I don't understand what qualifies for a fight in the present day N.B.A. .
I think we all would agree that the malice at the palace with Ron Artest
fits the bill. But when is a fight in the N.B.A. really a fight ?

When I think Fight , I think Foreman, Ali , and Frazier, not the recent
slapfest with Kevin Garnett vs the Pistons . Garnett threw a punch
and he should have been suspended. But I know defensive backs who
can't back pedal as fast as K.G. did making tracks running away .

He showed off so many moves while running backwards I thought he
was auditioning for "Dancing with the Stars". I don't think there is ever
a reason to throw down during a sporting event unless its a boxing
match.
Trust me if these guys really wanted to fight , they wouldn't be
breaking the land speed records running the other way.
Garnett was suspended for 1 game ,but I'm not sure what
was more embrassing , his punch or how fast he got outta Dodge.

Meanwhile , Carmelo Anthony had to sit 15 games for his
part in that wild brawl vs the Knicks on December 16th.
Melo did throw the haymaker that really got the whole mess rolling ,
but then his reteat looked a lot like Garnett's.

It's like he lost it for just a second and then reality hit home and
self preservation took over. Hey , it's not the punching that's a problem,
its the getting punched part. That's why they are basketball players
instead of football players .

If a guy squares off on you on the football field, you can bet the farm
he's not going to hit and run . I know football players have all that equipment
on but they will still go Mike Tyson on you.

In baseball, some pitchers go high and tight on a batter and then run
like their house is on fire when the player charges the mound .

But that's not always the norm. Remember Robin Ventura making
the mistake of a lifetime charging Nolan?
Even today when you see that video of Nolan pounding the daylights out
of Ventura, you have to think that maybe discretion really is the better part of valor ,
it certainly doesn't hurt as much.