Because James is who he is, the incident will be skewed a certain way. Stewart doesn’t have quite the same exalted image.
Detroit — In the aftermath of Sunday night’s altercation between LeBron James and the Pistons’ Isaiah Stewart, the focus shifts how the NBA league office will handle the situation and whether either player — or both — will get a suspension for the incident. It was an ugly episode, to be sure, but it doesn’t rise to the level of “Malice at the Palace” from Nov.19,2004, as some were quick to refer to in the hours afterward. This wasn’t a fight where James and Stewart were face-to-face combatants with fists raised and no barriers between them. In fact, that was one of the understated — and fortunate — outcomes of the entire incident, that fans didn’t get involved. John Mason, the public-address announcer, helped keep things under control by reminding fans not to go near the court, not to throw anything and to remain calm. Security guards near the courtside area were diligent in maintaining order and ensuring that the only extracurricular action was on the court. James, for his part, looked to throw an elbow and a closed fist, both near Stewart’s face. Initially, James wasn’t called for any foul and Stewart was whistled for a loose-ball foul. After video review, the officials assessed James a flagrant-2 foul, which warranted the ejection, and Stewart got two technical fouls for “multiple unsportsmanlike acts during the altercation,” according Scott Foster, the crew chief of the officials. Because James is who he is, the incident will be skewed a certain way. It will be hard for many observers to see him through a lens other than as an ambassador for the league and for the sport.
