Dangerous when mixed: Fans, players a volatile brew

Updated: November 28, 2005, 2:34 PM ET
By John Carroll | Scouts Inc.

As we reach the one-year anniversary of "The Brawl," I remember seeing footage of that incident being played on every television station countless times. Although my initial reaction in watching the violence that night was shock, I honestly can say that I was not surprised. Let me explain.

Having been a coach for 29 years at the college and NBA level, I have witnessed firsthand what goes on in arenas throughout the country. I have personally been in every arena in the NBA (and quite a few in college) and sat on the bench as both and an assistant and a head coach. I know the atmosphere that players, coaches and team personnel must endure.


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John Carroll

Scouts, Basketball Recruiting
John Carroll joined Scouts Inc. after nine years as an NBA coach, including a seven-year tenure with the Boston Celtics that concluded with a four-month stint as interim head coach in 2003-04. Before joining the NBA, Carroll spent six years as head coach at Duquesne University and seven years at Seton Hall as an assistant to head coach P.J. Carlesimo.

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