Suspensions handed out for MSG melee

Again the NBA can't have get through an entire season without a fight breaking out. The Knicks and Nuggets now have to suffer the consequences after players let their anger get the best of them. Carmelo Anthony, which I would have never expected to react the way he did will serve a 15-game suspension whereas Nate Robinson, Marty Collins, and J.R. Smith get slapped with 10 games. Also, both teams were fined $500,000. I don't understand why the NBA thinks it get prevent further bad behavior by posing such a small fine.

NBA players as everyone knows are making millions a year so why not at least take away bonuses or extra incentives they normally receive when a chaotic event erupts. To be fair, on the contrary teammates who intervene to break up the fighting and don't inflict any physical harm shouldn't be punished. They should be commended for doing the right thing. I did see Knicks forward David Lee coming over and trying to pull back Jared Jeffries. The same goes for the Nuggets' Eduardo Najera, who was only trying to help defuse the situation. Several others were ejected for coming off the bench, which made no sense since they didn't seem to throw any punches or kicks.

There are much work left to be done to clean up the NBA. Superstar players like Anthony are hurting their image and reputation. It's one thing to defend yourself, but it's another to blatantly strike a person because you're angry. Also, this incident could've been avoided if the Knicks' Marty Collins would've accepted the loss and not made such a stupid decision to wrap up J.R. Smith on the fast break. Everyone knows New York is frustrated and are in a funk, but that doesn't mean it's okay for players to act uncivilized and fail to contain their emotions. Plus Isiah Thomas needs to keep his mouth shut if he can't be of a positive solution instead of part of the problem. The NBA must tighten up their policies and start taking drastic measures to drive a strong message home to players.