David West: Gangsta or Thug?

[GoMuskies]

The horror! People fighting near a crowd!


http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/8994420/golden-state-warriors-indiana-pacers-fight-spills-indianapolis-crowd

[MD Muskie]

I guy that graduated in my class was sitting court side right where that happened.

[RealDeal]

Hibbert is clearly a racist.

[tmac03]

I'm the guy who was sitting courtside. I absolutely lucked into the best seats of my life and was actually sitting next to the owner of the Warriors. He was a good guy, willing to talk basketball with the nobody sitting next to him. I figured it was the only time in my life I'd have a chance to talk with a kajillionaire so I had fun with it by asking about the Warriors curious personnel moves over the years (why they hadn't amnestied Biedrins, why they did amnesty Charlie Bell to save about 10 bucks, etc.) and he gave actual answers. It was pretty fun listening to his commentary on his team, especially his frustration with the rotations.

The fight happened so quick that I honestly didn't even know how I reacted until after watching the replay - me and the guys in my group basically just tried to protect ourselves from the players falling on us. There was never a thought by anyone to do anything else, though the Warriors' owner did say that his initial reaction was to protect Curry but he quickly realized that would have been a really, really bad idea. One of our group had his chair pushed over and his arm got a little scraped up, but no big deal. Pacers security about wet themselves over the situation, probably due to the Malice in the Palace brawl in Detroit. All in all it was the most surreal experience I've ever had at a sporting event.

I'll be surprised if West gets more than a fine but you never know, he bulled through a couple of Warriors trying to get everyone off of Hibbert (basically wrapping his hand around Biedrins' face moving him out of the way). It will be pretty frustrating if he does get suspended for trying to get into a position to restore order since the refs weren't doing their job - as soon as Hibbert and Lee started going at it the closest ref (female) immediately stepped back as if to clear a space for them to fight.

[atljar]

He zipped em up

[Dr. X]

I bet that assistant coach's life flashed before his eyes when DFW shoved him.

[XU-PA]

What DW did wrong was leave the bench, that's forbidden. But he was clearly there as a peacemaker, but a man his size does tend to leave a few brusies on the way to calming things down!

[tmac03]

He didn't leave the bench, he was on the floor when it happened, but it all worked out, no suspension for West.

[DoubleD86]

But he was clearly there as a peacemaker, but a man his size does tend to leave a few brusies on the way to calming things down!

Maybe biased but I agree. Most of his actions were trying to pull people away (and then the group fell) and then pushing people who were coming into the crowd back out.

[GoMuskies]

Ho hum night (31 points and 7 boards) against Noah and the Bulls tonight.

[Masterofreality]

Ho hum night (31 points and 7 boards) against Noah and the Bulls tonight.

I think we'll just call him "Ball-a"