Antonio Davis ejected from Game!

[biological warrior]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10916711/

[st.cronin]

Just by what I'm seeing on Sportscenter, it seems as though he acted quite appropriately. I think I would have behaved with much less restraint.

[Neuqua]

I watched the game.

I would've done exactly what Davis had done. He said that he had looked up into the stands and saw his wife fall back. By instinct he ran up to see what was going on, nothing physical occured. The fan was kicked out and Davis ejected.

I don't blame him one bit though.

Oh, and the Bulls beat the Knicks. Always a good thing.

[miami_fan]

So this will be a worthwhile 10 game suspension

[Karlifornia]

You know when Brown saw Davis go into the stands he had to be thinking "Not again..."

[DaddyTorgo]

hey at least the guy was sticking up for his wife and not beating her

*cough* Jason Kidd *cough*

[Deattribution]

As great of a coach as Brown is, you'd of think he'd of taught his players the game is on the court not in the stands by now.

[Eaglesfan27]

As great of a coach as Brown is, you'd of think he'd of taught his players the game is on the court not in the stands by now.
I don't care what my boss/coach etc had taught me. If I saw a situation in which I thought my wife was in danger, I would have reacted exactly the same way Antonio did.

[Raiders Army]

Dude shouldn't have gotten ejected. He didn't even look like he was going to take a swing at anyone.

[Ksyrup]

He had to be ejected. If a fine/suspension is discretionary, unless there's more to this story than we've heard so far, I think they should drop it.

[stevew]

Nice gesture. Too bad he's gotten away with highway robbery for the term of his latest contract, however.

[Mustang]

Go into the stands and you are ejected
Go onto the field or physically abuse the athletes from the stands and you are arrested.

Keep it simple. Black & White.. you can sort out the gray areas afterwards.. Otherwise you turn this into the refs having to make judgement calls on what is or isn't ok.

Having said that, I would have done the same thing...

[miami_fan]

He has to be ejected. That is the way the rule is written. I think he will be suspended as well. MOST people believe that there is no reason whatsoever for a player to go into the stands. Now would I have done the same exact thing if I was in his position? Yes. If it is less than a 10 game suspension, I will be shocked. Now the other part of this story has to be adressed as well. Here is another incident of family members and fans confronting each other at a game. I don't know if family members should be separated from the rest of the crowd but I think this is the third or fourth recent incident where a fan has gotten involved with a female family member of a player. I know it was "cute" when Clinton Portis' mom hit someone, and I vaguely remember a baseball player's family member was slapped at a playoff game last year. At some point, this is going to have to be addressed or we are going to continue to see these types of problems popping up

[Huckleberry]

MOST people believe that there is no reason whatsoever for a player to go into the stands. Now would I have done the same exact thing if I was in his position? Yes.
I would be surprised if most people didn't accept some drunk asshole messing with your wife valid grounds for going into the stands. JMO.

[miami_fan]

I would be surprised if most people didn't accept some drunk asshole messing with your wife valid grounds for going into the stands. JMO.

From all that I have read and heard so far today, most people understand why he went. They aren't necessarily ready to make that leap to it was the correct decision. Remember, David Stern is still working his ass off trying to repair the NBA's image. I doubt he would want to give anyone any excuse to jump into the stands.

[sovereignstar]

I think there are a few too many white knights in this thread. We're talking about an arena filled with thousands of fans and a lot of good samaritans (I should hope). There is no situation that should arise where a player has to freak out and fly into the stands.

How many of you are bringing this story up with your wives so you can get some hardcore "oh, you're my hero" sex tonight?

[Mustang]

I think there are a few too many white knights in this thread. We're talking about an arena filled with thousands of fans and a lot of good samaritans (I should hope).

Hey look.. someone is arguing with my wife. Sure hope it doesn't get physical.. oh well. If it does, hope someone is there to break it up.

[sovereignstar]

Hey look.. someone is arguing with my wife. Sure hope it doesn't get physical.. oh well. If it does, hope someone is there to break it up.

So the only option is to jump into the stands? Not try to divert your attention to the stands? Seriously, if there is a fucking player on the court who is yelling or pointing up to the stands, what do you think is gonna happen?

[Rasmuth]

I have no issues with what he did...he saw his wife might be in trouble and he moved to protect and help her...

If he didn't and something did happen to her...he'd be crucified for not reacting....it's a lose/lose situation for him in this particular case..

[Mustang]

So the only option is to jump into the stands?

No the only option is to jump into the stands but, to take the stance that anyone that would do that is a 'White Knight' is ridiculous. The time between him shouting and pointing a finger, the people in the stands have to take that information in, process what is going on and then you are hoping they take action. In the time for that to happen he could be up there to protect his wife...

