NBA Takes Special Edition: What’s up with these unruly fans?
Teresa Powe
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Last week three NBA players were assaulted by so-called fans. What can and should be done so that the players are protected? Should players be held back from reacting to fans’ jeers and cheers? Let’s take a look.
What has the pandemic done to some of these fans? Throwing popcorn, spitting, and hurling water bottles is just the latest of the attempted assaults during only the second week of this season’s playoffs.
Do these people not remember the “Malice at the Palace”?!?! A plastic cup thrown at Pacers forward Ron Artest in Detroit caused the ugliest, most violent fight between NBA fans and players. Is this postseason going in the same direction?
There have been nasty things done by some who call themselves fans. That’s not how to express loyalty or love for your team. In my opinion, it just shows stupidity.
Popcorn frenzy in Philly
These outrageous attacks started during the second week’s first-round playoff games. I don’t get it. The Sixers won this game. Washington star Russell Westbrook was hurt and helped off the court to the Wizards’ locker room. A Sixers fan decided to throw his popcorn on Westbrook’s head. If the security guards had not held Westbrook, I’m afraid there would have been “malice” in the Wells Fargo Center.
Security removed that fan from the arena and received an indefinite ban from the Wells Fargo Center. But is that enough?
A rowdy crowd and a spitter at MSG
I am a bona fide die-hard for over fifty years New York Knicks fan. I admit I had some choice words for Trae Young while watching the game at home. But “F— Trae Young,” I have to admit, was a bit much. Even for a crowd at their first playoff game in eight years. Yes, he talked back to the crowd. Maybe that incited them to continue their onslaught. But it didn’t give a fan the right to spit at him.
I couldn’t believe it, and I was in denial until the Garden issued the following statement:
We investigated the matter and determined that this patron, who is not a season ticket holder, did indeed spit on Trae Young, and for that reason, he is now banned from The Garden indefinitely. We apologize to Trae and the entire Atlanta Hawks organization for this fan’s behavior. This was completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated in our venue. We have turned the information over to the appropriate authorities.
That young man beat our behinds after that and hasn’t stopped. Was spitting on Young really worth it? Atlanta most likely eliminates the Knicks in Round 1. Too much crowd noise sometimes hurts your own players.
The NBA response
The NBA released a statement the day after the incident:
The return of more NBA fans to our arenas has brought great excitement and energy to the start of the playoffs, but it is critical that we all show respect for players, officials and our fellow fans. An enhanced code of conduct will be vigorously enforced in order to ensure a safe and respectful environment for all involved..
The NBA Players’ Association added this:
Respect our Players. Respect our Game.
What??? That’s it? I think that if the offenders knew they would be arrested, charged, and faced jail time depending on the offense, they might think twice.
A bottle flying in Boston
Are the Boston fans serious? They knew the Big 3 Brooklyn Nets would defeat n injury-plagued Boston team. I know some Celtics fans are hurt by the things Kyrie Irving did, saged, or said about them. Understandably, there is ill will toward Kyrie by the Boston faithful.
Throwing a water bottle at his head? C’mon people. No matter how badly your team loses, if a player did not come into the stands and put their hands on you, keep your hands or what’s in your hands to yourself!
While the crime escalated, so did the punishment. Twenty-one-year-old “fan” Cole Buckley’s name was released to the public. The young man was arrested and charged with assault and battery with a deadly weapon. Oh yes, he has also suffered a lifetime ban from TD Garden.
What’s next?
This was just the second week of the playoffs. It’s only the first round. Maybe quarantine, not attending games, and needing a vaccine before returning to arenas affected some fans negatively. What we’re seeing is not acceptable.
Some of the blame goes to the players. They should also grow thicker skins and not react to the fans’ jeers.
This has been a crazy season. Let’s chill and enjoy the rest of the postseason. It’s been a long time since some of these teams have been in the playoffs. Some of our teams’ players have a lot of work to do this offseason. There is always next year.
Violence is no way to thank the players for all of their hard work.
A Fan runs on the court in D.C.
Just as this piece was about to be published, a new occurrence in the unruly fans saga took place.
During the third quarter of Monday night’s game four between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Washington Wizards, a fan runs onto the court. Luckily, he could not do anything thanks to the arena’s security, which tackled him to the ground.
I will have a follow-up with this week’s regular NBA Takes.
Until next time, stay safe and healthy.