Why the NBA needs to be suspended for the season and not Artest

So, wow. By now, you have seen the fights at Auburn Hills. Ron Artest went up into the crowd and put the beat down on a fan or two after being struck by a cup of beer/soda. A melee broke out and several fans and players got into fisticuffs. The NBA, via David Stern, effectively ended the Pacers season by suspending three of their starters, one for 25 games, one for 30 games, and the other for the rest of the season. So, if you are a fan of a team, what is the best way to help them get into the playoffs and get a good seed? That's right, start a fight with a member of one of the best teams in your team's league.

So, why did I say the league should be suspended? Because of the extreme negligence on the part of the NBA. Ron Artest (and I imagine others) has been hit by debris thrown by fans in the past. At least on one occassion, he had to be restrained from going into the stands. As far as I am aware, the NBA has not revoked those fans tickets for future games when they threw things onto the field of play. The NBA has therefore said to its players "We are not going to act to protect you from outrageous fans." The NBA refused to react against its fans who acted disobediently, and I hold Ron Artest harmless for reacting to being assaulted multiple times without anyone taking appropriate action.