The NBA has a chance to get ahead of the simmering tension between players and fans, as exemplified by the confrontation Monday between Thunder G Russell Westbrook and Jazz fan Shane Keisel, and "prevent the next 'Malice at the Palace' before it even has a chance to begin," according to Vincent Goodwill of YAHOO SPORTS. The Jazz yesterday announced a lifetime ban for Keisel from all events at Vivint Smart Home Arena following the incident, but that is a "Band-Aid on the growing tensions." The NBA offers the "best fan experience of the four major sports," but the cost of a ticket "doesn't allow participation from the customers, and the league must do a better job of defining the line that isn't to be crossed" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 3/12). In N.Y., Carron Phillips writes the "workplace harassment that takes place at sporting events from fans towards players has to stop." The NBA "has to be the one to lead the way." The "ball is in Adam Silver’s court, and if he doesn’t want to deal with 'Malice at the Palace 2.0,' he better come up with a plan to protect his players, sooner than later" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 3/13). In Oklahoma City, Jenni Carlson writes 15 years removed from the Malice at the Palace, it "feels like we’re hurtling headlong toward another altercation between players and fans." In listening to players maybe "we’re just lucky the Palace Malice hasn’t repeated itself" (OKLAHOMAN, 3/13).
GOING OUT OF BOUNDS: In Salt Lake City, Andy Larsen reports the Jazz banned Keisel after determining he "violated the NBA Code of Conduct" during his exchange with Westbrook. After reviewing video of the incident and "speaking to fan and staff eyewitnesses to the exchange, the Jazz supported Westbrook’s account" (SALT LAKE TRIBUNE, 3/13). In Utah, Eric Woodyard notes four other Jazz fans received “warning cards” on Monday "indicating that their comments, gestures and/or behaviors directed at players were in violation of the NBA Fan Code of Conduct, but were able to return to their seats after their altercation" with Westbrook. Utah Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox said that this incident can be a "teachable moment for not just Jazz fans, but for teams around the league as well." Cox said, "There’s an opportunity here for us to elevate the conversation, to let fans know that we need to be better and we need to hold each other accountable, that we need to try harder to improve the reputation (DESERET NEWS, 3/13). In DC, Ben Golliver notes Monday's incident "isn’t the first exchange between Westbrook and Jazz fans." After a season-ending Game 6 loss to Jazz in the first round of last year’s playoffs, Westbrook "swiped at a fan who was attempting to film him with a camera phone as he walked off the court" (WASHINGTON POST, 3/13).
BAD LOOK FOR JAZZ: In Utah, Brad Rock notes accusations against the Jazz crowd have "popped up occasionally over the years, but they’ve increased in visibility." Now this incident "particularly hurts the Jazz, who have struggled to attract top free agent talent." The "only good thing is that the Jazz quickly addressed the incident" (DESERET NEWS, 3/13). Jazz C Rudy Gobert said that he "did not think" Keisel's actions were "representative of the Jazz fan base." Gobert added that he has "never heard a racist comment made" at Vivint Smart Home Arena in his six seasons with the franchise. However, he said that he has been "bothered in the past by disrespectful comments made toward opponents and sympathized with Westbrook." Gobert also said that he was "bothered when Westbrook was touched by a boy sitting courtside" at Denver's Pepsi Center last month. Gobert: "Sometimes it almost feels like a zoo. People pay money to watch us and feel like they can touch us or do whatever they want" (ESPN.com, 3/12). Jazz G Donovan Mitchell also defended Westbrook, saying in a statement he is "personally hurt by the incident." Mitchell: "The Utah that I have come to love is welcoming and inclusive and [Monday] night’s incident is not indicative of our fanbase" (DESERET NEWS, 3/13).
PART OF LIFE IN THE NBA? Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said he has heard many things during his career "that have been thrown out there that are over the line, that are inappropriate, and under normal circumstances out on the street would demand some sort of response." He said, "It’s difficult to just put your eyes down, shut up and keep walking sometimes” (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS, 3/13). ESPN's Amin Elhassan noted that many fans are "really crossing the line of decency." He said, "You have people that are basically using their ticket as carte blanche to say whatever they want to say" ("OTL," ESPN, 3/12). USA TODAY's Nancy Armour writes the "norms of common decency don’t cease to exist when you walk through the doors of an arena or stadium." It is one thing to "boo an opposing player or team," but when "you make it personal, however, or use racist or homophobic language, you’ve crossed a line" (USA TODAY, 3/13). However, ESPN's Will Cain noted the NBA is "going to have trouble going through and kicking out every single fan that goes over that line." Cain: "People have trouble with lines. Not everyone sees it in the same place, in the same way" ("The Will Cain Show," ESPN Radio, 3/12).
WESTBROOK NOT BLAMELESS: Westbrook was fined $25,000 for using profanity toward Keisel during the confrontation, and in DC, Thom Loverro notes Westbrook "threatening a man and a woman with vulgar language is not physical assault." However, it "conjures up a horrible image the league cannot tolerate." While it can be questioned whether the fine will get Westbrook's attention, the "cost to the league if these confrontations between players and fans continue to escalate" is "not debatable." Loverro: "The league needs to make clear to players that threatening to physically hurt fans in NBA arenas is unacceptable, no matter the provocation" (WASHINGTON TIMES, 3/13). ESPN's Dan Le Batard said once an incident "goes viral ... the league has to step in and punish the stuff" because it cannot have players "talk to the paying customer this way." However, the league needs to be "just as punitive" to the fans ("The Dan Le Batard Show," ESPN Radio, 3/12).
