[PAmedic]

what the freak is wrong w/ these guys?

yet ANOTHER idiot "superstar" leaving the court and jumping into the stands to get into an altercation w/ a fan.

No matter WHAT the circumstances, it is inexusable. There has to be a severe penalty, 1 yr suspension 1st offense, lifetime ban after the next for ANY athlete leaving the court/field of play.

Davis suspended five games for entering stands

NEW YORK -- New York Knicks forward Antonio Davis was suspended five games by the NBA on Thursday for entering the stands during a game at Chicago to confront a fan he thought was harassing his wife.

While the penalty showed the NBA accepted Davis' argument that he believed his wife was in trouble during Wednesday night's game, it also made clear that entering the stands would not be tolerated, no matter the circumstance -- especially not after last season's ugly brawl between fans and players at an Indiana-Detroit game.

"At the end of the day, what we had to decide on was the issue of Antonio breaking the barrier from the court into the stands," Jackson said during a conference call. "At the end of the day, that was the most important aspect of making that decision."

Jackson added that a player entering the stands normally results in a suspension of "double-digit games."


Davis' suspension began with Thursday night's home game against Detroit, and the players' union plans to file a grievance to commissioner David Stern. Ironically, the Pistons were the home team the last time players went into the stands -- when Ron Artest and Stephen Jackson started an ugly brawl with fans in November 2004.

An embarrassment for the NBA, the brawl led to criminal charges and lengthy suspensions for Artest, Jackson and Jermaine O'Neal.

The league was not nearly as harsh in this instance.

"Certainly the message was very clear after the Nov. 19 incident in that it was clear to our players that they were not to enter the stands under any circumstances," Jackson said. "Certainly this suspension is evident to the fact that we're very serious about that declaration. We realize there were some mitigating circumstances and we did in fact take that into account."

Still, Knicks coach Larry Brown and players' association director Billy Hunter were among those that thought the penalty was too severe.

"I could understand the league's point of view, but I'd like to put Stu Jackson or David Stern or one of those guys in that situation and see how they would have reacted," Brown said. "I'm amazed at the restraint he had.''

Hunter said he thought a fine would have been enough, or at most a two-game ban. Hunter said the five-game penalty would cost Davis "close to $700,000."

Davis, president of the NBA players' association, jumped over the scorer's table to get in the stands at the United Center.

"I witnessed my wife being threatened by a man that I learned later to be intoxicated," he said in a statement after the game. "I saw him touch her, and I know I should not have acted the way I did, but I would have felt terrible if I didn't react. There was no time to call security. It happened too quickly."

But 22-year-old Michael Axelrod said Kendra Davis tried to scratch him after he protested a call. Axelrod said he never laid a hand on Davis' wife and said he was not drunk.

"It's a lie. When I go to games, I cheer as hard as I can for the Bulls, and I boo as hard as I can for whoever they're playing," Axelrod said. "I don't feel comfortable if players are allowed to easily jump into the crowd whenever they feel like it's necessary."

Axelrod's father, David, is a prominent Democratic political consultant in Chicago who has worked with Senators Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton and Chicago mayor Richard M. Daley.

Axelrod's attorney, Jay Paul Deratany, said he planned to sue Davis and his wife for more than $1 million. Deratany said he was writing the papers Thursday for a battery suit against Kendra Davis and a slander case against Antonio Davis, and planned to file them Friday.

Deratany also said, "A public apology from the Davises would go a long way toward resolving this."

According to Axelrod, he was sitting in the seventh row and booed an official's call. Kendra Davis "came out of her seat. I didn't even pay attention to her. I thought she was just going to the bathroom or something," he said.

Axelrod, who was sitting a couple of rows behind her, said she yelled at him to be quiet. Axelrod said he did not know she was Davis' wife until the player ran into the stands.

Axelrod said Kendra Davis put both hands on his face, and that he motioned for security. He said she later went after another fan.

"I was glad she was done hitting me, but I didn't want her to hit anyone else," Axelrod said.

Antonio Davis appeared calm throughout and walked away willingly when security arrived. He returned to the bench and took his seat before being ejected. The game resumed after about a five-minute delay.

Axelrod was escorted to the concourse by security, but said he was allowed back into the arena and saw Ben Gordon's winning shot at the buzzer.

"His wife and kids were up there," Knicks guard Jamal Crawford said. "If you see your family in harm's way, you're going to go protect them. You're the man of the house, and at that point you're thinking like a regular human instead of an athlete."

United Center security remained in the stands for a few more minutes, and other fans appeared to be explaining what they had seen. Guards in suits and yellow jackets then escorted a group of people from the area.

Davis has received support from several players, including some that were at the Indiana-Detroit brawl.

"This is one of those situations where if you don't react the way you react, there's no telling what might have happened," Pistons center Ben Wallace said. "Years from now you'll still be kicking yourself in the butt because you didn't react."

Knicks coach Larry Brown said Davis went into the stands because he saw his wife "falling back."

Brown was coaching the Pistons in November 2004 when that ugly fight broke out in the stands between fans and Pacers during a Detroit home game, leading to the suspensions of Artest, Jackson and O'Neal.

