mollyfamwatThe NBA is notorious for its lack of fan safety, specifically as it pertains to the treatment of players. Players are not allowed to defend themselves, which leads to players being “spat on, hit, spit on, choked, and anything else you can think of”, as Westbrook described it.
Russell Westbrook is complaining. The NBA has been good to him, with a new contract, countless endorsements, the All-Star Game and other awards. But he isn’t happy about the way he’s been treated by fans.
This week, after the Sacramento Kings lost to the New Orleans Pelicans, the fans of the team demonstrated by hurling things at players and Kings employees, and by harassing the players at the team’s arena.. Read more about russell westbrook news and let us know what you think.A fan attending an NBA playoff game in Philadelphia Wednesday night threw popcorn at Washington Wizards star Russell Westbrook as he left the court after injuring his right ankle, angering Westbrook and leading to outrage among the players.
Westbrook had to be restrained by several Wizards employees and stadium security guards as he stumbled through the tunnel after spraining his ankle 10 minutes into the game during the Philadelphia 76ers’ 120-95 Game 2 victory.
A few minutes later, the fan was turned away by security.
To be perfectly honest, this shit is getting out of hand, especially for me. The amount of disrespect, the amount of fans just doing what they want – it’s just not sustainable, Westbrook said. There are things that don’t add up. In any other environment… If someone threw popcorn at my head, you know what would happen.
In arenas like this, you have to start by protecting the players. Let’s see what the NBA does.
Teammate Bradley Beal called the incident disgusting, and Wizards coach Scott Brooks said the man should be expelled from the league.
Very disrespectful. Philadelphia is better than that, Brooks said.
Valerie Camillo, president of operations at the Wells Fargo Center, issued a statement shortly after the game, saying: This was inexcusable, unacceptable behavior, and we will not tolerate it at the Wells Fargo Center. We pride ourselves on having the most passionate fans in the country and the best home court advantage, but this kind of behavior has no place in our arena.
Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James reacted to the situation on Twitter, writing: By the way, WE THE PLAYERS want to know who threw the popcorn at Russ when he left tonight’s game with an injury !!!! There are cameras everywhere in the arena, so there are no excuses! Because if the shoe were on the other foot.
He pinned the hashtag #ProtectOurPlayers.
By the way, WE THE PLAYERS want to know who was throwing popcorn at Russ when he left today’s game with an injury !!!! There are cameras everywhere in the arena, so there are no excuses! Because if he was on the other side. #ProtectOurPlayers
– LeBron James (@KingJames) May 27, 2021
Four years ago in Philadelphia, a fan sitting on the sidelines was suspended for bumping into Westbrook. In 2019, a Utah fan was banned for life from the Vivint Smart Home Arena after getting into a verbal altercation with Westbrook while sitting on the Oklahoma City Thunder’s bench.
For me, there are a lot of incidents where fans say what they want, and the consequences for me are much greater than for the fans in the stands, because they think they are untouchable, Westbrook said. When people throw food at me, it’s just crazy.
Of course, I’ve learned to overcome that. But to a certain extent, you can’t just look away. There should be fines or something, so fans can’t come to games and do and say whatever they want.
I really take it to heart. I’m tired of doing the same thing over and over again. Nothing changes for me. It’s only going to get worse.
Wednesday was not the first time a Wizards point guard faced a Philadelphia fan.
In 2019, then-Wizzards guard Isaiah Thomas was taken off the field late in the fourth quarter of a loss at the Wells Fargo Center after he walked into the stands and had a verbal altercation with a fan. Thomas says the fan raised both middle fingers and said three times: F—du, b——. When the Wizards called a timeout with 2:53 remaining in the game, Thomas said he went to the stands to confront him.
Westbrook did not return to action Wednesday night after spraining his right ankle when he stepped on the foot of 76ers quarterback Furkan Korkmaz. Westbrook injured the same ankle in the third quarter when he defended 76ers guard Ben Simmons in the post and fell to the ground.
Westbrook had a below average performance, going 2 for 10 and 10 points, 11 assists and 6 rebounds. The 76ers are 2-0 in the first round of the playoffs.
Westbrook’s status for Game 3 on Saturday in Washington has yet to be determined.
ESPN contributor Om Youngmisuk contributed to this report.
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