A year has finally passed since the infamous basket-brawl. For some involved it seems as though it took place years ago, but for some the brawl still replays in their minds as if it was just yesterday. The players involved have gone to trial and been given their punishments, and everyone involved has moved on.

The only reference we will still hear regarding the brawl is what might have been for the championship-contending Indiana Pacers last season. This year, the Pacers are pretty much where they were before last year?s November 19th, 2004 game against the Pistons. They are 4-3, seven games into the season, and looking like contenders for the NBA title. The only difference - there will be no more brawling in the stands for Indiana.

There won?t even be a Pacer game November 19th, 2005. Probably a good decision by NBA Schedulers.

Can you believe 145 words into this column I have yet to mention Ron Artest. Artest has been a model citizen, and has kept his fragile emotions in check. But the Pacers? ninth game of the season is against the Houston Rockets, hardly the rivalry the Pacers share with the Pistons.

So far this season Artest is averaging 22.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 2.4 steals per game. And in case you were wondering, zero technical and flagrant fouls. Artest has come back stronger than ever. He stands 6?7? and weighs 252 pounds. In comparison Pacer Legend Reggie Miller stands at 6?7?, but weighs about 180 pounds.

The Queensbridge, New York native, who turned 26 on Sunday, has vowed to play with the same intensity he always has always brought to the court. The question on most people?s minds is whether Artest can remain on the court. His actions last November at The Palace of Auburn Hills still drew media attention this off-season. Over the past month he has graced the cover of Sports Illustrated and Penthouse. If Artest can channel his intensity into his play, he will be making headlines for that rather than for his felonies.

Pacers CEO Donnie Walsh told the Indianapolis Star, ?He?s got the ability to be the kind of player who, if he goes through this year in the right way, they?ll be putting him on covers for what he does rather than what he did.? Whether Artest will play the right way all season is not a new question. Artest?s behavior has been debated heavily over the past few seasons. Even before last season?s 73-game suspension Artest, had a history of misbehaving. Just weeks before the infamous brawl. He was benched for two games by Rick Carlisle after asking for time off to promote a rap album.

During the 2003-2004 season, in which the Pacers won 61 games and made a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals, Artest was suspended twice ?for elbowing Portland?s Derek Anderson, and for leaving the bench during a fight between the Pacers and the Celtics. His history of bad behavior doesn?t end there. In 2002-2003 Artest was suspended five times by the league and once by Indiana for a total of 12 games. Also, in 2001-2002 he was suspended following a Pacer loss to the Knicks after he tossed a television camera in frustration.

Ron realizes that he has been given several chances in his short career. Artest told the Indianapolis Star, ?I have to make sure I stay focused on my team, I had a problem with that a couple of years ago.? Many people around the NBA and among the media feel that he has already been given too many chances.

Therefore, now more than ever, EVERYTHING Ron does will be judged.

His first technical foul will be front page news, and his first flagrant foul might even warrant a one-game suspension because of his track record. So Ron needs to watch every single move he makes.

Of course, Ron wasn?t the only Pacer whose season changed after November the 19th. Both Jermaine O?Neal and Stephen Jackson were also suspended for their actions that night. O?Neal returned after his reduced 15-game ban and played well up until a shoulder injury in March. O?Neal returned after a short stint on the injured list, and helped led Indiana to an improbable playoff run.

O?Neal is now back at full strength, and ready to become the new face of the Indiana Pacers. Jackson served his suspension and returned in January against the Celtics. He played well, and helped O?Neal lead Indiana to the post season. Jackson entered this season as the teams? new starting shooting guard ? he became the first player since Miller to hold that position.

Both O?Neal and Jackson were model NBA citizens before their actions in Detroit last year. Therefore, there is much less doubt about their behavior this season than there is about Artest?s. Ron?s return to the court is one of the league?s top stories, and it will continue to be until he screws up. Or he leads Indiana to the Promised Land.