The foul was excessive, my proof is it being called a flagrant 1. If it wasn't then it would have been a simple foul. Ron Artest went after the ball and followed through. Go fire up the TiVO.
and: westkoast
As soon as I they put up video ill be glad to. What he did was excessive contact especially at that point in the game. The referees themselves explained to Ron Artest the reason for that call and he agreed. If that isn't evidence enough the contact was excessive I don't know what is.
and last but not least:
Though it is your style to completely ignore proof and spin like a top.
Word for word from the NBA rulebook:
"Section IV--Flagrant Foul
a. If contact committed against a player, with or without the ball, is interpreted to be unnecessary, a flagrant foul--penalty
(1) will be assessed.
b. If contact committed against a player, with or without the ball, is interpret-ed to be unnecessary and
excessive, a flagrant foul--penalty
(2) will be assessed."