In international hoops news, a brawl erupted on the court Canada’s men’s national team took on Italy in what was supposed to be a “friendly” exhibition match in preparation for the FIBA Americas Championship.

Americans are shocked and displeased by the incident, mostly because none of them have ever heard of the FIBA Americas Championship or basketball being played outside of the continental US.  However, one man is absolutely furious about it:  Ron Artest is steaming about the blatant amatuerism displayed during the fight. Here’s a statement given to the AP and a guy who sells Affliction shirts:

I am deeply saddened by the current state of in-game fighting within the basketball community.  A pattern has emerged where scrapping has greatly decreased and holding back fighters has greatly increased.  This so called “brawl” was very sparse as far as ass kicking goes. Even worse, they made no attempt to include members of the audience in the skirmish.  With an international match-up like this, someone could have easily set off the crowd with something as simple as an ethnic slur.  These players don’t seem to understand that fighting fellow athletes can never compare to the pleasure of fighting drunk, out of shape spectators.  They go down far easier.

Artest lost close to seven million dollars in salary because of his part in the 2004 Pacers-Pistons brawl.  When asked if he regrets the incident, Artest said he did not.

I just want to give the people a good show.  Well, not the ones I’m fighting, but everybody else.