ESPN homerizing the "victim all star" again

[Miggs]

Sport is an emotional thing.

I've seen every fan base do ridiculous things. Detroit threw stuff at Ron Artest. Reggie Miller and Spike Lee used to go at it. European Soccer fans need to sectioned off by two rows of security... In fact, they often cannot sell out the arena because they need empty seats between opposing fans. Ricky Rubio says that he got batteries thrown at him while he was playing European Basketball.

Sports can be cathartic, but at times it can also release the 'irrational' nature out of us (especially when we are surrounded by thousands of people screaming in affirmation/opposition).

Utah is not the worst. However, we are no angels either.

The fan was being rude and so was Russell Westbrook. I do not see either as a victim.

When Donovan Mitchell yelled at the fans, "I'll see you all next year" after game 5. Nobody on this site made too much of a fuss.

Oh... and Stephen Jackson is just bitter that he lost the series. If the Warrior would have beat us. He would have stood in the middle of the arena said some things and thumped his chest (and rightfully so). Sport is like that sometimes.

tl;dr. Sport is hyper-emotional. You cannot expect everyone to act reasonably all the time.

The fan was being rude and so was Russell Westbrook? Some of the dumbest ****ing logic.

So if someone punches me in the face for no apparent reason, that’s rude but I shouldn’t punch them back because that would be rude to do so?

 

[Hitman]

So what did the fan *actually* say? Does anyone know? Can it be verified that whatever was said is actually worse than what other fan bases say? Or is this vague claim just an invention after the fact to justify his behaviour?

 

[That1UtahFan]

So what did the fan *actually* say? Does anyone know? Can it be verified that whatever was said is actually worse than what other fan bases say? Or is this vague claim just an invention after the fact to justify his behaviour?

This guy tweeted out DURING the game saying he asked a security guard what was said at halftime and it was "How's your ankles." He also later tweeted that there wasn't anything vulgar being said.


However I think it was ridiculous to put a phone right in Westbrook's face (Or anyone else for that matter) when he was leaving the court. Russ is a very emotional player and getting eliminated only amplifies that then you add in someone putting a phone in your face only piles on.

 

[candrew]

 

[Miggs]

Can we lock this and move on?

Game 1 is today. Let's not harbor pettiness.

 

[The Jazz Wonderbra]

Dear Jazz fans,

Please refrain from heckling, chanting pushoff p, talking about players ankles, and holding up 4 fingers. Instead, blow kisses, whisper of you have anything to say, and wear your Sunday best.

Heckling hurts. Poor guy. He probably felt bullied. Let's make utah the sweetest and quietest arena in the world! Thank you for telling f u to the fans Westbrook. Great shot... do it again melo.

There is a line you don't cross. Don't cross it. But HECKLE, BE LOUD, GET IN THEIR HEADS, PUSHOFF P, HOWS YOUR ANKLES AWAY!!! GO JAZZ!

 

[JohnnyClutch]

I don't know about the half time guy, but I don't think filming players leaving the court is off limits. When I'm videoing someone, I'm holding the phone at arms length. Boo hoo, see ya next year.

And I'll bet it was the guy at half time that referenced Westbrook's ankles.

 

[fishonjazz]

I think the best thing we can do is echo that being a fan that dehumanizes players for fun is ****** and call people out when we see it.

Defending **** like that or taking it personally does absolutely no good and might speak to the criticism.

I think we all agree but has it came out what was said?
If it was “how are your ankles?” Then should we be way upset with the fan who said that? Or only if it was racist or about family or something.

Is it ok to say something like “bye bye, don’t let the door hit ya on the way out” as he is exiting the court (not taking the time to shake any jazz players hands for that matter)?

How about when the dj plays Hit The Road Jack when a player gets tossed or fouls out? Is that ok or is that over the line?

 

[Stoked]

Also the guy from the end of the game did an interview and said he didn’t say anything. Just wanted video pics of the players.

I find their story as likely as Westbrook’s.

 

[Former Member]

The fan was being rude and so was Russell Westbrook? Some of the dumbest ****ing logic.

So if someone punches me in the face for no apparent reason, that’s rude but I shouldn’t punch them back because that would be rude to do so?

C'mon man. that is a false analogy. Attacking someone physically is different than attacking them verbally. One instigates the principal of self-defense the other doesn't.

 

[Miggs]

C'mon man. that is a false analogy. Attacking someone physically is different than attacking them verbally. One instigates the principal of self-defense the other doesn't.

The point is it shouldn't be expected that someone just stand there and take verbal abuse. Verbally going after them is completely fine imo.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

I attend games in Sacramento and GS... 90% of their fans are cool... but when I go on the concourse it isn’t uncommon to hear a fan tell me I effing suck or gtfo... my son is usually with me too... so look idiots everywhere... and part of me want to get up in they face but I give them the wtf stink face and move on.

It’s sports... if its within the bounds of what can be said then give them hell... clearly it bothers them. I mean security ain’t kicking out those fools that cuss at me.