Untold: Malice at the Palace Review

 

(Image is owned by tunefind.com, we do not own the rights)

The newest Netflix min-doc about the most infamous brawl in sports history is officially available for consumption. I remember watching the replays on ESPN as a kid when this happened and it was by far the craziest shit I've ever seen. What's interesting is that in that era of time I immediately agreed with what the media was saying and that was that the NBA players were completely out of control and they were to blame for the insane events that unfolded that night. Now, the way sports culture has changed in the way that players have more of a voice, I see this event entirely differently.

First, I have to say that although this hour long mini-doc was engaging and interesting, it didn't really add anything new to the story other than how the media and NBA treated the Pacers players in the aftermath. Which was wrong. But looking at the actual brawl, Pistons fans were the biggest disgrace in history of fanhood. Everyone knows that no matter where you are, no matter your status in life, if you throw a drink at someone, then it is automatically a fight. That's been the code as long as caveman were roaming this earth. If the Pistons fan doesn't toss a full beer at Ron Artest than none of this ever happens. Not surprising but what an asshole that guy is in the immediate interviews after and in this mini-doc. Zero remorse. The kind of guy that says venmo me for half of the night out and never pays. Also, if you're going to run in the stands and start a fight make sure you have a friend like Stephen Jackson because that dude gets down. No one regretted throwing a beer in Artest's face more than the 2nd guy who did it and got a 2 piece and a soda from Stephen Jackson right in the mouth.

The other hilarious Piston fan zoo creature is Charlie Haddad who during the melee came on the court to fight Ron Artest..... What's this guy drinking/taking?? Who in their right mind comes on the actual court during a brawl to take on an NBA player. And then Jermaine O' Neal comes out of nowhere in Ron Artest's defense and cold cocks this bozo to the floor. For this guy to come on the court and expect anything other than to get his ass beat is the purest form of delusion. Dude is the biggest loser in this doc doubling down on his actions 15 years later. Even has the audacity to call Jermaine O' Neal a "bitch". Classic short guy being mad at the world syndrome.

The shock factor of this brawl was so extreme I don't think anyone knew how to handle it and that's what led to the injustice of the NBA players. They were caught in a dangerous situation where they had to fight to protect themselves. You could argue that Artest shouldn't have gone in the stands but once a beer is thrown at you, you have the right to respond. NBA commissioner David Stern didn't look far enough into why the brawl unfolded like it did and decided to rule with a swift hand in order to send the message that fighting is unacceptable no matter what. However, in doing so players like Jermaine O' Neal had their reputation tarnished. All in all it's worth the hour and 9 minutes out of your day to tune in and re-live the brawl of all brawls. 

And shout out to Ron Artest for hitting that clutch 3 versus the Celtics in Game 7 to seal the Laker's championship victory.

-Peanut