In Focus: NBA brawls
Jason Terry (right) and Kris Humphries tangle during Wednesday’s Celtics-Nets game. (Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
By Andy Gray
It was Fight Night in Boston on Wednesday as Rajon Rondo and Kris Humphries got into it after the Nets’ forward knocked down Celtics center Kevin Garnett. This isn’t the first NBA fight and won’t be the last. Here are a look at some other memorable NBA brawls.
Kermit Washington throws a punch to the jaw of Rudy Tomjanovich (inset) during a December 1977 Lakers-Rockets game. “The Punch” shattered Tomjanovich’s jaw and face and inflicted life-threatening head injuries, leaving him sidelined for five months. He eventually made a full recovery and returned to action. (AP)
*****
The Celtics and Lakers go at it during the 1985 NBA Finals. (Richard Mackson/SI)
*****
Grant Long throws Miami assistant coach Alvin Gentry to the ground during a 1994 Hawks-Heat game. (AP)
*****
Juwan Howard (left) throws a punch at Bimbo Coles during a 1996 Heat-Bullets game. Chris Bernacchi/AFP/Getty Images)
*****
Charles Oakley and Alonzo Mourning exchange blows during a heated 1998 playoff game between the Knicks and Heat. New York assistant Jeff Van Gundy famously clings to Mourning’s leg. (AP)
Antonio Davis (34) throws a punch at Brendan Haywood during a 2004 Bulls-Wizards game. (Getty Images)
*****
The Knicks and Nuggets exchange pleasantries during a 2006 game at Madison Square Garden. (Andrew Gombert/SI)
*****
Kings mascot Slamson throws some haymakers during a 2011 game against the Suns. (AP)
What no Pistons, you kidding me right, where is Laimbeer, Mahorn, Rodman, didn't he look odd at the HOF, maybe he should hadmore of the pistin there he would have had on a regular mens suit, but he is my favorite player. Also the greatest brawl of all time at the Place with World Peace.