Grantland published a comprehensive oral history of the so-called Malice In The Palace brawl today.

The best moment comes after the melee, when Ron Artest asks his teammate Stephen Jackson, “Jack, you think we going to get in trouble?”

They did indeed get in trouble for taking part in the ugliest brawl in NBA history.

Artest was suspended for the remainder of the season (86 total games), Jackson was suspended for 30 games, and both were charged with misdemeanor assault.

Quick refresher: Artest incited a wild melee after a fan threw a beer at him at the end of a Pacers-Pistons game in Detroit in 2004. Indiana players and coaches were fighting fans, and the incident left a bunch of people injured and bloodied.

The quote can be read a few ways:

It displays an utter lack of self-awareness that probably explains how the brawl happened in the first place.

It shows that the players legitimately saw the brawl as an act of self-defense against an angry mob of fans. They never expected to be vilified and punished as if they were the ones who started it.

It shows that Ron Artest deploys a hilarious brand a dry humor that often goes undetected.

The melee not only created dramatic moments on the field, but also caused the entire squad to face difficult situations. Artest, with his optimistic and humorous personality, adopted a unique approach to relieve stress. His words were not just a question, but also a way for his teammates to understand that in the most difficult situations, solidarity and support are the keys to overcoming.

This melee could be a challenge for every team, but Ron Artest’s words show optimism and strong team spirit. Perhaps, in those moments, he reminded everyone that when united to overcome all difficulties, success will come.