything he received if not more.

The fan also needs to be barred from ever attending a NBA game again. They should put a restraining order on his ass so he cant come within 50 feet of any NBA event. He also should get jail time.

 

[levious]

Now they're saying charges will be filed against fans, players and team personnel. Stern is probably fuming :lol

Why would you think that? Everyone surely expected this. I don't see how people are interpreting Stern's actions as singling out the players... they're the only one's he had direct authority over. Maybe he could have fined the Pistons as well, but that's probably a moot debate.

 

[Eminem]

http://www.nba.com/allstar2005/asb/eng/ballot.html

vote o'neal!

 

[DarienA]

Just comparing it to previous events...as others have said, Vernon Maxwell went after someone in the stands and only got ten games. Though I think most people understood he had pretty good reason (the verbal abuse related to a death in his family). But hell, Artest had a full cup of liquid land on his fucking face. He wasn't even really swinging either, until he got down to the floor where at that moment all bets are off. I think 40 games would've been fine...no need to fuck the entire team over.

You realize Artest is catching shit because a cumulative thing? Stretching back to last season... Maybe this viewed by itself by somebody who'd never done anything else in the league before might have gotten 40... but with Artest is just one more thing on the pile. I know it might not be right... but... shit happens. I just don't think he should be defended. Sorry a cup splashes on my chest and the liquid spills out everywhere including my face... I'm going to put my career, and paycheck at risk because of that? I'd be pissed for sure... but going in to the stands is a no no, plain and simple, add insult to injury... he went after the wrong guy.

First, it is very important to me that people understand that I didn't mean for the situation to turn out like it did.

It really hurt me to see the children crying on TV, and I think about how it could have been my own kids. I also regret and apologize to fans who were upset by what happened.

I have always been a huge fan of the NBA, and I always will be. I have total respect for all the players who play the game, and I respect David Stern, but I don't think that he has been fair with me in his situation.

I think people know that I have always tried to interact positively with fans in every arena that I've been to. I am deeply sorry for the Pacers, people in the state of Indiana and everywhere else in America and around the world where there are NBA fans who have seen me turn things around in my life the past few years.

 

[levious]

Lebron James Nail Biting
NBA approved Nail Biting Cure
Try a sample -or- Buy 3 Get 1 free

What the hell? Oddest ad I've ever seen.

 

[DMczaf]

What's funny is that this is like the 3rd time a fan has thrown something at Artest during a game, I guess the 3rd time was the charm. :lol

 

[Shinobi]

You realize Artest is catching shit because a cumulative thing? Stretching back to last season... Maybe this viewed by itself by somebody who'd never done anything else in the league before might have gotten 40... but with Artest is just one more thing on the pile. I know it might not be right... but... shit happens. I just don't think he should be defended. Sorry a cup splashes on my chest and the liquid spills out everywhere including my face... I'm going to put my career, and paycheck at risk because of that? I'd be pissed for sure... but going in to the stands is a no no, plain and simple, add insult to injury... he went after the wrong guy.

Heh what, you forget that Vernon Maxwell was a hot head himself? He was viewed in the same light as Rodman for a time, before the Worm completely lost his mind. Here's a bit of his rapsheet.

http://www.cracksmoker.com/NBA/NBA MaxwellV.htm

Granted some of that stuff happened after his altercation with the fan, but he was one of the primary trouble guys in the league beforehand. Yet he still only got ten games.

I don't disagree that what Artest got was a acculmative deal, and that's a rationale I agree with. I just think he got too much.

 

[Cloudy]

Toronto Raptors superstar Vince Carter, struggling through his worst season ever, said his dunking days are all but done.

"I don't want to dunk anymore," Carter told Sportsnet.

Although he asserted that his skills haven't diminished, Carter said dunking is overrated and unnecessary.

"You can make a layup and reach the free throw line," said Carter, who is averaging 3.18 free throws a game this season, well below the seven he averaged during his best offensive years from 1999 to 2001. His 14.5 points per game is also his lowest average since becoming a professional.

