How many 40 stitches to the dome plays have you seen in the history of the NBA? That was not a basketball play. He was mad at Isiah for dropping 44 points on Stockton (and him) in the last game. Trying to send a message by making a "highly aggressive play" is the definition of premeditated.

I know everyone hates the Pistons, but 40 stitches is 40 stitches. At the time NBA vice president of operations Rod Thorn called the incident "the worst foul he's seen". Just got to call it bad both ways, Malone's and Webber's, and this was worse.