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    by admin in Basketball Wiki | Comments Off on Top 5 Greatest Fights In NBA

    Basketball is a high intensity sport, where lots of emotions are involved and individuals can lose their temper on minor issues. Sometimes a trivial contact burst into such a high scale violent affray that no one can expects to occur. Here, we take a look at some of the greatest fights in the NBA history. The list is based upon my personal choice; anyone can certainly differ with it.

    1. Pistons vs. Pacers – November 19, 2004 (The malice at the Palace)

    It is regarded as one of the worst fights in NBA history, erupting in The Palace of Auburn Hills, near the end of the Indiana Pacers-Detroit Pistons game.

    With only few seconds were left in the game, Pistons Ben Wallace went in for a layup and was fouled hard by Pacers forward Ron Artest from behind. Wallace turned around and pushed Artest in the face, which led to a physical confrontation between several players from both teams. During the fight, Artest stretched himself out on the scorer’s table; meanwhile, he was hit by the cup of drink thrown from the stands. Out of anger, Artest charged into the stands, followed by a number of other pacers and fought with fans. Both sides exchanged punches, threw beer, ice, popcorns and tossed chairs. The clash lasted for nearly 10 minutes, leaving a number of people with minor injuries and forcing the officials to call the game.

    Nine players were suspended for a total of 146 games without any salary, 137 games for Pacers players and nine games for Pistons players. Artest received the longest suspension as he was kicked out for the remainder of the season, total 86 games including 13 playoff games. Other notable suspensions were Stephen Joseph, Jermaine O’Neal, Ben Wallace and Anthony Jackson for 30, 15, 6 and 5 games respectively. Five players were also charged with assault, and all five of them were sentenced to a year on probation and community service. Five fans also faced criminal charges and were banned from attending Pistons home games for life.

    2. Knicks vs. Nuggets – December 16, 2006                                                                           

    The brawl was the second in terms of the suspensions after the Pacers-pistons in 2004 that led to the suspension of seven players for a total of 47 games. The fight started with 75 seconds remaining in the game, when the Nuggets were leading the game119–100. The knicks’ Mardy Collins fouled Nuggets guard J.R. Smith hard by grabbing him around the neck and taking him to the floor. Upon getting up both players began arguing.  Eventually, the players were separated from each other with the interference of some individuals.

    Just as things appeared to be calming down, Nuggets Carmelo Anthony punched Collins in the face that sparked a violent brawl on the court with several other players joining in the confrontation. All ten players on the floor at the time were ejected after the dispute was finished. Seven players were suspended for a combined total of 47 games, losing in excess of $1.2 million in salary. Both teams were also fined $500,000.

    3. Lakers vs. Bulls – January 12, 2002

    The brawl broke out when less than 3 minutes were left in the fourth quarter and the Lakers holding an 87-84 lead. Lakers Shaquille O’Neal was fouled hard by both Bulls center Brad Miller and forward Charles Oakley. Annoying by the incident, O’Neal went after the Miller with a ferocious full swing of the arm while Miller had his back turned. His punch barely missed the head of the Miller, but it started a violent scuffle between the players. O’Neal, Miller and Oakley were ejected from the game. O’Neal was suspended for three games without pay and fined $15,000. Oakley was suspended for two and fined $10,000, and Miller received one game expulsion and $7,500 for committing the flagrant foul that led to the fight.

    4. Blazers vs. Warriors – December 20, 2002                           

    The fight started at the end of the Portland Trail Blazers-Golden State Warriors game after Rasheed Wallace hit a game winning shot at the final buzzer, stealing a113-111 victory over Warriors. Blazers small forward Bonzi Wells and Warriors Chris Mills both were standing under the basket after Wallace’s shot. As the two exchanged words and started pushing each other, the Warrior’s Troy Murphy, guard Jason Richardson, coach Eric Musselman and Trail Blazers forward Ruben Patterson, entered the fray. Richardson threw a punch at Wells. Then, Patterson and Murphy began fighting. A dispute burst out, both benches got into it and began to push each other around while, officials tried to break it up.

    The situation got worst when the crowd become involved, throwing beer bottles at the Blazers as they left the court. Wallace went after a fan who threw something at him. Mills reportedly tried to get into the Blazers’ locker room, and after being restrained, got a group of friends, parked his car in front of Portland’s team bus and challenged the Blazers. Later, Mills was suspended for three games and Wells was suspended for two, While Wallace was fined for his part in the outburst.

    5. Knicks vs. Spurs – January 15, 2001

    It was the end of the fourth quarter of the New York Knicks-San Antonio Spurs game, when Knicks center Marcus Camby was poked in the eye by Spurs Danny Ferry. The teammates helped the Camby to calm himself down but when he was talking to the referee, he lost his temper and threw a wild punch at Ferry. The punch missed Ferry and smacked in the face of Jeff Van Gundy, Spurs coach who tried to intervene. With blood pouring from his brow, Van Gundy was taken back to the locker room for treatment. He got 15 stitches to close up the cut. Camby was ejected for throwing a frightening  punch. Later, he was awarded a five-game suspension while Ferry was expelled for one game.




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