But Brown was adamant that this situation should be viewed differently.

"Come on, that's his wife," Brown said. "That's entirely different. I was worried about Kendra. That's why he went in the stands, he saw her falling back.

"That thing that happened in the stands had nothing to do with the two teams. That's a man concerned about his family."

[Sly Fox]

I have to completely disagree with you on this one. If I'm at work and I see my wife & kids threatened, I'd do exactly what he did. I doubt he has any regrets. I know I wouldn't. I don't see any of the tie-ins to the Artest fiasco that some seem to be inferring.

[PAmedic]

I guess its gonna be one of those he said/she saids. The fan in question is now suing for 1M, evidently he's stating he was NOT intoxicated and that the wife struck HIM as well as another fan. Here we go. I still don't see the justification for a player going into the stands.

In all honesty though- it may depend upon one's affinity for the sport. I probably wouldn't have the same reaction to a Nascar driver doing something similar, but I am a big fan of racing and don't care for the NBA quite as much- I suppose I'd have to admit it does go to your preference.

[bigsmooth]

yes it was wrong to go into the stands, but i think anyone would defend their wife/girlfirend if they seemed to be in trouble. arena security is slow and very lax at times so i can understand it, but not condone it. davis is an upstanding player, hardly an idiot, and is president of the players association. he did not go up there swinging and looking for a fight. with all that said, he had to be suspended. im glad that david stern looked at the "body of work" of antonio daivs.

[RubberMallet]

i'm up there throwin haymakers...i dont' care what the cost...its my family...unless they started it then they are screwed

[RubberMallet]

In all honesty though- it may depend upon one's affinity for the sport. I probably wouldn't have the same reaction to a Nascar driver doing something similar, but I am a big fan of racing and don't care for the NBA quite as much- I suppose I'd have to admit it does go to your preference.

i would...it takes a heck of alot longer to actually reach the stands in nascar...you should have plenty of time to think about waht you are about to do

[WinthropEagleFan]

Can't blame the NBA for suspending the guy (even if nothing 'happened', having a player in the stands has the potential for big problems), but I also can't condemn Davis for his actions, especially since he seemed to be going up there to make sure nothing happened (as opposed to looking to start a fight). Regardless of who was at fault in the stands, it was an unfortunate situation, but I think Davis and the league handled it rather well considering the circumstances (as for the stadium's security..that's another matter completely).

[Hold My Own]

Yeh but Davis' wife is full of drama and it wasnt the frist time this type thing has happened with her

[Agent2Be]

What nobody seems to mention is the fact that there was an acutal game going on. There is zero frame of reference for me, but I did play in high school and couldnt tell you what was going on in the stands. Arent these guys supposed to be focused on the game instead of looking to see where their wife/girlfriend is? And come on, I have been around event security for 10 years and if there is a serious fight in the stands, security will take care of it. It is not like her life was being threatened! There are 100's of people around watching the incident. I guarantee if he threw a punch or was accosting her in any way, the people around him would have taken care of the incident - security or no security. Davis was wrong. He didnt use his head.

[Thotprovkr]

If some idiot is going after my family, you bet I'm there; Fine, suspension, doesn't matter.

[Agent2Be]

First thing first is why is he paying attention to the stands? Second, common sense tells you that there is no way a family member can succumb to serious bodily injury or death in the stands. If his wife was arguing with the peanut vendor should he intervene? Isnt his wife a big girl? Undoubtably you have attended sporting events and know that if a fight breaks out in a section it would be handled. Going into the stands is WRONG in any situation! Hiding behind "I observed my family member being attacked" is pure BS. He was wrong.

[RubberMallet]

he plays for the knicks...when you are getting the crap kicked out of you in most of your games you tend to find other things to fill your time...like lookin for hot chicks in the stands..

[bigsmooth]

i too wondered how he spotted this. maybe it was a time out who knows. yes it's wrong, but i think we would all defend our families if something was up. if mrs. davis is an instigator, maybe antonio should make her stay home.

[PAmedic]

like him or not- the dude can play. (PS: thats a Philly guy, there)

Kobe scores 81, second only to Wilt in history

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Kobe Bryant kept shooting, from all over the court and from every angle.

The Los Angeles Lakers' star scored a staggering 81 points Sunday night against the Toronto Raptors in a 122-104 win. Only Wilt Chamberlain's 100-point game stands ahead of him.

"It just happened, man" Bryant said. "It really hasn't, like, set in for me. It's about the 'W,' that's why I turned it on. It turned into something special.

"To sit here and say I grasp what happened, that would be lying. Not even in my dreams."

The NBA's leading scorer left to a standing ovation with 4.2 seconds remaining, having shot 28-of-46 from the floor, including 7-of-13 from 3-point range and 18-of-20 from the foul line.

With the fans at Staples Center chanting "MVP! MVP!" Bryant made two free throws with 43.4 seconds remaining for his final points. He scored 27 points in the third quarter, 28 in the fourth.

"It feels great to put on a great show here," he said.

