10 Years Ago Today...

[Hovadipo 56,530]

(Mods can move this if they want. Just wanted to get a conversation going on the main board.)

10 years ago today was the Malice at the Palace. The event that single handedly tanked the Pacers for a number of years, and also just happened to be a microcausm of what Detroit was about to become. (Or had already become, someone can correct me on that) I was 11 or 12 and neither my dad or I were huge NBA fans, but were watching this game together for some reason when this happened. 25 minutes of utter shock ensued. We didn't really say anything for the entire time. After the dust settled we just went to bed.

I still don't know why the Pacers get ALL of the blame for this. Wallace really is the one who started it, then the lovely people of Detroit finished it. The Pacers obviously reacted wrong, but they weren't completely at fault.

Also, European soccer fans probably watch this and say "THIS is what you call a fan disturbance?"

Where were you?

http://youtu.be/uFK9C5VUSK0

Edit: Austin Croshere at 3:28 lol.

[KingPG21 6,587]

I still remember interviews from Pistons fans days after the incident and they thought Ben Wallace got way too harsh a punishment and shouldn't have even been fined. Just blew my mind. 

 

Also find it funny to look back on comments Ron made in the locker room after the incident, guy didn't have a clue

[CampHoosier 3,697]

The Pacers would have been the clear contender for the East that season. The season that never was led to the destruction of that franchise. To this day, the attendance is pathetic to put it the the most kind way possible. 

[moyemayhem 1,295]

The Pacers would have been the clear contender for the East that season. The season that never was led to the destruction of that franchise. To this day, the attendance is pathetic to put it the the most kind way possible. 

 

The Pacers actually had the 12th highest attendance rate in the league last year at 96.3%.  Unsurprisingly, it is down to 24th this year at 86.0%.  The brawl definitely killed Indy's love affair with the Pacers, but success and Paul George have gotten the attendance back to a reasonable level.  Uncompetitive teams in markets of Indy's size will always really struggle with attendance.  As long as George returns and the team is competitive next year, I anticipate that the fans will be back.

[sirhoosierlot 2,818]

It's weird the guy with the most technical fouls in NBA history is one of the most level headed people during that 

[BGleas 7,917]

I was working in the Boston Celtics PR Department when this happened. It was crazy. We had a home game that night and our next game was against Indiana. I remember watching it in the lockeroom after our game, while knowing it was a big deal, not truly understanding the magnitude, and Paul Pierce clapping and cheering because they knew Artest would be suspended for the upcoming game. 

 

Remember back then, the Pacers and Celtics played in the playoffs a few times and Pierce/Artest had some battles.

[Candystriped 67]

Its crazy to think that the Pacers got the brute of everything, including fines, suspensions, etc. The Pistons , their fans, their lack of security, etc were never really punished or made responsible. David Harrison was a rookie that year and has recently started a blog were he basically tells all about his experience with the Pacers, and specifically about the brawl in the Palace. An interesting read if you can get past all the grammatical errors 

[Trish 11,626]

This has cursed the Pacers franchise as i believe they will never make it to the big stage. 

[Candystriped 67]

This has cursed the Pacers franchise as i believe they will never make it to the big stage. 

I think it is too soon to say "never". Paul George is one of the up and coming stars of the league. I think within the next 5 years they back towards the top. Last year honestly should've been their year. They had the best record in the NBA by a longshot for most of the year. I think they get George back and add another piece or two and they can easily compete for a championship

[BubbleKnuts 569]

"You're a bunch of cowardly punks." He hit the nail on the head. Hehe. I was a freshman in high school. Initially watching it on sports center I couldn't believe my eyes.

[Trish 11,626]

I think it is too soon to say "never". Paul George is one of the up and coming stars of the league. I think within the next 5 years they back towards the top. Last year honestly should've been their year. They had the best record in the NBA by a longshot for most of the year. I think they get George back and add another piece or two and they can easily compete for a championship

 

 

With the east being so TERRIBLE, they should always be a top 4 seed for the next several years with PG in the mix. How PG will respond after his injury will be seen once he returns in February, but i agree with your point that they need to add a few more players to compete to go against the mighty western conf.

 

Roy needs to show up past January and they Frank needs to work on his offense. 

[KingPG21 6,587]

With the east being so TERRIBLE, they should always be a top 4 seed for the next several years with PG in the mix. How PG will respond after his injury will be seen once he returns in February, but i agree with your point that they need to add a few more players to compete to go against the mighty western conf.

 

Roy needs to show up past January and they Frank needs to work on his offense. 

He needs to hire an offensive minded assistant.......... feels like I've said/typed this maybe a thousand times since the end of last season. 

[Trish 11,626]

He needs to hire an offensive minded assistant.......... feels like I've said/typed this maybe a thousand times since the end of last season. 

 

 

I agree. I'm not a fan of the pacers but i do watch them since i live in Indiana. Though offense can be hard to watch at times. It kind of reminds be of Wisconsin ball.. but not really lol

[OliviaPope40 6,565]

I was in six grade when it happened and all I could remember was people talking about it the day after but I found it quite comical in a way.