[jimmytheg]

Thats bullshit. Why are professional athletes held to a higher standard? Because they make a lot of money? These players are paid to entertain people, not to make decisons or policies that affect people's lives like, say, politicians. They should be held to a higher standard....teachers should be held to higher standards......COPS should be held to a higher standard. Athletes are not role models, nor are they saints. Barkley makes a great point, your point is the one that isnt very good.

Why should athletes be immune to things being thrown at them. When a fan buys a ticket, it does not give them the right to throw anything. Heckling and taunting is fine, even when it is in bad taste. But when a fan breaks that invisible barrier and throws something on the court, they are completely out of line. That was the THIRD time Artest had been hit by something during his career. And it has happened way too many times to other players in every sport over the years. Fans from your beloved Philly have thrown fucking BATTERIES at players before.

Who holds professional athletes to a higher standard than everyday people? Not cops, not the press. Gone are the days of Mickey Mantle or Joe Dimaggio where ballplayers were American icons. Any parent who encourages their child to emulate or look up to a pro athlete, with rare exceptions, should be shot.

Your argument that players should be immune to people throwing things at them is absolute garbage. It is completely unacceptable for fans to throw anything, or to step foot onto the court or field, period. I wish Artest saw John Green throw the cup, and I wish Artest knocked him the fuck out. Maybe that would teach a lesson to self-rightous fans who think that because they bought a ticket they can do whatever they want with no consequences