Chamberlain scored 100 points for Philadelphia against the New York Knicks at Hershey, Pa., on March 2, 1962, making 36-of-63 from the field and 28-of-32 from the foul line while playing all 48 minutes.

Chamberlain had 59 points in the second half - the only player with more points in a half than Bryant's 55 after halftime in this game.

Chamberlain's second-highest total was 78 against the Lakers in three overtimes on Dec. 8, 1961.

Elgin Baylor held the previous franchise record of 71 points at New York on Nov. 15, 1960. Lakers assistant Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the NBA's all-time leading scorer, saw that game, too.

"Elgin's game was an incredible performance, also. I don't think there's any comparison. Elgin did it without 3-point lines. His game was attacking the hoop and hitting jumpers inside 20 feet. Kobe's range is unreal, and he does it his way," Abdul-Jabbar said.

"It was a real treat. His ability to shoot from long range and also attack the hoop, split the defense and get in close for opportunities near the basket is unique. He's made a niche for himself and he deserves it."

Michael Jordan's career high was 69 points, and only four players had ever scored more than 70 - Chamberlain, Baylor, David Thompson and David Robinson.

The 27-year-old Bryant made it five. His previous career high was 62 points during a 112-90 victory over Dallas last month - he sat out the fourth quarter because of the one-sided nature of the game.

"I was just determined. I was just locked in, tuned into what was going on out there," Bryant said. "These points tonight mattered. We needed them. The points I put in the basket were instrumental. It means a lot more."

Bryant raised his scoring average to an NBA-leading 35.9 points this season.

"I never imagined I would see history like that," said Devean George, a teammate of Bryant's with the Lakers for 6 1/2 seasons. "I can't tell you where that came from. He just kept attacking, attacking, attacking - every time he got the ball."

Bryant played nearly 42 minutes, going the entire second half until being lifted by coach Phil Jackson.

Jackson coached Jordan and the Chicago Bulls to six championships in the 1990s and the Lakers, with Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal, to three more titles, from 2000-02.

"That was something to behold," Jackson said. "It was another level. I've seen some remarkable games, but I've never seen one like that before."

Bryant's performance came on the same night the NBA had its highest-scoring game in 11 years when Seattle beat Phoenix 152-149 in two overtimes. The last 300-point game in the league came when Dallas beat Houston 156-147 in two overtimes on April 11, 1995, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

"You're sitting and watching, and it's like a miracle unfolding in front of your eyes and you can't accept it," Lakers owner Jerry Buss said. "Somehow, the brain won't work. The easiest way to look at it is everybody remembers every 50-point game they ever saw. He had 55 in the second half."

Lamar Odom's 3-pointer with 7:04 remaining gave the Lakers a 100-93 lead, and Bryant scored 30 seconds later to give him 61 points and his team a nine-point advantage. The Raptors didn't pose a serious threat after that.

Bryant scored all but 15 of the Lakers' 42 points in the third quarter, shooting 11-of-15 including 4-of-5 from 3-point range. Six of his points came during a 12-0 run to finish the period, giving Los Angeles a 91-85 lead.

The Lakers outscored the Raptors 38-14 to finish the third quarter to go ahead for good. They trailed by as many as 18 points early in the period, angering Bryant.

"He was ticked off," Odom said.

When asked what Bryant said at that stage, Odom replied: "Nothing. That's when it's bad."

Bryant scored 51 points after the Raptors took a 71-53 lead. It was 63-49 at halftime.

"The thing about him that is most amazing is that he is relentless," Raptors coach Sam Mitchell said. "We played man-to-man, box-in-one and zone. We tried to put smaller guys on him to deny him the ball.

"I saw that game he had against Dallas where he scored 62, what more can you say?"

Smush Parker added 13 points and Chris Mihm had 12 points and six rebounds for the Lakers.

Mike James led Toronto with 26 points and 10 assists. Chris Bosh added 18 points and eight rebounds and Jalen Rose scored 17 points for the Raptors.

Notes
Bryant scored a season-low 11 points in the Lakers' 102-91 victory over the Raptors in Toronto last month. He had 14 in the first quarter of this game. ... Bryant has led the Lakers in scoring in the last 21 games in which he's played. He entered with an NBA-leading 34.8-point average, and is averaging 45.5 points in 10 games since sitting out a two-game suspension. ... Toronto C Rafael Araujo, who has made 30 starts this season, missed his second straight game and third of the season because of a sore right shoulder. ... Bryant made his first five foul shots before missing late in the second quarter, snapping his streak of consecutive made free throws at 62. Michael Williams made an NBA-record 93 straight for Minnesota in 1993. ... Bryant received a technical foul with 10:44 left - shortly after being accidentally struck above the right eye.

[RubberMallet]

yeah its pretty impressive...the raptors suck and his team is pretty much just as terrible....i think its hilarious that this is what the guy is asked to do there...46 shots!! thats almost 1 a minute...unbelievable...he caught fire in a bottle yesterday hitting 60% as opposed to his usual .452

i think he would of hit 80 a month back when he sat the entire 4th and had 62