I was intrigued by today’s VotD [now posted below]. Mostly because I didn’t remember this brawl. It took place well before the Knicks-Heat, Pacers-Pistons and Nuggets-Knicks fights. Basically, it took place well before basketball fights were considered the end of the world.
The Knicks-Suns donnybrook took place in a better time when physical play in basketball was expected and players would come off the bench to defend their teammates. Hell, if Greg Anthony hadn’t come punched Kevin Johnson in the back of the head in street clothes, he probably wouldn’t have been suspended.
As I was watching the video, I was thinking “God, what an awful Godless time that was. Look at those fucking barbarians! A bunch of punks! Basketball is so much better off these days.”
Then I started to think about who was involved. Let’s take a look at what happened to some of the thugs who participated in this awful event.
Kevin Johnson – Mayor of Sacramento
Doc Rivers - Head Coach, Boston Celtics
Charles Barkley – Not fined – Cornerstone of TNT’s Emmy-Winning “Inside the NBA.” Hall of Fame Class of 2006.
Danny Ainge – General Manager, Boston Celtics
Patrick Ewing – Not Fined – Assistant Coach, Orlando Magic. Hall of Fame Class of 2008.
Greg Anthony – Former ESPN personality. Current CBS and Yahoo! Sports correspondent.
Anthony Mason – Appeared in Eddie. OK, I guess he’s the exception that proves the rule.
Charles Smith - Executive Director of the NBRPA (National Basketball Retired Players Association)
Rolando Blackman – Director of Basketball Development, Dallas Mavericks
Hubert Davis – ESPN College Basketball Analyst
Tom Chambers – Real Estate Agent
My point? Most of these kids turned out alright. This is something that Bill Simmons touches on from time to time, but basketball is a physical sport. Tempers flare. Shit happens. People who are friends get in each others’ faces. And the league didn’t fold.
These teams went on to be the top seeds in their respective conferences. This version of the Knicks went on to reach the Eastern Conference Finals where they lost 4-2 to the Bulls. The Suns reached the Finals where they lost to the Bulls.
Wouldn’t it be nice if we could go back to these times? Back when we didn’t have to bitch and moan when Rajon Rondo goes upside somebody’s head because he should be suspended. Amare Stoudemire could put his foot on the floor and not get suspended. Players could just go hard, get in each others’ faces and play basketball. Instead, the NBA continues to lead the way in the pussification of America. Who knows, maybe Stephen Jackson can still grow up to be President.
This post is irresponsible, don’t you know that the brawl at the Palace was the second biggest tragedy in US history? If I remember correctly, 2,719 people died that day. You should be ashamed.
But CRM, you like UFC, aren’t the fighters supposed to be nice and cordial after beating the shit out of each other? At least that’s what the MSM media keeps telling me.
Pistons fans are still the worst in the world, right?
Did I mention how much I still hate Greg Anthony? If so, can I mention it again?
what happened to john starks? i used to light it up from behind the arc with him in nba jam.
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair…
My swing > Tiger’s swing
Have we ever posted Spence’s golf swing video as the video of the day? Cause I think we should.
He died at the Malice in the Palace. I think the Mayor killed him or something.
Oh how I miss the good old days in the NBA. The vaginafied NBA sucks.
Greg Anthony is a bitch.
now that’s a country id like to live in.