10 Players Ejected In Ugly NBA Brawl

Players Tumble Into Crowd As Nuggets, Knicks Fight In New York

(AP)  Ten players, including NBA scoring leader Carmelo Anthony, were ejected for fighting during a wild brawl near the end of Saturday night's game between the Denver Nuggets and New York Knicks.

Punches were thrown and players flew into the crowd in the NBA's ugliest scene since Indiana Pacers players fought with Detroit Pistons' fans on the court and in the stands in 2004.

This time, it happened at Madison Square Garden, right in the hometown of NBA headquarters.

"I feel bad for the league, I feel bad for the Denver Nuggets and the New York Knicks," Nuggets coach George Karl said. "Very poor display of respecting basketball and respecting the game in the best place in the world to play basketball."

Anthony appeared to throw one of the punches, and now awaits what will surely be strong punishment from a league still trying to repair its image after the melee in Auburn Hills, Mich.

"Something's going to happen, but we shall see and wait," Anthony said. "I don't really want to comment on that right now."

Anthony scored 34 points before the melee took place with 1:15 left in the Nuggets' 123-100 victory over the Knicks.

Denver led 119-100 when Knicks guard Mardy Collins grabbed Denver's J.R. Smith around the neck as Smith was going in for a breakaway layup. Smith got up and jawed with Collins, and New York's Nate Robinson jumped in to yell at Smith.

"They were having their way with us," Knicks coach Isiah Thomas said. "I think J.R. Smith had just made one dunk when he reversed and spun in the air. And I think Mardy didn't want our home crowd to see that again. So he fouled him."

Anthony rushed in and pushed Robinson in the neck, triggering the roughest moment, when Robinson and Smith went flying into the stands while fighting with each other. Anthony appeared to throw a punch at Collins, and then backed away toward the center of the court.

New York's Jared Jeffries ran from the baseline toward Anthony, but was tackled by a Denver player. The brawl stretched to the other end of the court toward the Nuggets' bench before coaches and security finally pulled Smith away and restored order.

Smith appeared to have a red mark along the left side of his cheek and was yelling as he was escorted back to the locker room.

Marcus Camby, Andre Miller, Eduardo Najera, Smith and Anthony were the Nuggets who were ejected; Channing Frye, David Lee, Collins, Robinson and Jeffries were the Knicks who were kicked out.

"Clearly this isn't how we or the NBA wants to be perceived," Thomas said. "It should have been a foul and the guy takes two free throws and maybe some words, but it shouldn't have escalated. This isn't even a rivalry."

NBA spokesman Tim Frank said the league would "review the incident in its entirety. Until then, it would not be appropriate to comment."

With each team forced to put five new players on the floor, Denver finished up the win and ended a two-game losing streak. Camby had 24 points and nine rebounds, and Miller added 12 points and 10 assists.

Anthony was in the midst of a superb second half, having scored 23 points in 23 minutes after halftime. Camby, a former Knicks center, added seven blocked shots, and the Nuggets shot a season-best 57 percent from the field.

Stephon Marbury had his best game of the season for the Knicks, scoring a season-high 31 points and adding eight assists. Eddy Curry had 19 points, Robinson scored 17, and Lee finished with 12 points and 15 rebounds.

Robinson said the Nuggets were trying to run up the score in the final minutes.

"If we're up 20 points, we're not going to play Stephon and Eddy," Robinson said. "It's like a slap in the face, saying we're going to embarrass you like that."

[osiris031]

NBA BRAWL:

Was this quote unquote fight as serious as the media has made.

This so called brawl was on FOX world news, I've heard the media refer to these guy involved as "animals", "idiots", "how stupid can you be".

The league has handed down multiple game suspension and thousands in fines.

Could anybody let me know WHY in the NHL, where fights are far more brutal AND far more freuquent? Nothing is said about the character, personality, or the moral fiber of these players. Not only is nothing about their character said, the media shows highlights and comments on who got the worst end of the fight. Not to mention their not ejected or suspended%u2026 They are put in timeout. And we%u2019re talking about real fight busted noses, knocked out teeth, broken noses and even a broken neck incident. What give, is this underlying racism.

[hermit22]

Make all these over paid lumbering scaffoldings wear pink too-toos.

[rafterman1]

"is it NBA?? or just playing a street basketball!!"

