http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/basketball/kings/story/11917425p-12804307c.html
Joe D's Countdown
By Joe Davidson -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Sunday, January 2, 2005
Just when you think the new year might bring some sanity to the NBA, these items come your way on the drink tray, adorned with party poppers and confetti:
1. Ron Artest. The Guardian newspaper in England tabbed the Indiana Pacers' Artest as the newspaper's "overseas sports personality of the year." The paper said Artest "instigated the best player-supporter brawl scenario" since Eric Cantona of Manchester United unleashed a karate kick into the body of a heckling soccer fan in 1995. The Pacers-Pistons brawl, the Guardian reported, "represented the most viscerally thrilling 60 seconds in NBA history. OK, the only viscerally thrilling 60 seconds in NBA history."
2. Jermaine O'Neal. One of the "boys-will-be-boys" culprits from that NBA mess was the Pacers' O'Neal, whose suspension was lightened by 10 games, to which he told reporters with a straight face, "The only thing I can do now is help repair the image of the NBA. Anything they need me to do - whatever they need - I'll do it." Does Arco Arena need a Skyline Lounge bouncer?
3. Allan Houston and Penny Hardaway. The two Knicks, once promising players in this league, make a combined $32.1 million this season. In other words, they receive nearly $10 million more than the Charlotte Bobcats' roster. The Knicks' $101 million payroll is more than four times that of the Bobcats, humming along on the expansion cheap at $22.2 million. Oh, the teams have split this season.
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In the words of Frank Barone, "Holy crap!!!"
Joe D's Countdown
By Joe Davidson -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Sunday, January 2, 2005
Just when you think the new year might bring some sanity to the NBA, these items come your way on the drink tray, adorned with party poppers and confetti:
1. Ron Artest. The Guardian newspaper in England tabbed the Indiana Pacers' Artest as the newspaper's "overseas sports personality of the year." The paper said Artest "instigated the best player-supporter brawl scenario" since Eric Cantona of Manchester United unleashed a karate kick into the body of a heckling soccer fan in 1995. The Pacers-Pistons brawl, the Guardian reported, "represented the most viscerally thrilling 60 seconds in NBA history. OK, the only viscerally thrilling 60 seconds in NBA history."
2. Jermaine O'Neal. One of the "boys-will-be-boys" culprits from that NBA mess was the Pacers' O'Neal, whose suspension was lightened by 10 games, to which he told reporters with a straight face, "The only thing I can do now is help repair the image of the NBA. Anything they need me to do - whatever they need - I'll do it." Does Arco Arena need a Skyline Lounge bouncer?
3. Allan Houston and Penny Hardaway. The two Knicks, once promising players in this league, make a combined $32.1 million this season. In other words, they receive nearly $10 million more than the Charlotte Bobcats' roster. The Knicks' $101 million payroll is more than four times that of the Bobcats, humming along on the expansion cheap at $22.2 million. Oh, the teams have split this season.
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In the words of Frank Barone, "Holy crap!!!"