[JonInMiddleGA]

We're talking about an arena filled with thousands of fans and a lot of good samaritans (I should hope).

Boy do we ever have different impressions about the average attendee of an NBA game.

Hope there might be a good samaritan nearby? Sure, no problem.

Wait to find out while my wife is in what appears to be some sort of jeopardy? Not a single fucking chance.

[sovereignstar]

No the only option is to jump into the stands but, to take the stance that anyone that would do that is a 'White Knight' is ridiculous. The time between him shouting and pointing a finger, the people in the stands have to take that information in, process what is going on and then you are hoping they take action. In the time for that to happen he could be up there to protect his wife...

Just seems like such a caveman mentality to me.

[Anthony]

i wouldn't jump in if i was an innocent bystander. i assume a portion of my overpriced ticket pays for security and i have no problem letting them handle the situation.

EDIT: edit to point out that i wouldn't jump in to protect a stranger in a sports arena. i would obviously protect my own family. but as far as other people's safety is concerned - that's for the arena/team management to worry about.

[Mustang]

Just seems like such a caveman mentality to me.

Atouk alunda Lana

[PackerFanatic]

I can completely understand why he would do it. Granted, like it has been stated, if he would have tried to divert attention up there, someone may or may not have done something. Either way, he went off of his gut instinct and that was to go help her himself. He realizes it wasn't the right decision and I am sure that no one will be surprised if he gets suspended, him least of all. Despite this being his job and all that, his wife is probably most important to him and he could care less about being suspended a couple of games, at least he knows his wife is safe. That is my take on it, at least.

[miami_fan]

From Steve Kerr

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=sk-davis011806&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

[sterlingice]

Boy do we ever have different impressions about the average attendee of an NBA game.You mean the same fans from the infamous Ron Artest game?

SI

[st.cronin]

Just seems like such a caveman mentality to me.

Just out of curiosity, are you married or in a serious relationship? I'm thinking you might feel differently if you were.

[miami_fan]

On the subject of security, anybody else find it rather strange and disconcerting that Davis, going from the sideline then to the middle of the court, beat the security personnel to the incident?

[sovereignstar]

Just out of curiosity, are you married or in a serious relationship? I'm thinking you might feel differently if you were.

Not currently, but I know what love is, so you can toss that shitty card out.

[rkmsuf]

That's pretty much what half the guys do all game anyway...gaze into the stands.

[JonInMiddleGA]

... anybody else find it rather strange and disconcerting that Davis, going from the sideline then to the middle of the court, beat the security personnel to the incident?

Why not at all, I mean, the esteemed Steve Kerr says the players have to trust the ability of those highly trained professionals :rolleyes:

[Mustang]

but I know what love is

http://www.ssuniverse.com/pictures/Vav/gump.jpg

I couldn't resist. :D

[JonInMiddleGA]

I couldn't resist. :D

I know what you mean :D

http://www.4eigner.net/shared/coverarts/fr1984s.jpg

[sovereignstar]

oh shi

[Eaglesfan27]

Sovereignstar, I'd agree with your point if a guy was just jumping into the stands to protect a woman that he doesn't know and to impress her into dating him or something. However, it is a totally different situation if a family member is in danger. To me, it is then clearly a duty to do what I can to protect my loved one.

[st.cronin]

Sovereignstar, I'd agree with your point if a guy was just jumping into the stands to protect a woman that he doesn't know and to impress her into dating him or something. However, it is a totally different situation if a family member is in danger. To me, it is then clearly a duty to do what I can to protect my loved one.

I would go so far as to say it's just instinct. Having been in a similiar situation, what struck me was that my brain went to 'off' - I was all action, no reason.

[Eaglesfan27]

I think there are a few too many white knights in this thread. We're talking about an arena filled with thousands of fans and a lot of good samaritans (I should hope). There is no situation that should arise where a player has to freak out and fly into the stands.

How many of you are bringing this story up with your wives so you can get some hardcore "oh, you're my hero" sex tonight?
Dola -

Unfortunately, I don't think this would work that well for us married folk :(

[rkmsuf]

This could spark a whole new strategy. Systematically harass wives and get the other team's players ejected. Pretty soon well have designated "goons" to run up in the stands to protect. Chuck Nevitt was perfect for this.

[Huckleberry]

Sovereignstar, I'd agree with your point if a guy was just jumping into the stands to protect a woman that he doesn't know and to impress her into dating him or something. However, it is a totally different situation if a family member is in danger. To me, it is then clearly a duty to do what I can to protect my loved one.
What he said.

Just seems like such a caveman mentality to me.
It is. But that's not a bad thing. There's a reason the descendents of cavemen run the planet. I'm thinking the instinct of defending your mate's well-being is probably a beneficial trait to have.

