The entire state of the NBA is in disarray. I believe that Nate feels sorry for his actions. However, I also believe that the current trend for fans and league insiders alike is to identify a need for change, but to do little about it. The Commissioner's penalty was appropriate in the instance, but I believe will do little to stop the growing trend of self-gratification in the league. Perhaps focus should not be on the individual, but rather on the league as a whole. Major reforms need to be put in place regarding educational and professional standards and ethics for players, coaches, and other NBA team staff. I don't want to sound pessimistic, but if attitudes and behaviors continue, the league will be in serious trouble in the future. I didn't want to think that it could get to this point, but I believe it has. It's not just one fight that makes or breaks the image of a sport, but rather a continual reinforcement of perception to those outside of the league.

It's cool. Stuff happens. If you take a good lesson from this, it becomes valuable, and there wasnt' much real harm done. The 'noise' will blow over, but the issue will continue for the NBA until the underlying issues sort themselves out. There is a lot of talk about million dollar athletes who don't exhibit the level of professionalism as defined by the administrators of their sport. We live in a violent world, the great majority of which is counterproductive. To the extent which team owners and bosses are concerned over the sports image, I am unconcerned. The greater conversation, about human maturity, and a society that overly rewards athletic prowess and then naively expects professionalism from these very young men, that foolishness is worthy of a social conversation. To that extent, blame must be shouldered by more than just the individuals are less to blame than the situation that they are expected to adapt to.

Nate its all good homie. I would have did the same thing!!!! Keep your help....

I wish everyone could be as big as you. Maybe in the future, we might even see a post like this from the coaches. Or am I dreaming?

Hi Nate,
It seems like such an honor and priviledge for athletes like yourself to play professional sports who have worked so hard to reach the heights of your profession. So few make it to your level, attain your skills and are welcomed into so many family living rooms across the country. You are admired by so many only to witness such an ugly display of conduct.

I really do admire your athletism and amazing talents - but alas you throw it all away so quickly, when I have to explain to my kids why guys who are the best of the best and make $$$$$$ fall prey to an inner weaknesses - you are no less of a man, no less of a competitor and certainly no less of an athlete if you rise up to a higher professional standard and avoid the street brawl mentality. we love our athletes - we raise you up whether you like it or not and want to see dignity, class and style even in the hottest of emotional moments.

Best of luck from here on out - we'll try to keep watching you great athletes...

You are a honorable man.

Nate,

the fact that your apologizing and being so forthright about it is a huge and you've earned my respect and Im a Suns fan (as I live in PHX)...just dont let that ruin your season. As our Suns coach said today, we leave our starters in but it in no way reflects any disrespect towards the opposing team. Now Coach Karl may have been trying to rub it in, but the best recourse for you and your team should be to beat the crap out of them on their home court...that would get under their skin and make a statement...Good luck to you after your suspension.. take this ooportunity to make a winning season out of this and turn that negative energy into postive results! God bless....

Hooray!! A man who accepts responsibility for his part in the melee. None of the T.O.-like claims of, "it was an accident". Bravo!

Nate

I am sorry that all this happened to you, and that you have to miss 10 games. I have tickets to the game when your team comes to town. I was hoping the suspension would be shorter so i could see you play again. Come back from these 10 games with more intense desire to dominate the league.

I say, if it ever happens again you're kicked off the team, period! And that goes for any player in "professional" sports. There's no justification for any of you to get paid the kind of money you do when you're incapable of having any self control and acting like an adult. Man up and earn that pay!!!

Apology ACCEPTED!!!!!!!!!

VERY VERY STRANGE....
You guys are crucified for fighting... And HOCKEY players are encouraged by the league to fight...VERY VERY STRANGE...

Nate, as a Knicks fan you apology is greatly appreciated. You are a talented player who has defied the odds and is fun to watch. Please keep in mind that the best way to prove yourself is on the court winning games, not fights. I think an apology is in order on the part of your head coach. Isiah seemed to condone a response to poor sportsmanship with poor sportsmanship. Additionally, he showed no remorse after the fight. If it were not for his implicit consent this may never have happened.

Nate,

We all know you play with great heart, if only you always used your head...

This fan accepts your apology.

I feel that these sports heroes should understand their personal debt to all children; They are supposed to be ROLE MODELS! As the same thing also happened at a Piston game I read about, these athletes showed brutish manners,and unprofessional-like conduct.If we Humans are supposed to be intelligent, and above the Animals, then we should behave properly and accordingly.

It is very sad how many of today's athletes are chosing to behave. I am a big sports fan, but, I must admit in recent years I've been very disappointed in the conduct of fans and athletes. To the point that I no longer even watch NBA. The most recent occurrance was the Albert Haynesworth incident. He is even from the college in my hometown and I think he should have been banned from football forever. I think it's just a reflection of how our society is going down. If the powers that be would really put their foot down and care more about character than filling stadiums, this nonsense would stop and there would be a higher caliber of players.

Hey Nate - I am sorry to hear that you won't be playing in Seattle as I bought tickets for that game to see you. I think that your apology is very nice, although, in looking at the relay of the fight, I can't see where you where your actions would justify a 10 game suspension. Realizing that the NBA might be trying to make a statement, do you plan on appealing your suspension? I certainly think it is disproportionate to your actions and I hope it is reviewed and reversed.

Nate, I am a heat fan and I have seen things like this back in the days between the Knicks and the Heat. I guess you guys just got cought up in a bad moment. Main thing is you learn from your mistake and move on. Only God can judge you..)

The name of your league should be change to " National Streetbrawlers Association" You guys haven't played team basketball for 20 yrs.

The name of your league should be change to " National Streetbrawlers Association" You guys haven't played team basketball for 20 yrs.

You are still growing up and you guys need direction but you have Thomas who himself lost in the search.

good man

dude you took down JR Smith, he should be embarrassed.

I watched you at UW, watched you get drafted, and hoped you would have a great career....I really do hope you learn from this, because you let alot of us Wa state fans down.....

Next time dont listen to your coach, I cannot believe he told you guys to hard foul like that...and to me that kind of coach does not need to be teaching you. No matter how many Titles he may have won.

I thougth it was a very bad example to all the fans especially the kids. Carmelo made it worse by punching the other player (and ran!). NBA players should change the way they represent themselves, like rap videos & others, we should make the change because crimes in the nation is up...and these type of events are contributing to the already messed up society.