Friday's Pistons-Pacers melee will go down in NBA history as one of its lowest moments. Right there with Kermit Washington-Rudy Tomjanovich. Or Vernon Maxwell going into the crowd to punch out a fan. Or the Alonzo Mourning-Larry Johnson brawls.

The NBA needs to do several things in the wake of Friday's scary and disgraceful scene at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

First, it needs to issue lengthy suspensions to Ben Wallace, Ron Artest, Stephen Jackson and any other player who played a role in the imbroglio. Yes, the Detroit fans were the real culprits. But players cannot go into the crowd no matter how much they are provoked. Period.

Second, it needs to work with law enforcement authorities to identify and prosecute the fans involved. With all the TV cameras and season-ticket holders, it should be possible to round up the culprits. Then the league should use its battery of high-powered sharpie attorneys to make sure they get the maximum penalty.

Third, it needs to shore up its security behind the bench. Maybe it means fewer high-priced seats sold, but if that's the cost for keeping peace so be it. There should be a security presence behind the bench to shut up any loudmouth coward who is causing trouble. There are bad fans in every city, and they need to be kept away from the players.

Fourth, it needs to have a talk with Pistons ownership. Late Friday night Pistons CEO Tom Wilson went on TV and basically blamed Artest for causing the riot by lying on the scorer's table close to the crowd instead of standing on the floor. What kind of corporate PR nonsense is that? Referee Tommy Nunez Jr. was standing on the floor -- and he got hit in the head with a bottle.

The Pistons organization needs to admit their fans caused it by acting like hooligans. It wasn't just a few loudmouths behind the bench either. As Artest was escorted off the floor far away from the scene behind the bench, he was still getting nailed with a barrage of beer cups and garbage. Other fans were literally running to the railings to dump beer and popcorn on the Pacers players as they were exiting the aisles. It's all there on the videotape if the Detroit brass has the guts to look at it.

Unfortunately for the NBA, they'll be seeing footage of this disaster repeatedly and for a long time in the coming days. It's a stain on the league. It will reinforce perceptions by many casual fans that the sport is full of jerks and thugs.

The NBA can survive it because the sport of basketball is so great. But they need to take swift action and send a message. David Stern, the ball is in your court.

Marty Burns covers pro basketball for SI.com.