The idiots are out in force as the sports landscape opens back up, with fan behavior under the microscope – and one NBA coach has just about had it.
The NBA playoffs have seen fans:
- Spitting on a player
- Throwing popcorn on a player
- Throwing a water bottle at a player
- Attempting to rush the court
The last of those occurred during Monday’s Philadelphia 76ers-Washington Wizards game in D.C. and ended with a well-executed tackle by a member of arena security.
Wizards coach Scott Brooks was not amused, saying this has to stop.
Adding to Brooks’ disdain, Wizards star Russell Westbrook was the player targeted in the popcorn incident, and Brooks made his feelings clear.
“It’s actually embarrassing for all those fans who do that,” he said following his team’s Game 4 win on Monday night. “NBA has great fans. I played in Philadelphia; they have great fans. They had one knucklehead that decided to throw popcorn. Boston has great fans. One knucklehead decided to throw a water bottle. New York has great fans; one knucklehead decided to spit on somebody. We have great fans. One knucklehead decided to come into the arena.
“It’s unacceptable. I’m tired of it. We all deserve better.”
Wizards center Robin Lopez referenced the long pandemic effects.
“You can tell those people have been in some sort of captivity for the last year, year and change, right?” he said. “It’s kind of wild to see the liberties people are taking.”
Brooks had some advice to those fans who are tempted.
“Stay home,” he said. “We don’t need you. We don’t need your dollars. Just stay home. Get away from us. Let the fans who enjoy it, let them be with their families enjoying it.”
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