NBA Must Send Rondo a Strong Message

First, it was Ron Artest (now known as Metta World Peace) running into the stands to confront a fan who threw a full bottle of soda at him, in what turned into a nasty brawl between players and fans in the stands in Detroit years ago.

As a result, fans at NBA games aren't allowed to have caps on their open bottles of Pepsi, Sprite, or whatever their drink of choice is. Not even us media folks, as I found out firsthand at Milwaukee's Bradley Center earlier this year.

Last night, a similar situation nearly took place at TD Gardens in Boston after Brooklyn Nets/Kardashian reality star Kris Humphries fouled Celtics forward Kevin Garnett during the final minute of the first half.



Click here to see video of the incident: http://aol.sportingnews.com/nba/story/2012-11-28/celtics-nets-brawl-fight-rajon-rondo-kris-humphries-kevin-garnett-gerald-wallace?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-main-bb%7Cdl2%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D239378

Immediately after the foul, Garnett's teammate Rajon Rondo went after Humphries, pushing him in the face and pushing him backwards until there were at least 10 players grabbing and pushing in several rows of courtside seats. There were also allegedly punches thrown. The video clearly shows Humphries initially doing everything in his power to avoid the conflict from escalating.

Interestingly, Rondo came into the night tied with John Stockton for the most consecutive games with 10 or more assists. He had just three when he was ejected, meaning Stockton's record remains safe for now. The two will remain tied in the record books.

Chicago Bulls fans near where I live are well-aware of Rondo's temper and aggressive style of play, as are NBA fans nationwide. In fact, his history of nonsense is well-documented.

In April 2012, Rondo was suspended one game for bumping a referee during a playoff game against the Atlanta Hawks. What made the incident even more pathetic was Rondo's lame excuse that the official "got in his way."

Earlier that season, in February, he was suspended for two games for throwing a ball at another official's chest.

When you also consider that Rondo's jersey is the sixth top-selling jersey in the entire NBA, one thing is clear: kids look up to Rondo. He's an incredibly talented, popular player.

People will be quick to point fingers, and on talk shows and sports shows across the country, the root of this problem will be discussed ... not just in Rondo's life, but in the lives of youths across the country.

Sure, fights and scuffles have gone on in the NBA as long as the league has existed. But these days, the fights seem to get scarier and scarier. We live in a society that shamefully has become little more at times than an a WWE wrestling match gone wrong, as evidenced by fans in Boston egging Rondo on as the incident occured.

This is the kind of moment that gets seered into our childrens' minds. Many of whom are busy asking their mom or dad, "Why are those men trying to hurt each other?" Even in the video, I see a young boy who can't be more than 10 or 11, with a giant green Celtics foam finger, who was nearly caught in the middle of the fray.

Frightening, as he stands there among seven-foot giants.

Instead of continuing on an even more long-winded rant, I will make my point brief and clear.

Throw the book at Rondo, commissioner Stern. And order him to seek some sort of help, as he clearly has an anger issue. Fans of the NBA, our kids who look up to these "men," they deserve better.

Deal with this swiftly, before someone innocent sitting in the stands gets hurt badly. Or worse.