Boston Celtics star point guard Kyrie Irving is glad Oklahoma City Thunder star guard Russell Westbrook is okay after what happened to the former MVP on Monday in Utah.
A Jazz fan told Westbrook to “Get on your knees like you're used to.” Westbrook went back at the fan with a profanity-laced rant and the video went viral.
Utah banned the fan for life from attending games the next day. Westbrook, meanwhile, was fined $25,000 by the NBA for his actions.
Kyrie Irving, speaking to reporters about the incident on Thursday after the Celtics defeated the Sacramento Kings at home, says he's heard racial taunts in Utah and other cities he's played in.
Kyrie on whether he's heard something racial from the crowd: "I've heard it all, man. Utah, Phoenix, California, wherever you want to go, fans are going to be passionate about their teams. But that's just taking it to far. And then … in Utah the fans are right on top of you."
— Jay King (@ByJayKing) March 15, 2019
More Kyrie on the Westbrook incident: "I don't really mind the fan interaction, but not while I'm at work and you're trying to get me to go. Let me come to your office and yell in your ear like that."
— Jay King (@ByJayKing) March 15, 2019
The Jazz did the right thing by banning the fan for life from the stadium. Although the fans in Utah have a history of saying bad things to players, not every Jazz fan is going to say harmful things like that.
Uncle Drew is right in the sense that fans are going to be passionate, but what the fan on Monday said to Russell Westbrook was way over the line. At the end of the day, we are all humans and should treat each other with kindness.
One would surmise the security at Jazz games is going to be more heavy now.
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