First, he committed a cheap foul on Ben Wallace when the game between his Indiana Pacers and the Detroit Pistons was really over.

Detroit?s Ben Wallace took exception to it and gave him a hard forearm shove -- which was uncalled for -- but Artest showed real constraint by not going after him -- a man much bigger than himself. Instead, he got cocky, walked over to the scorer?s table -- instead of going to his own bench -- and laid down on it. 

Then, after a stupid fan threw a half a cup of beer on his chest, Artest went ballistic. (Wallace's forearm didn?t bother Artest, but a liquid refreshment did. Go figure!)

So, Artest decided to go into the stands and began throwing punches at a little guy who didn't even throw the beer at him in the first place. Nice job, Ron.

Ron Artest has something mentally wrong with him. Just last week, he asked for a month off because he was tired -- probably tired of promoting his new CD.

Well, Ron, now you have a whole year to work on that CD or perhaps make a new one. Your selfishness and mental breakdown may have cost your team a shot at the playoffs. Of course, some of your teammates thought it was worth suspensions and fines to throw shots at some unruly fans, too.

Quite frankly, NBA Commissioner David Stern made the right decision in the strong punishments he handed out. If I was at work and someone threw a cup of beer on me and I attacked them, I would be fired, not suspended, right then and there. At least Artest will get a chance to cool off for a year and come back. His other career can support him.

Sure, some say that the fans were the whole problem in the altercation. Even John Saunders of ESPN blamed it on the fans.

Yes, the fans should shoulder some of the blame. In fact, I heard that the guy who threw the beer will not be allowed in the Palace again and he deserves that.

But what about the fan who was standing next to him and was attacked by a much larger NBA player? Why should he have to worry about his safety when he goes to an NBA game?

He shouldn't and neither should the women and children who attend the games.

Players just don't belong in the stands, just as fans don't belong on the floor. Players have hit fans who ran onto the field of play before and were not charged with assault. Should fans be able to attack players if they come into the stands?

I would think the Indiana Pacers would have just walked off the floor when the fans started throwing beers on them. They beat the Pistons rather handily and could have just got out of the Palace early and headed home.

But no. Their pride was hurt. Their thinking was more like ? "No one is going to throw liquid on me and get away with it. I'm going into the stands along with my teammates and swing wildly, hopefully hitting someone, anyone, who gets in my way."

To be fair, I think Wallace should have received more games for almost pushing Artest into the stands. Maybe the Piston's organization should have been fined or reprimanded for not having enough security to take care of the situation.

Either way, this does not excuse the fact that the whole thing would have never happened had Artest went to his bench and sat down or if he would have just left as soon as fans started throwing drinks at him.

I applaud Stern for having the guts to be judge and jury and handing down the harsh suspensions he did. He sent a strong message to any player who is stupid enough to think about going into the stands.

Players have to have thick skin to handle the abuse they get from the fans. Making millions of dollars to play a game for a living should help them grow some of that thick skin.

Fans need to realize how expensive their drinks are and stop wasting them on these millionaires. If the fans are stupid enough to throw their drinks instead of drink them, then security needs to crack down on them. It's not that difficult.

So, what now? Personally, I'm on my way to pick up Artest's new CD so he will be able to survive the next year with no pay from the Pacers. I hope he's not too tired to make another one.

Keep on rappin' Ronnie.