Nine-time NBA All-Star Russell Westbrook is a fierce competitor on the court. With a motor that won't quit and a gritty style of play, he's one of the toughest matchups in the league. Simply put, he doesn't take any flak, as several fans have learned over the years.
In this piece, we'll take a look back at several of the altercations that Westbrook had with fans over the course of his career. Some were verbal, while others were physical.
Rockets-Sixers
It was January 3, and the Rockets were facing the Philadelphia 76ers. According to several reports, a Sixers fan called Westbrook a “joke.”
Russell Westbrook asked his bodyguard to speak with security about the fan, and after a case of wrongful identification, the real heckler was eventually ejected.
Rockets-Timberwolves
In another January game from this season, Westbrook and the Rockets were in Minnesota for a matchup against the Timberwolves. During the first half, Russell complained to a security guard about a heckling fan who was seated courtside.
The fan was not asked to leave, and it's not clear what was said, but he did receive a warning:
Russell Westbrook appeared to speak to a security guard about a fan sitting courtside. pic.twitter.com/DpZB6Twtbj
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 25, 2020
Jazz-Thunder (2019)
In March of 2019, a Utah Jazz fan provoked Russell Westbrook into a verbal dispute. Russell later noted that the fan — identified as Shane Keisel — was hurling racial slurs in his direction during the game.
The fan, who reportedly told Westbrook to “Get down on your knees like you’re used to,” would later claim that he did not use racial remarks. However, several Thunder players went on to back Russell's stance. In the heat of the moment, though, the former UCLA standout fired off a few heated comments of his own.
“I swear to God, I’ll f*ck you up,” Russell Westbrook shouted in a tirade captured on cell phone video. “You and your wife, I’ll f*ck you up.”
The NBA fined Westbrook $25,000 for his outburst, and Vivint Smart Arena, where the Jazz play, banned Keisel for life.
Russell Westbrook says the comment from the Jazz fan that set him off was: “Get down on your knees like you’re used to.” pic.twitter.com/i0vIlblSwJ
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) March 12, 2019
Thunder-Jazz (2018 Playoffs)
Russell Westbrook and the Thunder were matched up against the Jazz in the first round of the 2018 Western Conference Playoffs. Ultimately, Utah went on to eliminate Oklahoma City, 4-2.
While making his way off the court following Game 6, Westbrook swatted at the phone of a fan who was stood near the tunnel. Russ had 46 points that night, but he was clearly frustrated.
Thunder-Mavs (2016)
While playing the Mavs in 2016, Westbrook let a fan who was seated near the bench know that he was not part of the conversation.
“I'm not even talking to you, bro,” Westbrook said to the fan as his Thunder teammates huddled during a timeout. “Shut the f*ck up.”
Thunder-Sixers (2016)
In the first quarter of a 2016 game against the Sixers, Westbrook converted on an and-one in transition, then flexed in front of the crowd near the baseline. One fan took exception and fired back with a gesture of his own — two middle fingers.
Thunder-Clippers (2014)
In a 2014 matchup against the Clippers, Westbrook appeared to suffer an injury, which forced him to head towards the locker room for an evaluation. As he was walking through the tunnel, a fan said something that caught his attention:
Thunder-Nuggets (2018)
Though he's a hound on both ends of the court, Westbrook isn't always the aggressor when it comes to fan altercations.
It was February 2, 2018, and Oklahoma City had just lost a tight game to Denver. After the final horn blew, a hyped up Nuggets fan somehow made his way onto the court and positioned himself directly in Westbrook's path.
Russell Westbrook kept his cool, for the most part, but he did shove the fan out of his way:
Some feel that Westbrook needs to clean up his act, but there is also something to be said about fan etiquette (and the lack thereof). Fans at NBA games have the opportunity to sit closer to players than in any other professional sporting event, but that doesn't give them the right to act on their emotions.
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