Russell Westbrook does not tolerate disrespect from fans, other NBA players, or the media, something he has made obvious throughout his career.
This stance was on full display during the Los Angeles Clippers’ recent game against the Denver Nuggets as the Clippers guard appeared to get into a back-and-forth shouting match with a fan near half-court, according to Sports Illustrated.
Following the game, Westbrook explained his actions: “It’s unfortunate, fans think they can get away with saying whatever they want, and personally, I won’t allow it. I took a lot of people saying anything and, you know, getting away with it, but I won’t stand for it.”
Westbrook did not reveal what the fan said to him but indicated that he wouldn’t repeat it because it wasn’t appropriate to say during the locker room chat with local and national sports reporters.
In 2019, while a member of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Westbrook got into a verbal altercation with a fan while playing against the Utah Jazz at the Vivint Arena in Utah. The NBA fined Westbrook $25,000 for “directing profanity and threatening language to a fan,” The Guardian
reported. The fan, whom the Utah Jazz described as engaging in “excessive and derogatory verbal abuse” toward Westbrook, was banned for life from all arena events.Westbrook allegedly told the man, “I promise you. You think I’m playing. I swear to God, I swear to God, I’ll fuck you up. You and your wife, I’ll fuck you up.”
After that game four years ago, Westbrook was more thoughtful about fan interactions, telling reporters, “There’s got to be something done,” Westbrook said. “There’s got to be some consequences for those type of people that come to the game just to say and do whatever they want to say. I don’t think it’s fair to the players.”
Fans have recently been at the center of several stories, such as during a San Antonio Spurs game, also against the Clippers. Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich reached over and grabbed the PA microphone to tell his team’s fans to stop booing Kawhi Leonard every time he touched the ball. Popovich said he thought it showed a lack of class. After the game, the elder statesman of NBA coaches addressed the media about the incident.
“Anybody that knows anything about sports, you don’t poke the bear,” he said, failing to clarify.
RELATED CONTENT: Russell Westbrook Pulls Up To Pensole Lewis College To Inspire Design Students