The incident known as “The Malice at the Palace” is undoubtedly one of the darkest stains in NBA history. Not only did it engage fans in a riotous fight with the Indiana Pacers players, but it also changed the career path of the main protagonist.
Metta Sandiford-Artest revealed how a fan, identified as John Green, threw a cold beer at her for a mere $50 bet with her friend. “That was a stupid bet…John Green, the man who threw the beer at me, we’re friends. He told me the story. The guy who raised his hand bet John that he couldn’t reach me with the glass. When I saw him raise my hand, he said, ‘I owe you $50,'” Metta said on a Fox Sports radio show in 2018.
Metta Sandiford-Artest lost $5 million in wages and was even suspended for 86 games, including 13 in the postseason, still the most severe sanction imposed on a player in the NBA. In all, the NBA suspended 9 players for 146 games, and an estimated $146 million in wages were lost during that time.
Artest averaged 18.3 points and 2.1 steals per game in the 2003-04 season, earning him the Defensive Player of the Year award. Also, at the time this incident occurred, Artest was averaging 24 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.7 steals in the previous 7 games.
Adam Silver, current commissioner of the League, played an important role when he worked for Davis Stern at the time. In 2004, he served as the president of NBA Entertainment at the time of “The Malice at the Palace.” He was required to review each painting and make sure none of the culprits went unpunished. As a result of the suspensions, one of Silver’s main decisions was to reduce the sale of liquor during NBA games.
2023-07-07 16:39:14
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