(Reuters) Russell Westbrook took a swipe at a Utah Jazz fan’s cellphone moments after the Oklahoma City Thunder were eliminated from the NBA playoffs on Friday night. The Thunder guard was walking off the court following the 96-91 loss to the Jazz in Game 6, when he turned suddenly to swat in the fan’s direction. The fan appeared to be pointing the phone at him, but his comments can’t be heard.
Westbrook inferred that the comments were “vulgar” and said such behavior is an ongoing problem at games in Utah.
“I didn’t confront fans; fans confronted me,” Westbrook said afterward. “Here in Utah, man, a lot of disrespectful, vulgar things are said to the players here with these fans. It’s truly disrespectful. Talk about your families, your kids. It’s truly disrespectful to the game, man.”
He didn’t single out what the fan in question said, but expanded on his general gripes.
“I’m tired of just going out and playing, then the fans saying whatever the hell they want to say,” Westbrook said. “I’m not with that. If I was on the street, they wouldn’t just come up to me and say anything crazy, because I don’t play that (expletive). So, to disrespect me and do whatever they want to do needs to be put to a stop, especially here in Utah.”
