Pacers' Artest calls suspension 'bit harsh'

INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana forward Ron Artest told ESPN that he thought his season-long suspension for the Nov. 19 brawl in Detroit was "a bit harsh."

Artest discussed his suspension in an interview broadcast Wednesday.

The NBA suspended Artest for the rest of the season for his part in the melee, which started on the court, spilled into the stands and went back onto the court.

"It was a bit harsh," Artest said during the interview, but added that he respected NBA commissioner David Stern's decision. "I'm a team player. I understand the decision he made."

Asked if he thought the penalty was fair, Artest said: "Although it hurt myself and the Pacers, if it's going to make the whole NBA better, then I'm with it."

Artest said the reactions he has encountered from fans since the suspension have been generally supportive, though he acknowledged he also has been the target of heckling and name-calling.

Artest had not given any televised interviews since he appeared on NBC's Today show shortly after the brawl. Many criticized Artest for not showing enough remorse in that interview, and also for repeatedly plugging a CD from a group on his record label.

Artest also was profiled in the May issue of GQ magazine, giving his longest explanation to date of why he bolted from the scorer's table during the Nov. 19 altercation and ran into the stands after a fan threw a cup of beer at him.

"I was thinking, Whoever did it, let me go confront him. I could've backed off, but I chose not to, because I don't want people to think they can just throw stuff at me. That's all I was going to do: confront him. But my emotions kind of got the best of me," Artest told GQ.

Artest's suspension has lasted into the playoffs, where the Pacers have reached the second round against the Detroit Pistons. The terms of Artest's suspension prevent him from attending the games.

"I know what I did wasn't right," Artest told ESPN. "It was only a cup. It wasn't like it was a brick. I realize that. And, I realize now that it's more important for me to be playing than to be home watching."