Artest Rejoins Practice
Ron Artest practiced with the Indiana Pacers on Monday for the first time in more than two months since he was suspended for the rest of the season for fighting with Detroit Piston fans on Nov. 19. Artest did not comment.
Meanwhile, all 10 people charged in the brawl were scheduled to appear today in a Rochester Hills, Mich., courtroom.
Pacers facing misdemeanor charges are Artest, Stephen Jackson, Anthony Johnson, David Harrison and Jermaine O’Neal.
Fans charged with misdemeanors are John Green, John Ackerman, William Paulson and David Wallace, brother of Piston center Ben Wallace. Fan Bryant Jackson is charged with felonious assault for allegedly tossing a chair.
Charles Haddad, 21, who police say was punched by two players, pleaded no contest Monday to violating a local ordinance that prohibits fans from entering the basketball court. He faces up to 90 days in jail or a $500 fine.
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Former Laker coach Phil Jackson told ESPN that he hadn’t been contacted by the New York Knicks about becoming their next coach but reiterated that he’d be willing to talk to the team.
“I’d have to listen to them,” Jackson said. “That doesn’t mean that I’d be ready to coach.”
Lenny Wilkens resigned as coach of the Knicks on Saturday. Herb Williams replaced him for the rest of the season.
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