J.O'Neal減刑至15場
O'Neal's suspension cut by 10 games; Artest's ban staysBy CHRIS SHERIDAN, AP Basketball Writer
December 22, 2004
NEW YORK (AP) -- Jermaine O'Neal won a 10-game reduction Wednesday in his suspension for fighting with fans during the Nov. 19 Pacers-Pistons brawl, but an arbitrator also upheld NBA commissioner David Stern's bans on Ron Artest and two other Indiana players.
The league said it would go to federal court to challenge arbitrator Roger Kaplan's decision, which could make O'Neal eligible to return Saturday when the Pacers host the Detroit Pistons in the teams' first matchup since one of the most violent melees in NBA history.
``We have consistently maintained that the arbitrator has no legitimate role in this matter,'' NBA deputy commissioner Russ Granik said. ``While we obviously agree with Mr. Kaplan's decision upholding virtually all of the suspensions, we don't agree with his conclusion that the conduct did not occur on the playing court, and we have no choice other than to challenge it in federal court.''
A hearing was set for 10 a.m. Thursday in U.S. District Court.
In a 28-page decision, Kaplan upheld Artest's season-long suspension and the penalties given to Stephen Jackson (30 games) and Anthony Johnson (five games).
O'Neal's ban was reduced from 25 games to 15. Kaplan cited O'Neal's ``character, community involvement and citizenship'' in deeming Stern's suspension ``excessive.''
``This should not be viewed as condoning what O'Neal did. He did punch a fan. The 15-game suspension is a significant penalty. The NBA cannot tolerate such conduct,'' Kaplan wrote in his decision, a copy of which was obtained by The Associated Press.
The union had asked for substantial reductions in the penalties during a six-hour arbitration hearing at a Manhattan law office. The NBA declined to participate, saying Kaplan had no jurisdiction to arbitrate penalties for on-court behavior -- an area in which the league contends the commissioner has sole discretion.
``We're extremely pleased that Jermaine will have the opportunity to play, although we respectfully disagree with the decision on the other three players,'' players' union director Billy Hunter said. ``We are also pleased that the arbitrator has affirmed the right of players to appeal disciplinary measures.''
Kaplan ruled that he had jurisdiction to hear the case, and that Stern had just cause to issue the suspensions he gave to Artest, Jackson and Johnson.
``It is generally understood and indisputable that the riot that ensued was one of the worst, if not the worst, in the history of sports,'' Kaplan wrote.
The arbitrator pointed out that O'Neal did not enter the stands and was trying to protect a teammate during the fracas.
``O'Neal's previous conduct in the NBA is vastly different from Artest's,'' Kaplan wrote. ``He is the recipient of a couple of awards attesting to his character, community involvement and citizenship. His one punch of a spectator, while excessive, was clearly out of character.''
O'Neal's agent, Arn Tellem, said: ``We're gratified that the arbitrator ruled in our favor. Jermaine is anxious to put this matter behind him.''
The NBA has already filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court challenging Kaplan's authority to hear the grievance, a complaint that remains pending before U.S. District Judge George B. Daniels.
Each of the players testified before Kaplan during the hearing, and union attorneys submitted three lines of argument on the issue of jurisdiction.
The union cited a 1995 modification to the collective bargaining agreement allowing for appeals in cases where the financial penalty to the disciplined played exceeds $25,000. The union also argued the definitions of what constitutes ``reasonable'' punishment and ``on-court behavior.''
The arbitrator also reviewed videotape of the entire 12-minute brawl, in which Artest sprinted into the stands and confronted a fan he believed had thrown a drink at him. Jackson also went into the stands and exchanged punches with fans, while O'Neal and Johnson punched fans who came onto the court.
Five Pacers players and seven fans face criminal charges.
Indiana coach Rick Carlisle said he had no immediate comment on the ruling. Team spokesman David Benner said the Pacers would not comment until the league responded to the ruling.
Indiana has lost nine of 14 games since the brawl, using patchwork lineups in an effort to make up for the loss of three of the team's five leading scorers. O'Neal, a three-time All-Star and eight-year veteran, was to serve the 15th game of his suspension Wednesday night when the Pacers played Philadelphia.
``We need him. We've been going through a tough stretch here, short-handed every night, guys banged up, not knowing who is going to be in the lineup,'' Pacers guard Jamaal Tinsley said. ``We've got a couple of games coming up that we need him.'' Artest維持原判
巧合地,J.O'Neal復出一戰又係對活塞:icon101:
大家認為此判決是否合理?歡迎討論~
不過唔好好似miniforum咁,講講下變左罵戰
[ Last edited by 射手shooter on 23-12-2004 at 09:08 AM ] 射手shooter在 2004-12-23 09:06 AM 發表:
Artest維持原判
巧合地,J.O'Neal復出一戰又係對活塞:icon101:
大家認為此判決是否合理?歡迎討論~
不過唔好好似miniforum咁,講講下變左罵戰
[ Last edited by 射手shooter on 23-12- ...
佢都好死狼ga war:icon013:
如果佢有得減而artest冇得減真係有點兒:icon062: 可能Artest個底花D,之前衰過好多獲:o 咁溜馬都仲有機入playoff......:o 驚Christmas場波戲碼唔夠勁, 所以特登放番O'neal 出黎:icon101: Penny仔在 2004-12-23 11:17 AM 發表:
驚Christmas場波戲碼唔夠勁, 所以特登放番O'neal 出黎:icon101: 點會唔夠勁
不過而家又多左個talking point... 唔關佢事都走去抽水,o甘都有得減 射手shooter在 2004-12-23 09:06 AM 發表:
Artest維持原判
巧合地,J.O'Neal復出一戰又係對活塞:icon101:
大家認為此判決是否合理?歡迎討論~
不過唔好好似miniforum咁,講講下變左罵戰
[ Last edited by 射手shooter on 23-12- ...
巧合地,J.O'Neal復出一戰又係對活塞:icon009::icon019: 冇理由要減....... 因為名氣大? Artist 呀Artist，明明你應該要輕過Oneal :o 呢招得下,
D人幫阿堤斯申冤, 而家減小奧刑
一方面你可以話冇乜用
但係另一方面NBA又的確係減左刑
:o D人都唔敢出咁多聲
:o好一招隔山打牛 nba唔係會上訴咩??:o 基維蝦在 2004-12-24 01:01 PM 發表:
nba唔係會上訴咩??:o
上訴中:o 杰少仔在 2004-12-23 11:46 PM 發表:
Artist 呀Artist，明明你應該要輕過Oneal
:icon062::icon062::icon062::icon062: 搞錯:icon062::icon063:
仲好記得佢助跑去打人果幕:icon085:
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