Unless you don't want to offend somebody's sensibilities that reads about it on a message board.

[Desnudo]

Has anyone asked where his posse was? I mean wtf is a posse good for if not protecting your loved ones?

[Solecismic]

If Davis receives anything more than a promise that security will do more to protect the families of players in the future, it's proof that David Stern has no clue how to run the NBA.

You can't tell a man he can't protect his family. If he followed the guy and punched him, yeah, suspend him for a long time. But he did nothing wrong and the ejection rule needs to be modified to give the referee some discretion.

[miami_fan]

i wouldn't jump in if i was an innocent bystander. i assume a portion of my overpriced ticket pays for security and i have no problem letting them handle the situation.

EDIT: edit to point out that i wouldn't jump in to protect a stranger in a sports arena. i would obviously protect my own family. but as far as other people's safety is concerned - that's for the arena/team management to worry about.

Actually the NBA is depending other fans to point out the problem children in the crowd so that sercurity can remove them. Here is Chicago's version of the fan code of conduct the NBA enacted after the Detroit brawl

Chicago Bulls Fan Code of Conduct

The National Basketball Association, Chicago Bulls, and the United Center are committed to creating a safe, comfortable, and enjoyable sports & entertainment experience. NBA fans have a right to expect an environment where:


Players will respect and appreciate each and every fan.

Guests will be treated in a consistent, professional and courteous manner by all arena and team personnel.

Guests will enjoy the basketball experience free from disruptive behavior, including foul or abusive language or obscene gestures.

Guests will consume alcoholic beverages in a responsible manner.

Intervention with an impaired, intoxicated or underage guest will be handled in a prompt and safe manner.

Guests will sit only in their ticketed seats and show their tickets when requested.

Guests will not engage in fighting, throwing objects or attempting to enter the court, and those who engage in any of these actions will immediately be ejected from the game.

Guests will smoke in designated smoking areas only.

There will not be any obscene or indecent messages on signs or clothing.

Guests will comply with requests from arena staff regarding arena operations and emergency response procedures.

The arena staff has been trained to intervene where necessary to help ensure that the above expectations are met, and guests are encouraged to report any inappropriate behavior to the nearest usher, security guard or guest services staff member. Guests who choose not to adhere to these
provisions will be subject to ejection without refund and revocation of season tickets and may also be in violation of city ordinances resulting in possible arrest and prosecution.

The National Basketball Association, Chicago Bulls and United Center thank you for adhering to the provisions of the NBA Fan Code of Conduct.

[ChiMatt]

Looks like Davis might be more guilty than it originally looked. Maybe he should have been defending the guy from his wife...


From the Chicago Sun-Times


hxxp://www.suntimes.com/output/sports/bulls19.html#

[Pumpy Tudors]

On ESPN's "Cold Pizza" today, a man who was supposedly near Davis' wife at the game explained what he saw. He said that Mrs. Davis was cheering for the Knicks (of course), and the guy sitting behind her swore at her and told her to shut up. She then got out of her seat and put her finger in his face, telling him that he shouldn't talk to her like that. The guy told her to move her finger and she didn't, so he "not entirely unforcefully" (the eyewitness' words) grabbed her wrist and moved her hand out of his face. Then she put her hand in his face again, and he moved it again. According to the eyewitness, this hand-to-the-face thing went back and forth for about 30-45 seconds before Antonio Davis went into the stands.

On the show, they were just talking to this fan over the telephone, so there's no evidence that this guy was actually in the area or even at the game. If his account is true, it sounds like a few things happened in the stands that shouldn't have. First of all, the fan didn't need to say anything crude to Kendra Davis. On top of that, she didn't need to leave her seat and basically dare the man to touch her. If she felt threatened, she should have called security. When the man did touch her, she shouldn't have put herself in the same situation just to get touched again.

I'm not putting any blame on Antonio Davis here. He obviously didn't see everything that happened. He just thought his wife was in danger and went to protect her. I've got no problem with that. This just seems like one of those situations in which none of this had to happen.

[Deattribution]

If Davis receives anything more than a promise that security will do more to protect the families of players in the future, it's proof that David Stern has no clue how to run the NBA.

You can't tell a man he can't protect his family. If he followed the guy and punched him, yeah, suspend him for a long time. But he did nothing wrong and the ejection rule needs to be modified to give the referee some discretion.


What discretion? if the player feels the urge to run in the stands, he can if he thinks his judgement is in the right?

The NBA is already a joke - now they'll be even more a joke cause everyone will be saying

'watch out for those NBA players charging into the stands when ya goto the game buddy'

There's no circumstance, even in this case - where a player should go into the stands - none. The NFL deals with crowds 3 and 4 times bigger than the NBA, and so does the MLB - and neither sport has ever had the need for a player to go into the stands... and with MLB, you're talking about a sport that has been around a 100+ years.

