[ad_1]
After one other thrilling night of NBA playoff motion, the most important piece of reports on Thursday morning wasn’t a few particular play, however was as a substitute about a second throughout one of many video games that did not contain basketball in any respect.
Russell Westbrook of the Washington Wizards had popcorn dumped on him by a Philadelphia 76ers fan whereas he was strolling by way of the tunnel within the 4th quarter of Recreation 2. Westbrook had injured his ankle and was headed to the locker room when it occurred, however needed to be held again by a number of staff staffers and safety personnel.
Westbrook did not find yourself attending to confront the fan, who was ejected from the Wells Fargo Heart, however he was clearly and understandably sad after the sport.
“This s*** is out of hand,” Westbrook mentioned. … “I wouldn’t come as much as me on the road and throw popcorn on my head, as a result of you realize what occurs. … In these arenas, you gotta begin defending the gamers. We’ll see what the NBA does.”
LeBron James, different gamers help Westbrook
Westbrook wasn’t the one one sad concerning the incident. Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James tweeted his help for Westbrook and included the hashtag #ProtectOurPlayers.
Westbrook’s teammate Daniel Gafford backed up LeBron’s feedback.
Lately retired WNBA participant Renee Montgomery, who’s now part-owner and vice chairman of the Atlanta Dream, additionally tweeted concerning the incident, and so did Cameron Reynolds of the Houston Rockets and Chimezie Metu of the Sacramento Kings.
Metta Sandiford-Artest understands Westbrook’s anger
One one that undoubtedly is aware of how Westbrook is feeling is Metta Sandiford-Artest. He was often called Ron Artest in 2004 when he earned an 86-game suspension for charging into the stands and punching a fan who had thrown a drink at him. “Malice on the Palace” stays probably the most notorious brawls in NBA historical past, and Sandiford-Artest instructed USA In the present day that he was undoubtedly excited about that whereas he was watching the popcorn incident unfold.
“I felt like I used to be going to run into the stands,” Sandiford-Artest mentioned on Wednesday night time. “It shook me up slightly bit.”
He was glad that the Wells Fargo Heart had safety round to basically save Westbrook from himself.
“How do you throw popcorn on a participant?” Sandiford-Artest mentioned. “Westbrook was pissed, and he had the best to be pissed. However I’m so completely satisfied that he was round individuals. Safety was unbelievable.”
For Sandiford-Artest, followers throwing concessions is extra about respect than it’s about any potential hazard — particularly in Westbrook’s case.
“Popcorn doesn’t damage, however that’s actually disrespectful. The issue is an athlete at that cut-off date is concentrated on the sport,” Sandiford-Artest mentioned.
“You may’t throw stuff once you’re watching individuals carry out. You may’t throw stuff at anyone. It doesn’t matter the place you’re at.”
Sandiford-Artest mentioned that now he is on good phrases with the fan he punched, however he is aware of that form of relationship can solely begin with an apology.
“That man must go on nationwide TV and apologize to Westbrook,” Sandiford-Artest mentioned. “I wouldn’t take away his tickets, to inform you the reality. Have his ass come to area. He must apologize.”
Extra from Yahoo Sports activities:
[ad_2]
supply