The NBA will set new security guidelines for its arenas, exerting more authority over a matter previously left to individual teams, commissioner David Stern said on Tuesday.
Stern said the Nov. 19 Pacers-Pistons brawl that spilled into the stands and led to three Indiana players being suspended for 25 or more games -- including the season-long penalty for Ron Artest -- exposed current policies as inadequate.
PHOTO: AFP
"I would say that's a whole subject that we have historically left to teams, and it's clear that's not going to be good enough anymore, so we're going to take another look at it," Stern said in his first public comments on the brawl since announcing the suspensions.
Stern said the new guidelines will be issued in early January.
The players union has filed an appeal on behalf of suspended players Stephen Jackson, Artest and Jermaine O'Neal, calling the penalties excessive. Jackson was suspended for 30 games and O'Neal for 25.
Stern, who issued the suspensions two days after the brawl, said he had ample time to consider the lengths of the penalties.
"Since the union has alleged that some of my public comments reflect a bias, I want to be careful, but I think it's fair to say I always think about what I've done," he said.
Meanwhile, a day after a county prosecutor was said to have told the Detroit News that players from the Pacers would be criminally charged for their involvement in a brawl with fans, the prosecutor said Tuesday that no charges were imminent.
The Oakland County prosecutor, David Gorcyca, said that while both Pacers players and Pistons fans had apparently engaged in criminal acts during the game on Nov. 19 in Auburn Hills, Michigan, it was too early to make any final decisions about charges.
"It is obvious from the multitude of video tapes that numerous Pacer players are implicated in criminal wrongdoing," the statement said. "To issue charges in haste and before a thorough investigation is completed would be irresponsible and a dereliction of our duties."
In a telephone interview on Tuesday afternoon, Gorcyca, asked whether any Pacers played would be charged in the brawl, said, "it's very likely."
"It's obvious that Pacers and fans violated the law," he said. "It doesn't take a genius," he said, to see "that would translate into criminal charges once the case is presented."
But Gorcyca said he was not prepared to identify anyone who might be charged
Brian Cook came off the bench to score a career-high 25 points, including five 3-pointers Tuesday, and Kobe Bryant added 20 points despite being held without a field goal for three quarters to lead the Los Angeles Lakers past the Milwaukee Bucks 95-90.
Cook also had a career-high 11 rebounds and Lamar Odom added 16 points and 11 rebounds as the Lakers beat the Bucks for the second time in seven days and the eighth straight time overall.
"That's a sign of a good team," Lakers coach Rudy Tomjanovich said. "It doesn't always have to be the same guy who is stepping up."
Desmond Mason had 32 points, Maurice Williams added 21 points, 11 assists and seven rebounds, and Keith Van Horn had 11 points and 10 rebounds for the Bucks, who were looking for their first victory over the Lakers since March 21, 2001.
"A few turnovers, some missed rotations for some guys, Cook knocking down 3s down the stretch -- those are the things in the last few minutes of the game that cost us," Mason said.
Kings 98, Grizzlies 93
In Memphis, Tennessee, Peja Stojakovic had 29 points, and Chris Webber added 22 points and 11 rebounds to help Sacramento down Memphis.
The loss was the Grizzlies' second straight at home and fourth straight overall, three of them coming since former coach Hubie Brown resigned unexpectedly.
Memphis pulled to 94-93 after an 8-0 run, but jumpers by Mike Bibby and Webber in the closing seconds assured the victory.
Miller led Memphis with 25 points and Pau Gasol had 22 points and 13 rebounds. Earl Watson added 19 points.
Knicks 110, Hawks 109, OT
In Atlanta, Jamal Crawford's 3-pointer with 3.4 seconds left in overtime won it for New York.
The Hawks, leading by one point, had a foul to waste and coach Mike Woodson was yelling that message from the sideline. But Crawford launched the game-winner from the top of the circle before Atlanta's defenders could respond.
Nazr Mohammed fouled Antoine Walker with 2 seconds left, but Walker -- who scored a season-high 36 points -- missed the first free throw. Following a timeout, Walker made the second free throw despite trying to intentionally miss the shot. The Knicks then inbounded and ran out the clock.
Raptors 94, Heat 92
In Miami, Jalen Rose scored 24 points, including the decisive free throws with 15.6 seconds left, to help Toronto beat Miami to snap a six-game road losing streak.
Shaquille O'Neal led Miami with a season-high 34 points, shooting 12-for-15 from the field and 10-of-13 from the foul line. He entered the game a 43-percent foul shooter.
Miami tied the score 92-92 on Dwyane Wade's jumper with 38 seconds to go. Donyell Marshall then missed a 3-pointer, but Eddie Jones fouled Rose as both players went for the long rebound. Rose hit both free throws with 15.6 left to give Toronto a 94-92 lead.
Nets 99, Bobcats 86
In East Rutherford, New Jersey, Richard Jefferson scored 23 points and Eric Williams had a season-high 22 to help New Jersey end a nine-game losing streak with a win over Charlotte.
The Nets, playing their first home game following an 0-4 trip out west, had four players in double figures. Alonzo Mourning scored 18 points with 11 rebounds, and Jason Collins scored 10.
Emeka Okafor led Charlotte with 26 points and 12 rebounds, the rookie's fifth consecutive double-double.
Spurs 107, Mavericks 89
In Dallas, Devin Brown sparked a fourth-quarter spurt with two three-point plays and two dunks, helping San Antonio spoil the pseudo-coaching debut of Avery Johnson. The hand-picked successor of Dallas coach Don Nelson, ran the game as if the job was already his.
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