Yes, Russell Westbrook is a hothead. Yes, he can be oversensitive. And, of course, Westbrook was wrong in the manner he responded to the fan in Utah. But, I empathize.
It is well known by now last night Oklahoma City Thunder point guard, Russell Westbrook, was involved in a verbal altercation with a fan in Salt Lake City during a game versus the Utah Jazz.
Westbrook was seen on video saying to a fan, "I'll fuck you up. You and your wife."
After the game Russ explained (in his defense) that the fan said to him, "Get on your knees like you're used to." Westbrook went on to say the fan's wife repeated the statement, which is what precipitated him to go on a profanity laced tirade which featured the aforementioned comment directed toward the fan and his wife.
The fan, who was ejected from the game, said later that he said to Westbrook (which was not caught on video), "Ice your knee...Sit down and ice your knee." He (the fan) further added that Westbrook, whom he said was "one of the game's greats" gratuitously dropped f-bombs toward him and had no business threatening a woman and the fact he did showed he was "classless".
Sounds pretty bad for Westbrook, huh? He seems to be coming across as an ass, right? Well, not so fast. Most incidents have context, and this one is no different.
The identity of the fan was discovered. This discovery led to research of his social media which revealed a pretty virulent disdain for Westbrook specifically and a disgusting vitriolic racism toward African-Americans. I know. Shocking, right?!
So, what began to become apparent is it's likely this fan had an agenda when he arrived for the game. It was also becoming obvious that Westbrook's side of the story likely carried more weight than his.
This actually bore itself out to be true when this afternoon the Jazz announced the fan, whose name I will not mention because he deserves no credible attention, was banned for life from not only Utah Jazz games but also from any event at the arena. The Jazz said after reviewing the tape and assessing eye witness accounts the fan was verbally abusive and vulgar toward Westbrook.
Now, does this vindicate Russ? Well, yes and no.
Let me be clear. Russ' reaction was completely wrong; however, it was understandable. But, Russ' side of the story was validated.
This incident highlights why I love sports but I loathe fans. Unfortunately, way too many people believe because they pay for tickets, concessions and parking it entitles them to behave in any way they want. They really believe that admission grants them impunity to say whatever they want. Also, some fans are convinced they "pay these guys salaries" which means the players are obligated to silently take their shit.
This is simply not true. In fact, the argument is specious and delusional.
Of course, heckling is apart of the fan experience. Some players and coaches actually enjoy it. Y'all remember the dude in Washington D.C. who was infamous for his heckling especially of Michael Jordan? Old schoolers like me will never forget when he read passages from "Jordan Rules" to Jordan while he rested on the bench.
However, while heckling can be entertaining (even if it might be annoying to some players), abuse is not acceptable. Bringing families and kids into it is not cool. Saying inappropriate shit with possible racial overtones like, "Get on your knees like you're used to" crosses the line and is worthy of an ass whoopin!
Now, I'm not advocating players should physically assault fans but these guys are only human. As Chris Rock once said, "Nobody is above an ass whoppin. Doesn't mean you should do it. Shit, there's a reason to push an old man down the stairs if he says the wrong thing. You just shouldn't do it."
And, again, I'm not condoning what Russ said. When he responded to this jackass he didn't know about this dude's social media and racism. However, this dude's social media and racism gives context to not only what he said but likely the tone and tenor he employed when he made the comment. So, when Russell heard the fool he easily could've discerned the spirit the comment was made in.
And, it's unquestionable when you couple the fan's social media with his, shall we say, disingenuous tone in the post game comments his intent was apparent, if not blatantly obvious.
And, I heard this nonsensical half-assed defense today from Doug Gottlieb (whom I like), which I am sure others also employed, that we "aren't sure the tweets are his". STFU! Yes we are!
The dude said the reporting of his social media was "fake news" but he offered no assertions that the Twitter and Facebook accounts linked to the comments weren't his. In fact, he took down his social media accounts and then later put them back up with the same garbage posts. Besides, his utilization of the term "fake news" says everything I need to know about this asshat.
Oh, and can we please address the elephant in the room, which to be fair to Gottlieb, he rightfully acknowledged. Utah has a reputation for having more than the usual quota of racist fans. Like Boston, it's a well earned reputation based upon empirical evidence.
Also, this is not the first incident in Salt Lake City Russ has endured. And, it's not even close to an isolated incident with NBA players.
Truth is such incidents occur far too often across the sports landscape. Whether it's racism or lewdness or evoking of family members way too many fans feel entitled and emboldened to take their heckling next level and into the gutter. It is disgusting.
And, quite frankly, it is ideal to expect the athletes and coaches to stay above the fray. But, it's not realistic.
As Charles Barkley once said in an interview with Bob Costas, "I am an athlete, but I am a human first." It's unrealistic to except anything more. However, it's not unrealistic to except fans to be humans first before trolls.
It is well known by now last night Oklahoma City Thunder point guard, Russell Westbrook, was involved in a verbal altercation with a fan in Salt Lake City during a game versus the Utah Jazz.
Westbrook was seen on video saying to a fan, "I'll fuck you up. You and your wife."
After the game Russ explained (in his defense) that the fan said to him, "Get on your knees like you're used to." Westbrook went on to say the fan's wife repeated the statement, which is what precipitated him to go on a profanity laced tirade which featured the aforementioned comment directed toward the fan and his wife.
The fan, who was ejected from the game, said later that he said to Westbrook (which was not caught on video), "Ice your knee...Sit down and ice your knee." He (the fan) further added that Westbrook, whom he said was "one of the game's greats" gratuitously dropped f-bombs toward him and had no business threatening a woman and the fact he did showed he was "classless".
Sounds pretty bad for Westbrook, huh? He seems to be coming across as an ass, right? Well, not so fast. Most incidents have context, and this one is no different.
The identity of the fan was discovered. This discovery led to research of his social media which revealed a pretty virulent disdain for Westbrook specifically and a disgusting vitriolic racism toward African-Americans. I know. Shocking, right?!
So, what began to become apparent is it's likely this fan had an agenda when he arrived for the game. It was also becoming obvious that Westbrook's side of the story likely carried more weight than his.
This actually bore itself out to be true when this afternoon the Jazz announced the fan, whose name I will not mention because he deserves no credible attention, was banned for life from not only Utah Jazz games but also from any event at the arena. The Jazz said after reviewing the tape and assessing eye witness accounts the fan was verbally abusive and vulgar toward Westbrook.
Now, does this vindicate Russ? Well, yes and no.
Let me be clear. Russ' reaction was completely wrong; however, it was understandable. But, Russ' side of the story was validated.
This incident highlights why I love sports but I loathe fans. Unfortunately, way too many people believe because they pay for tickets, concessions and parking it entitles them to behave in any way they want. They really believe that admission grants them impunity to say whatever they want. Also, some fans are convinced they "pay these guys salaries" which means the players are obligated to silently take their shit.
This is simply not true. In fact, the argument is specious and delusional.
Of course, heckling is apart of the fan experience. Some players and coaches actually enjoy it. Y'all remember the dude in Washington D.C. who was infamous for his heckling especially of Michael Jordan? Old schoolers like me will never forget when he read passages from "Jordan Rules" to Jordan while he rested on the bench.
However, while heckling can be entertaining (even if it might be annoying to some players), abuse is not acceptable. Bringing families and kids into it is not cool. Saying inappropriate shit with possible racial overtones like, "Get on your knees like you're used to" crosses the line and is worthy of an ass whoopin!
Now, I'm not advocating players should physically assault fans but these guys are only human. As Chris Rock once said, "Nobody is above an ass whoppin. Doesn't mean you should do it. Shit, there's a reason to push an old man down the stairs if he says the wrong thing. You just shouldn't do it."
And, again, I'm not condoning what Russ said. When he responded to this jackass he didn't know about this dude's social media and racism. However, this dude's social media and racism gives context to not only what he said but likely the tone and tenor he employed when he made the comment. So, when Russell heard the fool he easily could've discerned the spirit the comment was made in.
And, it's unquestionable when you couple the fan's social media with his, shall we say, disingenuous tone in the post game comments his intent was apparent, if not blatantly obvious.
And, I heard this nonsensical half-assed defense today from Doug Gottlieb (whom I like), which I am sure others also employed, that we "aren't sure the tweets are his". STFU! Yes we are!
The dude said the reporting of his social media was "fake news" but he offered no assertions that the Twitter and Facebook accounts linked to the comments weren't his. In fact, he took down his social media accounts and then later put them back up with the same garbage posts. Besides, his utilization of the term "fake news" says everything I need to know about this asshat.
Oh, and can we please address the elephant in the room, which to be fair to Gottlieb, he rightfully acknowledged. Utah has a reputation for having more than the usual quota of racist fans. Like Boston, it's a well earned reputation based upon empirical evidence.
Also, this is not the first incident in Salt Lake City Russ has endured. And, it's not even close to an isolated incident with NBA players.
Truth is such incidents occur far too often across the sports landscape. Whether it's racism or lewdness or evoking of family members way too many fans feel entitled and emboldened to take their heckling next level and into the gutter. It is disgusting.
And, quite frankly, it is ideal to expect the athletes and coaches to stay above the fray. But, it's not realistic.
As Charles Barkley once said in an interview with Bob Costas, "I am an athlete, but I am a human first." It's unrealistic to except anything more. However, it's not unrealistic to except fans to be humans first before trolls.
