Russell Westbrook put together back-to-back epic performances in Games Five and Six but it wasn’t enough to salvage Oklahoma City’s playoff series deficit to the Utah Jazz. Unfortunately Jazz fans aren’t going to remember him for his heroic 46 point/10 rebound performance in a road close-out game. Instead they’re going to remember him for his harsh reaction to taunting fans.
That’s alright though because Westbrook has no love for Utah fans anyway.
“If I was on the street, they wouldn’t just come up to me and say anything crazy. ’Cause I don’t play that s**t”
Russell Westbrook says fans in Utah have been "disrespectful" to the Thunder pic.twitter.com/cTMPHq0vJZ
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) April 28, 2018
“I don’t confront fans,” Westbrook said when asked about the altercations. “Fans confront me. Here in Utah, a lot of disrespectful, vulgar things are said. … It’s something that needs to be brought up… I don’t play that s—. … It needs to be put to a stop…especially here in Utah”
Jazz fans are going to pass this off as sour grapes after losing a playoff series they were favored in, but the reality is that there was some legitimate encounters with fans and players going on the Salt Lake City. However, was that enough to justify Westbrook’s response going into the tunnel. Well, your answer to that question probably depends on which team you were cheering for.
Russell Westbrook and fan get into it at the end of the first half. #NBA#ThunderUp pic.twitter.com/EoqkMklm6k
— TITANSHOMER (@TitansHomer) April 28, 2018
Russell Westbrook confronts a fan as he exits the floor. pic.twitter.com/hJaC6sCvDh
— RealGM (@RealGM) April 28, 2018
Like it, love it, or hate it, fans talk trash to players in every NBA basketball arena across the country, but every NBA player takes a swipe at those types of fans.
Yes, the fan going into the half was yelling at Russ and I’m sure the guy at the end of the game wasn’t just taking a picture either. That said, I’m not certain any lines were crossed here by the fans. I’m not sure that I can say the same thing about Russell Westbrook though.