The student-athletes in Brandon and Goodrich are conducting themselves more like adults these days than their professional counterparts.
While our local high school teams are distinguishing themselves on and off the playing field, an ugly brawl took place at the Nov. 19 National Basketball Association game between the Indiana Pacers and the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills.
The Pacers, one of the top contenders for the NBA’s Eastern Conference title, were dealt a severe blow when Commissioner David Stern announced the Pacers? Ron Artest was suspended for the entire 2004-05 season, while Stephen Jackson was suspended for 30 games and Jermaine O’Neal for 25 games.
In addition, the Pistons? Ben Wallace was suspended for six games, while the Pacers? Anthony Johnson was suspended for five games and several other players were suspended a game each for leaving the bench during the fight.
It’s an unprecedented move, but Stern had to take a strong stand. The NBA is an extremely popular league, and fans of all ages look up to these players. Many families can be found at Pistons games having a good time. It’s not too much to ask these players to at least conduct themselves like adults.
While Wallace is a much-admired athlete in this area ‘and rightfully so ? he showed a lapse of judgement in shoving Artest after the initial foul, and deserved to be suspended.
Having said that, Artest is a punk and deserved to get hit the hardest in terms of suspensions. He has become the Dennis Rodman of the 21st century, a loose cannon, and his claiming the penalty is unfair is a bunch of garbage. He needs to take time to cool off before he self-destructs.
Hopefully, any fans that were involved in the melee ? including those who threw beer at Artest or got involved with the Pacers players on the floor ? will be banned from The Palace for good. If they’re season ticket holders, then they forfeited their right to hold season tickets by their conduct. Playing in the NBA, or going to watch a game in person, is a privilege, not a God-given right.
‘Our local athletes and coaches could perhaps teach these NBA players a thing or two about handling themselves with class while achieving excellence on the playing field.
The Brandon girls cross country team won the Flint Metro League championship for the first time in school history and competed in the state finals.
Meanwhile, the Goodrich girls cross country team won the Division 3 championship, while the football team won the league championship and advanced to the regional finals, the boys golf team won the league championship and advanced to the state meet, and the Goodrich girls basketball team won a district championship.
Along the way, all these teams have competed hard, yet showed respect for themselves, their opponents, and their community. They should be applauded for their efforts.
In particular, the Goodrich football program should be commended for voluntarily forfeiting their opening game win in August against Richmond, due to the use of an ineligible player in the latter stages of the game. It did nothing to deter the Martians from having an outstanding season, and it set a good example of integrity for others to follow.