Detroit Lions fan Dave Brenner and his children Kendra (left) and Kyle hold up a sign concerning the Pacers' Ron Artest. -- Matt Kryger / The Star
Points of view
The incident in Detroit points to a growing lack of self-control among both athletes and spectators not only in professional sports but in school and amateur team play as well. The Star asked a coach, an athletic director, a sports psychologist and a university professor to examine the causes and solutions.
When civility breaks down like that -- with punches being traded and chairs flying and one player, Jamaal Tinsley, protecting himself by brandishing a long-handled dustpan -- the blame belongs everywhere. Everywhere.
When the television cameras panned beyond the melee between the Pacers and Piston fans, they captured younger fans shrinking behind their parents' hands, which shielded them from the violence.
The incident in Detroit points to a growing lack of self-control among both athletes and spectators not only in professional sports but in school and amateur team play as well. The Star asked a coach, an athletic director, a sports psychologist and a university professor to examine the causes and solutions.
We asked for your thoughts on how the NBA should handle the incident and the suspensions. Hundreds of responses were submitted and are shared below: