Pacers and patrons don't mix. 2004's "Malice at the Palace" taught us that those parties shouldn't mix it up. A scuffle spilled into the seats in Indianapolis last night, but fortunately no fists flew from fans and no players threw punches. Shoving between Roy Hibbert and David Lee following a foul was exacerbated when the slight but scrappy Stephen Curry came to the aid of his fellow Warrior in a most literal way, charging Hibbert, which moved the minor melee into the corner onto supporters sitting near the sidelines.
Hibbert was ejected and believes he'll be suspended. He understands that the league can't have colossal creatures colliding with customers, even unintentionally. However, the NBA needs to recognize that teammates will back each other up and should back up the stands accordingly, to protect athletes and admirers alike. There is such a thing as too close for comfort. How many bystanders have to be bowled over and spectators sideswiped for David Stern to do something? Being front-row for a fight is appealing when attending a boxing match, but appalling when going to a basketball game.
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