Raptors point guard Rafer Alston said that he himself should shoulder some of the blame for Carter's early struggles, saying he hasn't found Carter enough early in the season, or perhaps he should reduce his own amount of shots.

"I'm not going to let him take all the credit," said Carter about Alston's remarks. "I just haven't found my shot yet."

For more of the interview with Vince Carter, watch Sportsnetnews tonight

VC is losing it :lol

 

[DMczaf]

WTF? Canadian crack has some weird ass effects. :lol

 

[DMczaf]

Watching Game 6 of the 1993 NBA Finals on NBATV

<Bob Costas> You talked about retirement in the next 2-3 years, could you retire with the streak still intact?

<Jordan> Nah! My love is strong for this game, and I'll continue playing if my love is still strong



Hakeem, I know you were involved in the murder of MJ's dad!!

 

[Fifty]

That Vince quote.....Wow. http://www.sportsnet.ca/nba/article.jsp?content=20041122_143038_5228

I mean....He must want us to hate him.

 

[Master Z]

Fuck Vince Carter! Why is he gonna say shit like that? It's like when a little kid gets mad, "well...well...I won't dunk anymore, so there!" What a little bitch. I used to believe in you Vince...

 

[Bat]

Is it just me or has Artest's name been taken off the All-Star ballot?

Anyways, it is WAY too early to do voting, but here are my current picks:

East: D. Wade, LeBron, Grant Hill (though there's a 90% chance he goes down before the end of the season), J. O'Neal (suspension or not), S. O'Neal

West: Nash, Kobe, Garnett, Duncan, Yao

 

[Cloudy]

OMG, they took his name off..even as a write in. SO FUKKEN GHEY!!!

 

[levious]

Jordan and Pippen did the same thing for almost a year, I really think the turning point was a huge missed breakaway dunk by Jordan in MSG in the playoffs. After that, he and Pippen for a good stretch would literally get high enough to dunk and just drop the ball through.

 

[Cloudy]

Some poster on clublakers.com who's been claiming to be Tony Bobbit's gf is saying Rush will be traded soon and Bobbit will be signed. She seems pretty credible...

Rush to Pacers? It'll be sad to see him go but dude is not getting a chance at all with Kobe playing like 43 mins a game (Lakers keep blowing leads :lol). Hope he blows up wherever he goes if this is true

 

[Poody]

Some poster on clublakers.com who's been claiming to be Tony Bobbit's gf is saying Rush will be traded soon and Bobbit will be signed. She seems pretty credible...

Rush to Pacers? It'll be sad to see him go but dude is not getting a chance at all with Kobe playing like 43 mins a game (Lakers keep blowing leads :lol). Hope he blows up wherever he goes if this is true

yeah read that earlier... stupid bitch prolly fake.

Face it kareem's been sucking. All he does is fade away even when hes open. Lets hope he fades away to indian along with Gump.

Brown sucks ass too. He has no courtvision what so ever. And does his stupid 2 step everytime he drives to the lane.

 

[Loki]

Some poster on clublakers.com who's been claiming to be Tony Bobbit's gf is saying Rush will be traded soon and Bobbit will be signed. She seems pretty credible...

Rush to Pacers? It'll be sad to see him go but dude is not getting a chance at all with Kobe playing like 43 mins a game (Lakers keep blowing leads :lol). Hope he blows up wherever he goes if this is true

Who's Tony Bobbit? Rookie? Is he a noted player?


Hah, I think it's great that Konex has finally found a Laker soulmate in Poody. They are both on top of all the latest Laker news and can share Kobe love stories. Bionic's been cuckolded, methinks. :lol Bionic = out; Poody = in.

 

[DMczaf]

Bionic...move doooown the bench.

 

[Cloudy]

Bobbit is a guy who didn't make it off the pre-season roster due to space. I think I like Tierre Brown's game better if he can actually not lose control in the lane. Bobbit is a better shooter though

Loki, there are many Lakers fans in this thread besides me and Bionic