This is a clip of a NBA player attacking a fan in the stands in 1981

[sportsfan76]

Wonder was this the 1st time in NBA History? Cedric Maxwell attacks a sixers fan in Philly in the Eastern Conference Finals during Game 6

click at 3:32

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbNXHJcxbjc

[jstern]

Maybe he got called the N word.

The security guard trying to keep things calm was funny. Time is flying fast, because he's probably really old or dead, as well as the fan.

The altercation starts here https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=XbNXHJcxbjc#t=204

[jstern]

That was a pretty fun game to watch, due to it being so different. McHale mopping the backboard, the fans throwing drinks at the players.

The fans seemed insane and more emotionally attached, with real hatred towards the opponent. I'm guessing that's because of the time. With no internet, less distractions, a team can become pretty popular. Now a days, getting such close seats is more something that people do for status.

I'm just pointing out the differences that I'm getting the feeling off, and not saying that one era is better than the other. In fact I'm not liking the way the fans were reacting.

Hook shot 3 pointer throwing the ball away (foot on the line) https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=XbNXHJcxbjc#t=799 Right after that a fan goes up to Bird and he just pushes him out of the way. Just too funny.

[ProfessorMurder]

Good shit. He'd be kicked out of the league now.

[JtotheIzzo]

It was a less litigious world back then and there were real consequences for your words, and people better understood that.

[pudman13]

Maxwell claimed that the guy stabbed him with a pencil. I don't see it on the clip, but it's possible. Apparently the guy used racist language with him too. I find it amazing that this happened and he wasn't even thrown out of the game, but I also think we've gone too far in the other direction now.

[PHILA]

Providence Journal - Feb 6, 1993 (http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/projo/access/576723331.html?dids=576723331:576723331&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Feb+06%2C+1993&author=Mike+Szostak&pub=The+Providence+Journal&desc=CELTICS+JOURNAL+Demise+of+rivalry+highlights+ tale+of+two+teams%27+woe&pqatl=google)

The Boston-Philadelphia rivalry was Larry Bird's favorite, and with good reason. In the early and mid-1980s, each Boston-Philly battle was a skirmish in what amounted to a season-long war.