The Problem With the NBA

Without a true national superstar and declining attendance, the National Basketball Association (NBS) was hoping for a smooth season with little or no controversy. That hope ended Friday night at the Pacers-Pistons game in Detroit.

With less than a minute in the game Indiana's Ron Artest and others become involved in the biggest brawl involving fans in history. The tape of the incident has been shown countless times all over the media. It shows an out of control Artest storming the stands and confronting and beating fans. It was, as many say, deplorable,

To its credit the NBA took swift and harsh action against Artest and other members of the Pacers and the Pistons. Artest is out for the season. Other Pacer players are out for as long as 30 games and a player for the Pistons is out for 6 games. The NBA's decision for the suspensions "without" pay is admirable.

The actions of Artest and others is a symptom of other problems in the NBA. The NBA was the first professional sports organization to draft undergraduate, non-graduates, and high school players. This has left the NBA with under-educated and uneducated players. If has left the NBA with very rich young men who do not understand how to behave professionally. You only have to look at the Kobe Bryant case to understand the inability for some NBA players to understand society's rules and prohibitions. Bryant's case is only the tip of the iceberg.

Other NBA players have been involved in murder, drugs, and other crimes. To its credit, the NBA has taken measures against most of these players. You do, however, need to wonder why Michael Jordan was NEVER looked at by the NBA for his gambling habits. Did Jordan ever bet on the NBA or the Bulls? No one knows because there was no investigation.

The NBA did the right thing in this case. Now Artest will have the time to work on his rap album. Will Artest return to the court? It is unlikely that Artest will return to the Pacers. Too many problems, too many times. What other team will take him? Who knows.
NBA.com: NBA Announces Suspensions From Pistons-Pacers Game