Ron Artest and Stephen Jackson were each suspended for the first seven games new season without pay by the National Basketball Association on Saturday for their most recent legal problems.

Jackson of the Golden State Warriors pleaded guilty last month to a felony count of criminal recklessness for firing a gun outside an Indiana strip club last fall, when he was with the Pacers. He was ordered to pay a 5,000 dollar (3,600 Euro) fine and perform 100 hours of community service.

Artest of the Sacramento Kings pleaded no contest in May to a misdemeanor domestic violence charge stemming from a March 5 dispute with his wife, the latest in a string of off-court problems.

Placer County Superior Court Judge Francis Kearney sentenced Artest to 100 hours of community service and a 10-day work project through the county sheriff's department. Artest also was fined 600 dollar (435 euro) and ordered to get extensive counseling.

Artest and Jackson were Pacers' teammates in November 2004 when they were involved in a brawl with fans during a game against the Detroit Pistons. Artest was suspended for 73 games and the playoffs, the NBA's harshest punishment for a fight and Jackson was suspended for 30 games.

(Xinhua News Agency July 16, 2007)