It's nonsense, no excuse and he deserves to be suspended.

[Eaglesfan27]

Update from Foxnews as posted by the AP:



<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=440 border=0><TBODY><TR vAlign=top><TD>Associated Press
<!-- Meta Tag For Search --><!-- meta name="author" content=""--><!-- meta name="source" content="AP"--><!-- meta name="eventId" content=""--><!-- meta name="contentTypeCode" content="1"--><!-- meta name="editorContentCode" content="1"--><!-- meta name="blurb" content="The Knicks' Antonio Davis got a five-game suspension (/nba/story/5261690) for going into the stands in Chicago, and the Bulls fan he confronted is firing back. 22-year-old Michael Axelrod denies Davis' statement that he was drunk and says Davis' wife started it all by trying to scratch him."--><!-- meta name="modDate" content="January 19, 2006 22:57:18 GMT"-->Posted: 36 minutes ago<SCRIPT> // front-end hack to remove postedTime from Rumors page until a better way can be determined if (document.URL.indexOf("/name/FS/rumors") != -1) document.getElementById("postedTime").style.display = 'none'; </SCRIPT> </TD><TD width=10> </TD><TD align=right><!--this is for sponsorships or brandings--><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD><!-- workingCategoryId: 73--></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE class=bdy cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=770 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD height=5></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE class=bdy cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=770 border=0><TBODY><TR vAlign=top><TD width=10></TD><TD width=440><!-- search:</noindex> --><SCRIPT> if(fanid.length > 0 && typeof(nflDefaultLeague)!= "undefined") { leagueId = nflDefaultLeague; //find teamId of default league (if exists) for(var i=0; i < teamsInfo.length; i++){ if(teamsInfo[i][4] == leagueId){ defaultTeamId = teamsInfo[i][0]; } } var fantasyLeaguePlayerJsPath = 'http://msnfantasy.foxsports.com' + '/nugget/200002_' + leagueId + '|||' + fanid; } </SCRIPT>CHICAGO (AP) - New York Knicks forward Antonio Davis was suspended five games by the NBA on Thursday for entering the stands during a game at Chicago to confront a fan he thought was harassing his wife.


<STYLE>div.foxBite {margin-bottom:10px;border-bottom:1px solid black;border-top:1px solid black;padding:5px;}div.foxBite td {font-family:verdana;font-size:10px;}</STYLE>FOX Bite
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="95%" border=0><TBODY><TR vAlign=top><TD width="48%">Videos
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR vAlign=top><TD style="PADDING-RIGHT: 10px">http://msn.foxsports.com/id/5261150_45_1.jpg
http://msn.foxsports.com/fe/img/video_play_60.gif (javascript:oMvsLink('33','67b779f1-8dba-4286-9487-fb70de8d8ccd',0,'Sports','Top News','','','','','Fox%20Sports_Top%20News');)</TD><TD>Davis goes into stands (javascript:oMvsLink('33','67b779f1-8dba-4286-9487-fb70de8d8ccd',0,'Sports','Top News','','','','','Fox%20Sports_Top%20News');)
Check out the video of New York's Antonio Davis running into the stands to aid his family during a game against the Chicago Bulls.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
While the ruling by NBA vice president of basketball operations Stu Jackson showed the league accepted Davis' argument that he believed his wife was in trouble during Wednesday's game, it also made clear that entering the stands would not be tolerated, no matter the circumstances.

"We have made it plain to our players and our fans that players may not enter the spectator stands, no matter the provocation, and that violations of this policy will be treated with the utmost seriousness," Jackson said in a statement.

"We have concluded, however, that Antonio's actions were the result of his belief that his family members required his immediate assistance, and have taken those mitigating circumstances into account in setting the length of the suspension."

Davis' suspension will start with Thursday night's home game against Detroit. Ironically, the Pistons were the home team the last time players went into the stands - when Ron Artest and Stephen Jackson started an ugly brawl with fans in November 2004.

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An embarrassment for the NBA, the brawl led to criminal charges and lengthy suspensions for Artest, Jackson and Jermaine O'Neal.

The league was not nearly as harsh in this instance.

Davis, president of the NBA players' association, jumped over the scorer's table to get in the stands at the United Center.

"I witnessed my wife being threatened by a man that I learned later to be intoxicated," he said in a statement after the game. "I saw him touch her, and I know I should not have acted the way I did, but I would have felt terrible if I didn't react. There was no time to call security. It happened too quickly."

But 22-year-old Michael Axelrod said Kendra Davis tried to scratch him after he protested a call. Axelrod said he never laid a hand on Davis' wife and said he was not drunk.

