It all starts with Artest

One drunken idiot throws a beer at Ron Artest, and the fan experience changes forever. You thought players were out of reach before? Don’t be surprised if they put up 40-foot-high netting around the court after this debacle.

Players should not be going into the stands; it’s that simple. Suspend Ron Artest for 35 games and see if that sends a message. Artest had every reason to become enraged, but he’s the one making millions. On this night, he’s the employee, the one people are paying to see. Somehow, some way, he needs to stop himself from going after the guy. If he pulls it together, none of this happens.

Lastly…as part of espn’s wrap-up, they showed a dad sitting with his concerned young daughter in the stands while the riot was taking place. And then another young boy was seen crying after watching everything. Hello? Did we miss a day in Responsible Parenting 101? Shouldn’t these parents have started for the exits as soon as all hell broke loose? When the Detroit police start issuing warrants for this mess, they might want to ask those parents a few questions, as well.