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This issue with 'thug mentality' can be explanied quite simply and easily to all the people who think that this is all lies. NBA players mostly are guys who grew up on the streets and in poverty. They were great athletes and NBA owners didn't care if these guys were good citizens or not. Basketball brawls most closely resemble street gang fights. At heart Ron Artest is a thug and the way he retaliates is through fighting. All these guys are great basketball players who are street raised men. They're put in the spotlight and are paid enormous amounts of money. When inicidents like brawls occur, pressure or nervousness are not to blame for it all. The desire to win is also NOT a factor. I don't see any desire to win in the NBA, only college has that. These guys fight because its a natural instinct.
Thugs are thugs. The thugs of the NBA make it look like a street league. The ones who controllable and good-hearted players are still labeled because of their fellow players. Why should we excuse these individuals for their actions. I honestly think David Stern is too kind of a man and guys like Artest, Stephen Jackson, and Nate Robinson should be not suspended, BUT kicked for good. Maybe the players who are thugs realize that they will lose their jobs and millions of dollars for their immature actions. If they did what they do in brawls on the court on the street, they'd be in jail. While here they're suspended and fined mediocre amounts. When we see a guy get fined 250k, you think that's unbelievable. Though, for these thugs its not that much. It might encourage them to do it again.
The bottom line is if the guy fights, its breaking the law. If it was on the street it would be an assualt! Why make these thugs look like heroes when they are actual criminals!

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