"It's a lie. When I go to games, I cheer as hard as I can for the Bulls, and I boo as hard as I can for whoever they're playing," Axelrod said. "I don't feel comfortable if players are allowed to easily jump into the crowd whenever they feel like it's necessary."

Axelrod's father, David, is a prominent Democratic political consultant in Chicago who has worked with Senators Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton and Chicago mayor Richard M. Daley.

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=3 width=225 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>http://msn.foxsports.com/id/5261718_36_2.jpg</TD></TR><TR><TD class=caption>Bulls fan Michael Axelrod (left) stands with his attorney Jay Paul Deratany on Thursday in Chicago. (Brian Kersey / Associated Press)</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Axelrod's attorney, Jay Paul Deratany, said he planned to sue Davis and his wife for more than $1 million. Deratany said he was writing the papers Thursday for a battery suit against Kendra Davis and a slander case against Antonio Davis, and planned to file them Friday.

According to Axelrod, he was sitting in the seventh row and booed an official's call. Kendra Davis "came out of her seat. I didn't even pay attention to her. I thought she was just going to the bathroom or something," he said.

Axelrod, who was sitting a couple of rows behind her, said she yelled at him to be quiet. Axelrod said he did not know she was Davis' wife until the player ran into the stands.

Axelrod said Kendra Davis put both hands on his face, and that he motioned for security. He said she later went after another fan.

"I was glad she was done hitting me, but I didn't want her to hit anyone else," Axelrod said.

Antonio Davis appeared calm throughout and walked away willingly when security arrived. He returned to the bench and took his seat before being ejected. The game resumed after about a five-minute delay.

Axelrod was escorted to the concourse by security, but said he was allowed back into the arena and saw Ben Gordon's winning shot at the buzzer.

"His wife and kids were up there," Knicks guard Jamal Crawford said. "If you see your family in harm's way, you're going to go protect them. You're the man of the house, and at that point you're thinking like a regular human instead of an athlete."

United Center security remained in the stands for a few more minutes, and other fans appeared to be explaining what they had seen. Guards in suits and yellow jackets then escorted a group of people from the area.

Knicks coach Larry Brown said Davis went into the stands because he saw his wife "falling back."

Brown was coaching the Pistons in November 2004 when that ugly fight broke out in the stands between fans and Pacers during a Detroit home game. An embarrassment for the NBA, the brawl led to criminal charges and lengthy suspensions for Ron Artest, Jermaine O'Neal and Stephen Jackson.

But Brown was adamant that this situation should be viewed differently. "Come on, that's his wife," Brown said. "That's entirely different. I was worried about Kendra. That's why he went in the stands, he saw her falling back. "That thing that happened in the stands had nothing to do with the two teams. That's a man concerned about his family."

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>




I'm not a fan of the suspension, but I can understand it from the league's perspective. I find it outrageous from the facts stated that this guy is suing Davis for 1 million dollars.

[Raiders Army]

After watching it twice this morning while on the eliptical trainer, I still think that he was screwed. League and job be damned, I'm protecting my family. Not only that, but he didn't do anything but go up there and see what was going on.

[JonInMiddleGA]

It's now official ... the NBA execs don't have enough sense to run a rec ball league, much less something that's supposed to be "major league".

[Solecismic]

This is a joke. Five games and several hundred thousand dollars, plus this asshat is planning to sue.

Sorry, Deattribution, it's a special case when family is at risk. He should be commended for just getting up there and not being violent. This is not like the Artest case, and, if it had happened pre-Artest, I doubt he would have been suspended at all.

This asshat is already lawyered up and making demands when he should be banned for life from attending NBA games.

[albionmoonlight]

And (though I doubt he would say it officially) I am sure that Davis would do the exact same thing again in the exact same circumstances. I don't see how five games' pay would dissuade anyone from protecting their family. Nor, of course, should it.

[ISiddiqui]

This asshat is already lawyered up and making demands when he should be banned for life from attending NBA games.Banned for life for saying some not nice words and getting a finger pointed at his face? You wouldn't have moved someone's hand after you told them to get that finger out of your face?

If you'd ban someone from life from attending an NBA game for that than you are nuttier than David Stern and Bud Selig put together.

[bronconick]

Davis should counter-sue the guy for the amount of his lost wages for these 5 games.

[Solecismic]

Banned for life for saying some not nice words and getting a finger pointed at his face? You wouldn't have moved someone's hand after you told them to get that finger out of your face?

If you'd ban someone from life from attending an NBA game for that than you are nuttier than David Stern and Bud Selig put together.

I'd ban him for the lawsuit. We still don't know what happened, exactly. What we do know is that he was uninjured and is demanding $1 million.

