sentences:  Commentators, and those familiar with the event outside the sports media, were divided over the issues of who should primarily be blamed for the incident.Anger and blame was placed on the players, at NBA Union Chief Billy Hunter, who protested the length of suspensions, the fans who sparked the melee and the referees who did not put a stop to it.Some in the media viewed the brawl as a statement on the disconnect between white fans and black players.