“It’s not a circus”: NBA fans are back in the stands and behaving badly
Jun 1, 2021, 10:03 AM
(File photo: Getty Images)
(File photo: Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY — Fans are filling the seats in stadiums around the world again but for the NBA Playoffs, it seems to be bringing out bad behavior from fans in the stands.
Fans behaving badly
A fan ran onto the court during the third quarter of Game 4 between Washington and Philadelphia on Monday and was tackled by security. Reports say he will be banned and could face charges.
A fan attempted to run on the court in the middle of Game 4 between the Sixers-Wizards pic.twitter.com/51pdBKOxwh
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 1, 2021
A fan threw a bottle in the Nets Celtics game on Sunday and narrowly missed Kyrie Irving’s head. That fan was removed from the arena and arrested by Boston Police.
A fan was arrested in Boston on Sunday for throwing a bottle at Brooklyn Nets player Kyrie Irving, following the visiting team’s win over the Celtics.
“(It’s) just underlying racism, and treating people like they’re in a human zoo,” Irving said. https://t.co/aoXKN4jVS3 pic.twitter.com/DJKxPlzrD0
— CBS News (@CBSNews) May 31, 2021
Last week, a Knicks fan spit on Hawks guard Trae Young. A fan dumped popcorn on Wizards point guard Russell Westbrook in Philadelphia. And three fans at Vivint Arena were kicked out and banned for things they said to Grizzlies’ player Ja Morant’s family.
“It’s not a circus,” Joe Ingles told KSL Sports on Monday. “You can’t get out there and throw things at us. We realize we are in a privileged position with the money we make and the life we get to live but it doesn’t give you permission to throw things at the athletes or staff or whoever is out there on the court.”
“What if something doesn’t hit the player and it hits one of the ushers or something like that that’s there making money to pay their bills as well,” Ingles said.
Ingles said players appreciate fans paying money and buying tickets to watch games and support the players and team. But he says if you don’t support the other team, then just don’t say anything.
“It’s unfortunate one fan here and there, it ruins it for everyone,” said Washington Wizards coach Scott Brooks. “There’s great fans in Boston and New York and Philly and DC, Utah. But there’s some that just need to, you know what, stay home. Your thinking is barbaric. Stay home. We don’t need you. We don’t need your dollars. Just stay home. Get away from us.”
“We’re not in a circus. … Grow the f— up and enjoy the game.”
—KD after a fan in Boston threw a water bottle at Kyrie pic.twitter.com/AY4RJL3viY
— ESPN (@espn) May 31, 2021
Mark Eaton, former Utah Jazz center, found unconscious in Summit County neighborhood