[albionmoonlight]

I'd ban him for the lawsuit. We still don't know what happened, exactly. What we do know is that he was uninjured and is demanding $1 million.
Axelrod's father, David, is a prominent Democratic political consultant in Chicago who has worked with Senators Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton and Chicago mayor Richard M. Daley.
Don't you get it, Jim? The guy has an important Daddy. He's used to getting his way. And if something happens that he doesn't like, he'll hold his breath until he gets a million billion dollars. Or he'll get Daddy's lawyer to sue you. One of the two.

In a competiton between a typical NBA player and a typical 22 year old yuppie wannebe with a well-connected daddy, I would have a hard time picking out which of the two is a bigger spoiled brat.

[Deattribution]

This is a joke. Five games and several hundred thousand dollars, plus this asshat is planning to sue.

Sorry, Deattribution, it's a special case when family is at risk. He should be commended for just getting up there and not being violent. This is not like the Artest case, and, if it had happened pre-Artest, I doubt he would have been suspended at all.

This asshat is already lawyered up and making demands when he should be banned for life from attending NBA games.

I know it's a special case, and I can *understand* the reasoning for him doing it - but it just creates a complete nightmare for the league. He did what he felt he had to do (and mostly everyone would react that way), and I won't dog him for that - but the league had to do something to show they can't have this happening, regardless of the reasoning.

At the rate the NBA is going, they will be folded by 2020 if not sooner. Nobody even knows they exist unless something off the court happens until football season is over.

[moriarty]

I'd ban him for the lawsuit. We still don't know what happened, exactly. What we do know is that he was uninjured and is demanding $1 million.

He's been on the radio today saying all he wants is an apology to clear his name and a couple thousand for charity. The $1 million dollars supposedly came from a comment made to the press. Apparently they have to enter some dollar value in order to file a suit and they commented that dollar amount had to be 10,000 I think (to file), but it COULD be 50,000 100,000 or 1,000,000 and the AP ran with it as demanding $1mil.

He's been exonerated from any wrongdoing by the security staff, and the police. The videos seem to back up his case that he has done no wrongdoing and that Davis' wife was the one getting in his face. Davis' wife has (apparently) some history of getting a bit riled up at games.

He's been accused of being drunk and putting his hands on a woman (neither of which is apparently true, or at least there's no evidence). I think I'd want to at least clear my name and without the treat of a lawsuit how are you going to get an NBA player to do that.

Seems like someone's jumping a little quickly to conclusions here.

[Abe Sargent]

What discretion? if the player feels the urge to run in the stands, he can if he thinks his judgement is in the right?

There's no circumstance, even in this case - where a player should go into the stands - none. The NFL deals with crowds 3 and 4 times bigger than the NBA, and so does the MLB - and neither sport has ever had the need for a player to go into the stands... and with MLB, you're talking about a sport that has been around a 100+ years.

It's nonsense, no excuse and he deserves to be suspended.


See, I hate this sort of logic, and its the same logic that the league is taking as well. If I am a basketball player trained as a paramedic, and someone in the stands collapes and clutches his chest, are you saying that if I jumped into the stands and began performing CPR on the guy, I should be expelled from the game and then suspended for a few games (Maybe one, maybe three, who knows)? Would you honestly say that? I certainly hope not. Let's not use that logic unless you are really willing to take it all the way.


-Anxiety

[dacman]

After everything I've heard, the only person who deserves any sort of punishment out of this is Mrs. Davis. 4 of the 5 witnesses I've heard interviewed on the radio, including man in question, characterize the confrontation as being largely Mrs. Davis' doing.

[JonInMiddleGA]

If I am a basketball player trained as a paramedic, and someone in the stands collapes and clutches his chest, are you saying that if I jumped into the stands and began performing CPR on the guy, I should be expelled from the game and then suspended for a few games (Maybe one, maybe three, who knows)?

This is exactly the scenario that I thought about this morning when M&M were discussing this.

[dacman]

See, I hate this sort of logic, and its the same logic that the league is taking as well. If I am a basketball player trained as a paramedic, and someone in the stands collapes and clutches his chest, are you saying that if I jumped into the stands and began performing CPR on the guy, I should be expelled from the game and then suspended for a few games (Maybe one, maybe three, who knows)? Would you honestly say that? I certainly hope not. Let's not use that logic unless you are really willing to take it all the way.


-Anxiety
What's really hilarious is the language reads "any player, coach, trainer... enters the spectator stands..." BRILLANT!:rolleyes:

[JonInMiddleGA]

After everything I've heard, the only person who deserves any sort of punishment out of this is Mrs. Davis. 4 of the 5 witnesses I've heard interviewed on the radio, including man in question, characterize the confrontation as being largely Mrs. Davis' doing.

Just out of curiosity ... did the interviews give any indication of whether the other 3 witnesses had any connection to the man in question?

