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NBA
Artest barred for rest of season
Associated Press
Published November 22, 2004
NEW YORK - Ron Artest was suspended for the rest of the season Sunday and two Pacers teammates must miss a total of 55 games for fighting with fans in a melee that broke out at the end of Friday's game against the Pistons.
Overall, the NBA banned nine players for more than 140 games, some of the harshest penalties ever issued. Artest is the first player to be suspended for nearly an entire season for a fight during a game.
"The message the league sent was so powerful to players that they'll never do that again," Pistons CEO Tom Wilson said.
Indiana's Stephen Jackson was suspended for 30 games and Jermaine O'Neal for 25. Detroit's Ben Wallace, whose shove of Artest after a foul led to the five-minute fracas, drew a six-game ban, and Pacers guard Anthony Johnson got five.
"I'm sick about that for Indiana. I'm devastated for them," Pistons coach Larry Brown said. "And we lost our heart and soul."
Four players were suspended for a game each, Indiana's Reggie Miller and Detroit's Chauncey Billups, Elden Campbell and Derrick Coleman.
All the suspensions are without pay.
"We have to make the point that there are boundaries in our games," commissioner David Stern said. "One of our boundaries, that have always been immutable, is the boundary that separate the fans from the court. Players cannot lose control and move into the stands."
Artest, O'Neal and Jackson, who threw punches at fans, began serving Saturday, before their team's 86-83 loss to the Magic.
[Last modified November 22, 2004, 12:09:12]
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