Deplorable incidents involving spectators have been plentiful since the start of the NBA playoffs. And we’re only in the first round.
Offensive words, thrown food, spitting … We are far from trash-talk usual which is not really offensive. The players are cowardly targeted by opposing supporters who think they can do anything.
Unless I’m mistaken, the league hasn’t held a contest to determine the biggest asshole among its loyalists. If that had been the case, several champions would be in contention.
Here are six reprehensible acts that have been committed by ticket holders in recent days.
Wizards vs 76ers : l’incident du pop corn
In Game 2 of the Philadelphia-Washington Series, Russell Westbrook was retreating in the locker room with a limp when a 76ers fan threw popcorn at him.
The Wizards guard saw red. They must have joined forces to prevent him from doing himself justice.
Russell Westbrook was leaving the floor with an injury when a fan dumped popcorn on him.
?: @BleacherReport pic.twitter.com/ky5ILXKHFM
— USA TODAY NBA (@usatodaynba) May 27, 2021
Hawks vs Knicks : le crachat
A Knicks fan has been banned for life from Madison Square Garden for spitting at star player Trae Young.
It happened during the duel presented in NY on May 26th. There are some who do not know how to receive.
Everyone is talking about the Sixers fan dumping popcorn on Westbrook, but let’s not ignore the Knicks fan spitting on Trae Young pic.twitter.com/HWioRIs8Al
– Guru (@DrGuru_) May 27, 2021
Celtics vs Nets: The Lethal Weapon (One Water Bottle)
On May 30, someone attending Game 4 of the Celtics-Nets clash breached judgment by throwing a water bottle at Kyrie Irving.
The Brooklyn color-bearer was not injured. However, according to USA Today, the suspected Celtics fan was arrested and subsequently charged with assault and bodily harm with a lethal weapon (by definition, an instrument capable of causing serious injury or death).
A fan threw a water bottle at Kyrie Irving as he and his teammates were exiting the game. They were not thrilled about it.
?ﾸﾏ: @YESNetwork #NBAPlayoffs #NBATwitter #TheJump pic.twitter.com/UTk27a43kB
— The Jump on ESPN (@NBATheJump) May 31, 2021
76ers vs Wizards: the odd one out on the court
At the Washington home, a weirdo made sure to grab attention by running down the court in the heat of the moment Monday night in the fourth clash between the Sixers and the Wizards.
After collecting several yards, he was gently tackled to the ground. He too will have to face justice.
The backboard cam view pic.twitter.com/mmnSev2i7c
— CJ Fogler #BlackLivesMatter (@cjzero) June 1, 2021
Grizzlies vs Jazz: racial slurs
During the second meeting of the Grizzlies-Jazz series, Ja Morant’s family was harassed by opposing supporters. Racist and sexist slurs have been desecrated.
Three individuals were evicted from the amphitheater.
JA Morant’s dad says 3 banned Jazz fans made lewd, racist comments during Game 2#NBAPlayoffs #NBATwitter #TheJump https://t.co/PlAVYfvY08 pic.twitter.com/uwGjjUQPZ5
— The Jump on ESPN (@NBATheJump) May 28, 2021
Hawks vs Knicks : la bière
During the evening where Trae Young received a saliva sample, Immanuel Quickley was also sprayed with an unwanted substance.
In his case, it was beer. The person responsible was identified and then escorted to the door.
Immanuel Quickley says someone threw a beer at him in Game 2 at MSG: “Not sure why, not even sure who did it, but it happened. I guess that’s part of having fans in the game.”
(via @SBondyNYDN) pic.twitter.com/b01aQEVKhN
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 31, 2021
Refilling the stands might not have been such a good idea after all.
Without farce, these blatant disrespect may be isolated, but they cast a great shadow on the NBA and its fans. Besides, the players are not at all happy – and with good reason.
By the way WE AS THE PLAYERS wanna see who threw that popcorn on Russ while he was leaving the game tonight with a injury!! There’s cameras all over arenas so there’s no excuse! Cause if the ? was on the other ?ﾟﾏﾾ.? #ProtectOurPlayers
– LeBron James (@KingJames) May 27, 2021
« Grow the f*ck up and enjoy the game. It’s bigger than you. »
– Kevin Durant’s message to the fans
(h/t MattBrooksNBA ) pic.twitter.com/GutUGJG1bK— NBA Central (@TheNBACentral) May 31, 2021
(Sources : ForTheWin, @DrGuru_/Twitter, @NBATheJump/Twitter, @BleacherReport/Twitter)
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