(FTR, I'm seriously asking the question. I have no idea whether they do or not, but it seems at least possible if the seats were in, as I've gathered, a season ticket section. That's what makes me wonder if they might be buddies of his / know him / whatever.)

[dacman]

Jon,

1 was a buddy of his sitting next to him, but the other 3 did not know him as I understood it.

[Solecismic]

He's been on the radio today saying all he wants is an apology to clear his name and a couple thousand for charity. The $1 million dollars supposedly came from a comment made to the press. Apparently they have to enter some dollar value in order to file a suit and they commented that dollar amount had to be 10,000 I think (to file), but it COULD be 50,000 100,000 or 1,000,000 and the AP ran with it as demanding $1mil.

He's been exonerated from any wrongdoing by the security staff, and the police. The videos seem to back up his case that he has done no wrongdoing and that Davis' wife was the one getting in his face. Davis' wife has (apparently) some history of getting a bit riled up at games.

He's been accused of being drunk and putting his hands on a woman (neither of which is apparently true, or at least there's no evidence). I think I'd want to at least clear my name and without the treat of a lawsuit how are you going to get an NBA player to do that.

Seems like someone's jumping a little quickly to conclusions here.

Yep, silly me, believing the AP. I really should have known better.

The guy does seem like he's very anxious to get his 15 minutes. Only a true asshat would have filed that suit in the first place.

Again, he wasn't injured. If he wasn't at fault in the confrontation, it would have come out sooner or later.

Think about it. If this happened to you, wouldn't you be so embarrassed that you would never agree to go on camera, let alone lawyer up and file a lawsuit (for any amount)? But this guy saw the dollar signs and the camera lights and made a decision.

I rather suspect Hillary made a call to his dad and told him if this doesn't stop right now, dad's next job is going to be helping a drain commissioner in Peoria.

[Jesse_Ewiak]

At the rate the NBA is going, they will be folded by 2020 if not sooner. Nobody even knows they exist unless something off the court happens until football season is over.

You are aware that according to Forbes, every teams value has gone up in the last five-six years, and most by more than 20% or more.

Yes, in comparison to the Jordan years, NBA ratings are down, but the addition of more international exposure means that in worldwide terms, basketball is probably the #2 sport in the world behind soccer.

The NBA ain't folding anytime soon.

[ISiddiqui]

I rather suspect Hillary made a call to his dad and told him if this doesn't stop right now, dad's next job is going to be helping a drain commissioner in Peoria.Isn't a bit early to start drinking, Jim?

[Logan]

Isn't a bit early to start drinking, Jim?

Seriously. For anyone who saw the Comcast Sports video of the incident, while of course it doesn't look like we are seeing the beginning of the "confrontation," you can see that the only pointing that the guy is doing on the video is when he is looking for security to get this wacko out of his face.

I actually think Bill Simmons had the best rationalization about this incident:

Very fair point on confrontations in the stands. One problem: The facts point to Davis' wife escalating the incident and having a history of acting, um, erratically at her husband's games. That's why I don't think Davis should have been suspended for what happened, just in case he's The Dude Who Married A Slightly Crazy Chick. We all have one friend who married someone who's a little crazy, and occasionally she gets into random fights at bars or tries to run him over in her car, and then things settle down and they're OK ... but you never judge, and you never stop cutting the guy slack because it's not his fault that he married a crazy person, and besides, crazy girls are always the ones who are phenomenal in bed. Why do you think the plot of every Cinemax movie revolves around some smoking-hot chick who kills a bunch of people, seduces a detective and has over-the-top sex with him before being revealed to be crazy?

The only reason I mention this is because Davis' body language as he entered the stands wasn't, "Oh my God, somebody is threatening my wife, I'm gonna kill the guy, I have to protect her!" but rather, "Oh, no, she's doing it again, this just happened two weeks ago at Target, I hope she doesn't stab the guy with her sunglasses or something." And he went up there, made sure everything was cool, then meekly returned to the court after realizing that everything was under control. So commissioner David Stern should have found out whether Davis' wife was nuts or not, then doled out the punishment accordingly. You should always have compassion for any male who was sucked in by crazy sex and couldn't get out in time. You know, if that was the case here. I'm not saying it was. Just a theory.

[Deattribution]

See, I hate this sort of logic, and its the same logic that the league is taking as well. If I am a basketball player trained as a paramedic, and someone in the stands collapes and clutches his chest, are you saying that if I jumped into the stands and began performing CPR on the guy, I should be expelled from the game and then suspended for a few games (Maybe one, maybe three, who knows)? Would you honestly say that? I certainly hope not. Let's not use that logic unless you are really willing to take it all the way.


-Anxiety

and I hate these sort of examples, there is a huge difference in going into the crowd to confront a fan and going into the crowd to try to save someones life.

