Happy 15th Malice at The Palace Anniversary

Such a surreal experience watching that when I was 16 years old. 

And thus was born the irony of Meta World Peace.

Can't believe I was 15 rows up.....and left with a few minutes to go because the Pistons were losing by so much.  We got back in the car and turned the radio on to hear the final score, except we were greeted with something completely different.  Not much I could do as a 16 year old going with my buddy's dad who wanted to beat traffic, but I do regret that one.......

A lot of people forget that Artest had really turned into a great all-around player during the start of that season. Now he was chipping in 20 points to go along with his defense, and the Pacers looked like they were the team to beat in the east. Still one of the worst things I've witnessed at a sporting event. 

The 'Malice' was the first thing I thought of while watching the whole Rudolph-Garrett-et al situation last Thursday. Seeing that unfold it gave me stark memories of that night in Auburn Hills.

And to think, I turned that game off with a few minutes to go when it looked like Indiana was going to win.  Whoops.

Mason Rudolph must have instigated this

Let he who is without sin, cast the first beer!

As a Pacers fan, November 19 is the worst sports day for me. That 04-05 Pacers team was destined to win the championship, until not.

I was at that game - my then GF got free tickets from her employer.

We left in the early 4th Quarter.  Wanted to beat traffic.

I didn't know what we missed until the next day.  I went for a run around 11 AM and stopped at a 7/11 to pick up a couple things for the day of watching college football.  The big 24-point headlines on the newspapers were ........ stunning.

I was 5 rows up. Craziest shit I have ever seen in person.

Seems like only yesterday I was sitting on my couch taking bong rips and watching that. 

Remains my claim to fame in terms of "historic" in-person sports experiences, more so than Michigan classics such as the Braylon Game, Under the Lights I, Driesbach-to-Hayes, Henne-to-Manningham, etc.

What I remember most is the pain-in-the-ass Pacers fans sitting behind us... I have no idea why we stayed until the end but it was worth it just to see those guys end up despondent and beside themselves in a game they won. 

Seeing Artest run into the crowd was the first moment we had a reason to get on our feet all game. It was glorious. It was one of maybe 3 Pistons games I attended in my life.

I was there. Oh the memories.

I attended soooo many Pistons games from '00-'05. I don't remember how many, but notable games of the division and conference championship series clinching games of '03 vs the Nets and Pacers - both of those games were just absolutely wild, so many stories from those two alone. Fights breaking out in front of us where a guy got thrown about 4 rows down. These two very beautiful ladies that (at the time) 19ish year old me had "sit" with us because they couldn't find their seats. The craziness after the game in the parking lot. A dude and girl fight where they both exchanged blows like a '90's action film. Finding a giant sack of dope someone dropped in a stall at a Burger King by the Palace. So many good memories.

But, I would trade those games for being at this one and being able to witness that in person.

I was watching at a Hooters in Asheville N.C.  I left a few minutes before the end thinking it was over.  Got a text from my friend the next day saying "Oh Man! I can't believe you missed it!"

My folks and brother traveled all day from Anchorage, AK to visit family down in Tecumseh for Turkey Day. Bought tix for the game a month in advance, and boy did they get their money's worth! 

I miss the palace