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Russell Westbrook did not particularly like supporters of Utah before Monday night's game. The opinion of the Oklahoma City Thunder star will probably be worse after another lively exchange during the match against the Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena.
In shared video on social networksWestbrook was seen shooting a profane tirade in front of a fan near Thunder Bank. We did not know what caused Westbrook, and we never see the fan in the shared video.
Before addressing the fan, Westbrook seems to be talking to a leader of the arena. He points in the direction of the fan saying, "I'll tell you one thing, I'll (explode)."
Westbrook then turns and shouts at the fan.
"I promise you, do you think I'm playing?" he says. "I swear to God, I swear to God, I will explain, You and your wife, I will explain."
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Westbrook briefly turns his attention to the action on the court before addressing the fan again.
"I promise you," he repeats. "About everything I love, everything I love."
Westbrook tackled the confrontation with reporters after the match.
"How did it start, a young man and his wife in the bleachers told me to kneel as before." For me, it's quite disrespectful. I think it is racial and that it is inappropriate in that there is no protection for the players.
"I think there are a lot of big fans who like to come to the game and enjoy it, and then there are people who come to the game to say disrespectful things about me, my family."
"It's only a video, but throughout the match, since I've been here, especially here in Utah, every time I come here, there are a lot of things disrespectful that are said, "added Westbrook. "For me, I just will not continue to take disrespect for my family."
The KSL5TV channel in Salt Lake City later identified the fan as Shane Keisel, who had spoken to the reporter of the chain of the incident. Keisel said that he had mentioned that Westbrook was chilling his knees.
"It's when Joe (Ingles) is gone and caught Paul George in the eye, then Joe apologizes immediately," said Keisel. "Russ is just bombing and continuing bombing, and he's a fool here, and everyone is picking on him."
"I never told him anything," Keisel said. "Everyone will say it, and she never leaves her seat, never says a word, hands on her lap, never say a single swear, not one, at first I was like: & # "Oh, I'm talking to Westbrook, the guy is one of the biggest, but he's also classless."
It was unclear when the incident occurred during the match, but it overshadowed Westbrook's evening on the pitch. He finished with 23 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists to lead the Thunder to a 98-89 victory.
His teammate, Raymond Felton, was close on the bench and corroborated Westbrook's story that he was taunted.
"He's not going to talk to fans, just tell them stuff," Felton said. "That's not the case – they attack it first – when can we protect those players?" People can say what they want during games, shout things, talk their family and talk about our children. "
The Jazz then announced in a statement that his team "was continuing its investigation into the unfortunate exchange between Russell Westbrook and the fans." The arena security had issued several warning cards. the shared responsibility to create a safe and respectful environment ". is determined that all fans have violated the NBA code of conduct, appropriate action will be taken. "
The Monday night incident was not the first between Westbrook and a fan in Utah. He had a pair of showdowns in the playoff heat of last year 's first round between the Thunder and the Jazz.
In the sixth game of the series last April, Westbrook left the field at half-time when a supporter leaned over a ramp to shout at him. Westbrook turned around and seemed to shout "Return the (expletive)" before being separated.
After thunder lost the match and the series, Westbrook took the lead of a fan who seemed to be recording the Oklahoma City star on his phone.
"I do not confront fans, fans confront me," Westbrook said after the match. "Here in Utah, dude, a lot of vulgar and disrespectful things are being told to the players here with these fans – it's really disrespectful. (They) are talking about your families, your kids." C & # 39; is just a lack of respect for the game and I think it's something that needs to be raised.
"I'm tired of going out and letting the fans say what they mean.I am not with that.If I were in the street, they would not come to me and do not would say nothing crazy, because I do not play that (expletive). "
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