No comparison because then conflict is the last thing on anyones mind.

[duckman]

Looks like she needs anger management classes.

hxxp://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2316754

Davis' wife faces battery charge for traffic incident

<HR width="100%" noShade SIZE=1>Associated Press

NAPERVILLE, Ill. -- The wife of New York Knicks (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=nyk) forward Antonio Davis (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=2143) has been charged with misdemeanor battery for a traffic incident that occurred in October.

Last month, Kendra Davis had a verbal altercation with a fan at a Knicks-Bulls game at the United Center that prompted her husband to run into the stands to check on the situation. He received a five-game suspension.

A Minooka, Ill., woman claims that Davis ran a stop sign in October and tossed coffee at her through the driver's side window when confronted, police said.

Davis, who lives in Naperville, told officers she threw the coffee because the woman used a racial slur, police said. The other woman has denied that to police.

[JeffNights]

Haha, see? what a dumb bitch.

[jbmagic]

she should divorce Davis and married Milton Bradley

[sterlingice]

she should divorce Davis and married Milton BradleyI think Mike Tyson is still unattached.

SI

[stevew]

definately a crazy bitch.

[sovereignstar]

hxxp://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2316754

Davis' wife faces battery charge for traffic incident

<HR width="100%" noShade SIZE=1>Associated Press

NAPERVILLE, Ill. -- The wife of New York Knicks (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=nyk) forward Antonio Davis (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=2143) has been charged with misdemeanor battery for a traffic incident that occurred in October.

Last month, Kendra Davis had a verbal altercation with a fan at a Knicks-Bulls game at the United Center that prompted her husband to run into the stands to check on the situation. He received a five-game suspension.

A Minooka, Ill., woman claims that Davis ran a stop sign in October and tossed coffee at her through the driver's side window when confronted, police said.

Davis, who lives in Naperville, told officers she threw the coffee because the woman used a racial slur, police said. The other woman has denied that to police.

JER-RY! JER-RY! JER-RY! JER-RY!

[M GO BLUE!!!]

What's the betting line on her being arrested for brandishing a firearm in a taco bell parking lot or robbing someone that knows her outside a bar?

[sterlingice]

Still has nothing on Dion Rayford. This was the only thing our football team got on ESPN for in about a 4 year stretch:

http://www2.ljworld.com/news/1999/nov/18/ku_player_suspended_after/
KU PLAYER SUSPENDED AFTER TACO BELL INCIDENT

Donna Bergmann, Special to the Journal-World

Thursday, November 18, 1999

An 11-game starter on this year's KU football team faces charges related to an early-morning incident at a Lawrence fast-food restaurant.

Drop the chalupa?

An angry Kansas University football player got stuck Wednesday in the drive-through window at Taco Bell after he tried to crawl through it to get to food servers who forgot the chalupa, a taco-like product, in his take-out order.

Senior defensive end Dion Rayford, who is 6-foot-3 and weighs 260 pounds, was stuck in the 14-by-46-inch opening when police arrived, Lawrence Police Sgt. George Wheeler said.

Taco Bell employees gave Rayford, 24, the wrong order about 2 a.m. He left his car and tried to crawl through the window at the restaurant, 1408 W. 23rd.

Tiffany Holly-Campbell, Taco Bell night manager, and three employees retreated and "locked themselves in the office," said Taco Bell manager Tito Lopez.

Police arrested Rayford, and he was booked into the Douglas County Jail at 3:35 a.m. Formal charges of disorderly conduct, open container of alcohol and misdemeanor damage to property (less than $500) were read by Douglas County District Judge Paula Martin at Rayford's first appearance at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Martin entered a "not guilty" plea on behalf of Rayford because he was not represented by counsel. Rayford said he would hire his own attorney, but he wasn't sure who would represent him.

Martin released Rayford on his own recognizance after the court appearance, adding conditions suggested by Douglas County Assistant Dist. Atty. Mark Knight. Those conditions were that he not return to Taco Bell or contact any witnesses to the incident.

Martin cited Rayford's "lack of priors" and his "ties to the community," in releasing Rayford.

Rayford's next court appearance, at which Martin will set a trial date, is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Dec. 2.

Tuesday night, KU football coach Terry Allen announced that Rayford, a starter in all 11 Jayhawk football games this year, was suspended from Saturday's season finale against Iowa State.

"I'm disappointed for the young man, and frustrated as a coach to be put in the position to suspend someone from the final game of their career," Allen said. "But we can't tolerate that type of behavior in our program."

[Neuqua]

Wait, I think I live in Naperville too...

I'll never feel safe on the roads again

[Karlifornia]

That Kendra Davis!!!

I smellllll REALITY SHOW!