Russell Westbrook got into it with a fan during the Los Angeles Clippers-Denver Nuggets game on November 27. It was a home game for the Clippers, but it’s unknown if the fan was supporting the Clippers or Nuggets.
During his postgame media session, Westbrook talked about the incident.
“I mean, it’s unfortunate,” Westbrook said. “Fans think they can say whatever they want. I’m not going to say [what was said] now because it’s not appropriate, but I’m just protecting myself. It’s just unfortunate fans think they can get away with saying anything and, personally, I won’t allow it. I’ve [taken] a lot of people saying anything and getting away with it, but I won’t stand for it.”
Westbrook was called “Russell Westbrick” by fans during his stint with the Los Angeles Lakers. Last season during the first-round playoff series between the Clippers and Phoenix Suns in Phoenix, Westbrook had a verbal confrontation with a Suns fan as players were using a shortcut through a club area from the locker room to go to the court.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Russell Westbrook, Los Angeles Clippers, Denver Nuggets Updates
“I understand fans are enjoying the game and feeling up to whatever that may be,” Westbrook said. “I guess they feel they can kind of say whatever, but this is our job … all the negative comments about family and things of that nature, I would kind of stay away from. But anything else, they can kind of say what they want.”
The Clippers lost to the Nuggets to drop to 7-9 on the season. Westbrook finished with 14 points and 11 rebounds in 26 minutes while shooting 5-of-9 from the field and 4-of-6 from the free-throw line.
“Now having kids and understanding how important it is, not just myself but my last name,” Westbrook said. “Understanding what Westbrook means, understanding how important that is to my dad, my grandfather, my family. It’s very important. It’s something I stand on, and the respect is a big thing that I value.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Russell Westbrook, Los Angeles Clippers, Denver Nuggets Updates
“So the moment that line gets crossed, I won’t allow [it] no more. I’ve stood for it for years, and now my son is old enough to know what’s going on, asking me, ‘Hey Dad, what does that mean? What’s that?’ Now I got to stand on it, and regardless of where I’m at, what’s going on, I’m always standing on that.”
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