Naw. Street ball is more civil

[sanfelz]

Those who I know who were at the game say the fight started because the Knicks felt slighted that the Pistons were keeping their starter in the game though it was a blowout. Violation of an unwritten code. Evidently no unwritten code that prohibits thuggery.

[hlt069]

It seems like the NBA has just a bunch of thugs playing in it. That is why I rarely watch it any more.

[castanea-2009]

These guys make millions of dollars and are idolized by millions of fans. What a shame. What a waste.

[lonnie461]

George Foreman said it many years about a heavyweight boxer. You can be professional or "soup line boxer." If NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL, Big 12, Far East(wrong conference), ACC etc.,etc. (you know all the alphabet soup organizations) had even minimum standards this would stop immediately. NOT a race issue. What about coaches??? Leadership??? Players will NOT do what makes coaches unhappy and get benched. The coaches make excuses. Owners and coaches determine behavior. When the LARGE GAMES FORFEITED(that is right forfeited) get their attention things will change.

[lonnie461]

Many years guys like this were court ordered to "enlist" in military. Of course, my guess the honorable military wouldn't even want these cowards. Perhaps a year in Afghanistan or Iraq might do them some good. The excuse that they are young has worked way too long!!!! Younger than they are being courtmartialed and bad mouthed in congress for actions under REAL stress. Why can't congress pass some LAWS and force NBA to be accountable. They could but are star struck. Both parties are afraid of professional sports.

[teltvsrv]

My comment. This act of violence is allowed in several sports (Baseball, Basketball, Hockey) with no acountability for the players action.
The kids see these actions (violence in sports) and feel that is acceptable because the professional players can do the same activity and only pay a same fine (fee percent of there salary).
The NBA should allow for these players to be arrested right on the spot and this would soon have a negative affect on any violence in the sports area.
I hope the NBA comes down very hard on these players with more than a small fine.

[counter99]

is it NBA?? or just playing a street basketball!!

[kemetorigin]

I do not think financial penalties go far enough. Perhaps these imbeciles should be subjected to the punishment of the justice system as well. Perhaps there should be a 3 strike rule for players in which they would lose their jobs after 3 incidents. Then they would take it more seriously. They are able to act with virutal impunity as it stands now. What is a 25k fine to someone making 4 mill a year and perhaps more with endorsements?
The NBA bears some blame because they are more financially motivated and would not terminate the contracts of these players permanently b/c they do not want to lose "stars". I say blame the parents ultimately; I do not know what is happening with our society today.

[kemetorigin]

The racism is pathetic. However, when you have people who have poor character and little values before they acquire money, the only thing you have after they acquire money is a fool with money.

[kaliveotin]

Another look at the Low-life culture in the USA.
HFL players aren't any better. The so-called
"Music" industry is far worse. We're going to hell in a handbasket while the media make heros of these low=lives.

[shanev137]

wouldn't it be nice to get paid a couple million a year to get in little wussy-boy fights on a basketball court.

[cryonbrian]

To all who think it is a black or white issue.

I guess you have never seen a hockey game?

[generey]

Write down their names and pay attention to the salary increases next year.

[juliehg-2009]

Huge fines and out for the remainder of the season. While they're out, require anger management classes and community service teaching kids how to play nice and respect each other.

[ronniehm]

They'll get off easy because they're stars. If you don't believe me, punch someone at work Monday. See what you're doing Tuesday.

[guitar851]

"Forget about white and black. I won't even respond to ignorant bigots."

If you're referring to me, you're in error. I was trying to shut down the negative stereotype that black people are angry people who do nothing but get into trouble. As a white person I feel it's important not to forget the horrible racism my people have displayed in the past, and to make sure individuals in today's society don't rubber stamp minorities as negative influences on our society. Yes it's true that we should look at society in a color blind way, but when someone voices out an opinion that may influence others negatively, or strengthen a disparaging stereotype, it's important to address it.

As far as the sentencing goes, you're right, bad behavior by anyone should be punished as it sets a terrible standard for kids.

[rlw48]

Suspend and fine every aggressor involved in this embrassment to the NBA. Suspensions should be a minimum of ten games. Fines should be a minimum of twenty-five percent of individual player salaries. The commissioner should publicly name and label the guilty as poor examples of what the NBA stands for.

This is another sad day for the NBA!