Embattled Indiana Pacers forward Ron Artest asked the public yesterday to "move on" from Friday night's brawl in Auburn Hills, Mich., as reports that an additional player was involved in the melee reached local authorities.
Artest, whose season-long suspension was appealed yesterday by the NBA Players Association, went on a media offensive in a series of national and local interviews, expressing contrition and regret for his role in the brawl at a game with the Detroit Pistons even as he plugged a new CD he produced for an R&B band.
| _____ Brawl in Detroit _____
Five Pacers are charged with assault and battery for their roles in the brawl.
Ron Artest continues his enigmatic tendencies as he sorts through the aftermath of his brawl and the public's perception of him.
_____ On Our Site _____
Live Online: Post's Greg Sandoval discussed the brawl Wednesday.
What's your opinion?
_____ Multimedia _____
Audio: Prosecutor David Gorcyca talks about the charges.
Audio: Chief hopes fans will change as a result of charges.
Video: Artest expresses regret for the brawl and promotes a new CD.
Video: The Post's Wise on the suspensions and the aftermath.
_____ A Fit Punishment? _____ | | |
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"Things happen and you move on," Artest said on NBC's "Today Show." "Nobody benefited from this situation."
Meantime, Auburn Hills police said they have videotape showing Pacers reserve center David Harrison striking two men, according to Lt. James Manning, spokesman for the Auburn Hills Police Department.
Harrison hit one of the men, John Ackerman, 67, twice. Neither Harrison nor anyone from Pacers' management would comment.
NBA spokesman Tim Andree said late last night that NBA officials had reviewed footage of the blows delivered by Harrison over the weekend and decided not to suspend him.
"Because of the condition that was occurring in the exit at the time the player was attempting to leave the floor," Andree said, "it was decided that Harrison would not be suspended."
Manning said last night the league had requested a copy of the videotape.
"If we obtain information beyond what we have," Andree said, "we would take that into account."
If suspended, Harrison would become the fifth Pacer to draw a suspension, joining Artest, Stephen Jackson (30 games), Jermaine O'Neal (25) and Anthony Johnson (five). That would reduce the number of available Indiana players to seven.
The Pacers activated Johnson yesterday from the injured list, two weeks earlier than expected, and he began serving his suspension. He has not played this season because of a broken right hand. He was hurt four weeks ago, and was initially expected to miss six to eight weeks.
The players union filed an appeal yesterday to reduce the suspensions of Artest, Jackson and O'Neal.
Attorneys for Ackerman and William Paulson filed separate lawsuits in Oakland County Circuit Court yesterday against the Pacers franchise, Artest, Jackson and O'Neal, according to the Associated Press. Ackerman has also named Palace Sports & Entertainment, which operates the Pistons' arena. They have asked for unspecified damages.
Paulson, 26, claims that Jackson struck him. In his suit, Ackerman says he was punched by O'Neal. Police say Ackerman is mistaken about who hit him.
