It appears Russell Westbrook having popcorn poured on him wasn’t the only fan encounter with a Washington Wizards player during Wednesday’s Game 2 against the Philadelphia 76ers. Bradley Beal said a Sixers fan said something “crazy” to him with his two kids sitting right next to the fan, per Chase Hughes of NBC Sports.
Fans being back in NBA arenas as the playoffs are underway is a huge plus for the league. However, there seems to be times when overzealous fans let their emotion get the best of them and words and actions become disrespectful.
That was the case involving Westbrook. After sustaining an ankle injury in the fourth quarter of a 120-95 76ers’ win, the Wizards star limped off the court towards the locker room. Unfortunately, just as he was about to enter the tunnel, a fan poured popcorn on him.
Surely, an angered Westbrook reacted but had to be held back by security. Beal’s incident was less subtle and while it was just words, fans have to be careful not cross the line. By Beal’s accounts that’s exactly what the fan did. What makes the situation worse it was right in front of his two young sons.
NBA players are expected to act professional and cordial no matter the extent of the barrage against them. Westbrook said after the game, the NBA has to do something to protect the players.
