NBA players union files appeal for Artest, others

Commissioner David Stern will hear the appeal.
NEW YORK (AP) -- The NBA players' union filed an appeal Tuesday on behalf of Ron Artest and two teammates on the Indiana Pacers who were suspended for their roles in a brawl with Detroit Pistons fans last week.
The appeal asks for reductions in the suspensions of Artest, Stephen Jackson and Jermaine O'Neal. Artest was banned for the season, or 72 games, Jackson for 30 games and O'Neal for 25.
Artest said Tuesday he wished he had not gotten into the fight but felt the punishment was too harsh. The suspension means he will lose about $5 million in pay.
"I don't think it was fair -- that many games," Artest said in an interview with NBC's "Today" show.
Union's position
Union director Billy Hunter said a suspension of about 35 games would have been more appropriate for Artest. Two other players -- Detroit's Ben Wallace and Indiana's Anthony Johnson -- were banned for six and five games, respectively.
NBA Commissioner David Stern, who issued the suspensions, has sole discretion over penalties for on-court behavior, and under collective-bargaining rules all appeals go through him, too.
The union, however, asked that the case go to an arbitrator.
"We're are arguing that the discipline imposed is inconsistent with the collective-bargaining agreement, and without just cause," union spokesman Dan Wasserman said.
No charges had been filed in the brawl, but if any are they most likely would be misdemeanor assault and battery, Oakland County, Mich., prosecutor David Gorcyca said.
Fan identified
Gorcyca identified John Green as the fan who threw a cup that hit Artest, setting him off before he stormed into the stands. Once Artest was in the seats, Green grabbed him from behind and sucker-punched him, Gorcyca said.
Green, 39, told reporters that he did not throw the cup. His attorney said Green became involved only when he saw Artest hitting a smaller man.
"Ron Artest went through the stadium punching people the whole night," Green told ABC's "Good Morning America." "He was being a thug."
Green was on probation for his third offense of driving under the influence, Gorcyca said.
He has also been convicted of assault, carrying a concealed weapon and check fraud, as well as attempting to escape from custody, according to the Michigan Department of Corrections.
Auburn Hills police Lt. James Manning said the investigation into the brawl could take two to three weeks. Gorcyca said the only possible felony charge would be against an unidentified person who hurled a chair into the crowd.
But two fans who claimed they were injured during the brawl -- including one man who said he was knocked unconscious by the thrown chair -- filed lawsuits Tuesday against the Pacers and the three players.
During the "Today" interview, Artest plugged his new CD and wore a T-shirt and hat emblazoned with the logo of his record label -- TruWarier Records.