Brawls in the NBA don't happen very often, but when they do, they're usually memorable. Wednesday night's Suns-Rockets skirmish was no exception. It started with Matt Barnes and Rafer Alston squaring off, but soon Tracy McGrady was throwing Steve Nash to the ground, Yao Ming was sprawled out on top of McGrady and, with a few shoves, Shaquille O'Neal reminded us he's still the most dominant force in pro sports. Was this the most memorable fight in NBA history? Not even close, but here are the five spats that made our list...
1. Pistons vs. Pacers, Nov. 19, 2004: The most infamous brawl in American sports history began on the court when Ben Wallace went after Ron Artest late in the fourth quarter, but soon spilled into the stands after a fan threw a beer at Artest. Nine players were suspended for a total of 146 games, five players were charged with assault and the NBA had its biggest P.R. nightmare in league history (at least until Tim Donaghy came along).
2. Celtics vs. Pistons, May 24, 1987: By 1987, just about everyone in the free world who didn't live in Detroit hated Bill Laimbeer. Larry Bird was no exception, so when the Pistons center threw him down while Bird was attempting a layup during Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals, the Celtics Hall of Famer did what came naturally to him: He slugged Laimbeer, leading to this famous brawl. Don't miss the end, when Bird does his best Nolan Ryan imitation and chucks the basketball at Laimbeer's head from 20 feet away.
3. Rockets vs. Lakers, Dec. 9, 1977: This fight can best be described in two words -- The Punch -- referring to Kermit Washington's violent decking of Rudy Tomjonavich during a skirmish between the two teams. The Rockets forward suffered severe fractures of the face and skull and was hospitalized for weeks while Washington received a 26-game suspension, the longest in NBA history.
4. Shock vs. Sparks, July 22, 2008: We know, we know. How can you include a WNBA fight in this list? Well, the list is most memorable brawls and this certainly fits that description. It featured the league's top player, Candace Parker, getting down and dirty while Bill Laimbeer acts as peacemaker. The best part was Detroit assistant Rick Mahorn, who tried to break it up, but ended up throwing Lisa Leslie to the ground.
5. Celtics vs. Rockets, June 5, 1986: This fight may be the mismatch of the century -- pairing Ralph Sampson (7-foor-4) against Jerry Sichting (6-foot-1) -- but the Celtics guard held his own. What is most impressive about this battle is that it occurred during Game 5 of the NBA Finals. So much for restraint during the biggest game of the year.
Honorable Mention: The Alonzo Mourning-Larry Johnson fight, which featured 150-pound Jeff Van Gundy holding feebly onto Mourning's leg, should make any list -- but we couldn't dig up a video, honorable mention will have to suffice.
Which famous basketbrawls did we forget? Let us know below...
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Comments (54) Add A Comment
It is good to see Detroit representing! Woo Hoo!
Mr. Beepo
Ypsilanti , MI
Total Comments (202)
Two of those mentioned.... Laimbeer and Mahorn plus Daly.... are responsible for making the NBA unwatchable.... only recently has the NBA started to recover from their thug influence.....
Sir Robin (again)
Camelot, UK
Total Comments (11174)
Van Gundy holding on to Zo's leg was absolutely hilarious.
homercles82
Spotsylvania , VA
Total Comments (353)
I'm pretty sure there was an epic fight that involved Shawn Bradley being literally picked up and dropped. And it was hilarious. I just wish I could remember more details!!
Where's My Team?
Wilmore , KY
Total Comments (793)
1967-68 Willis Reed Single handely took on the entire laker team. I believe he beat the crap out of Rudy Larusso, Daryl Imhoff and I cant recall the other player .He hurt them pretty bad
knickfanforevah
Brooklyn , NY
Total Comments (3)
how can we for get on eof the most infamous fights ever. Kermit Washington sucker punching Rudy T and basically ending his career. There was an entire book written about this incident
knickfanforevah
Brooklyn , NY
Total Comments (3)
you mean the third entry on the list?
orzechowskid
Worcester, MA
Total Comments (10)
How can we forget Dr. J and Larry Bird or was Charles Barkley and Larry Bird while the other held Bird, so that the other can punch away.
Total Package
El Paso, TX
Total Comments (1129)
Read the areticle you idiot.
homercles82
Spotsylvania , VA
Total Comments (353)
No the 3rd entry on the list was the heat against the Knicks
knickfanforevah
Brooklyn , NY
Total Comments (3)
Dave Cowens over the big guy from Seattle Burleson. Go Big Red
Hbomb
Cumberland , RI
Total Comments (3)
Danny Ainge used to get in fights every other week. I liked the one where he bit Tree Rollins and then ran. Tree running after Ainge was hilarious.
DABDAB
Total Comments (9)
What about that Corliss Williamson and Derrick Coleman brawl in Sacremento. That was pretty damn good.
ForeverTito
Virginia Beach , VA
Total Comments (1)
Learn to spell correctly idiot.
Does to many drugs
Total Comments (3902)
Yea he got straight body slammed...lol
Does to many drugs
Total Comments (3902)
Fights??????? Those are fights?
Mac Brody
Sj, CA
Total Comments (8693)
There was another Fight concerning the Celtics [I do not remember the specific year or series] but the Celtics were playing the Atlanta Hawks and Tree Rollins bit the finger of Danny Ainge. There was a video close-up on his face as he strained to bite the finger.
JMadden17
Walpole, MA
Total Comments (34)
What about the fight between Doug Christie from Sacramento and one of the Laker (can't remember his name....Mr. Vanessa Williams???) Anyway, the fight went from the court to the locker hallway and MRS. Christie jumped down from the stands and proceeded to jump in with her purse waiving. HI-larious.
dmac90
Olivehurst, CA
Total Comments (2)
Xavier Mcdaniel of Seattle -VS- Charles Oakley of the Knicks at MSG. They both fell into the crowd.
Kevin Johnson of the Suns -VS- Doc Rivers of the Knicks
Carmelo (The Running Man)Anthony of the Nuggets -VS- Mardy Collins, Chased by Jared Jefferies. The Tag team assist goes to 5'7" Nate Robinson of the Knicks for tackling another Nuggets player into the Garden crowd
BIG BLAST
New York , NY
Total Comments (4)
A.C Green vs Lurch from the celtics. That fight was the greatest. The only problem was the 30 minutes it took to mop up all of A.C. Greens jerry curl juice he splattered across the forum floor.
phuccyeww
Total Comments (25)
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