Russell Westbrook accused Utah Jazz fans of being disrespectful and belligerent towards him during their first-round playoff series and it all came to a head after the Thunder was eliminated in game 6. As Westbrook was heading to the locker room, a Jazz fan name Chad Linebaugh stuck his phone in Westbrook’s face to record his tragic exit and Westbrook responded angrily by slapping his hand as he held his phone.
Westbrook ranted later about Utah fans cursing at him throughout the series. Here is what Westbrook said:
“I didn’t confront fans; fans confronted me,” Westbrook said. “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.”
“I think it’s something that needs to be brought up,” he continued. “I’m tired of just going out and playing, then the fans saying whatever the hell they want to say. 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 s—. So, to disrespect me and do whatever they want to do needs to be put to a stop, especially here in Utah.”
Chad Linebaugh had a completely different account of the altercation and explains that he didn’t say anything to Westbrook. You can argue that it was probably was not a good move by Westbrook to make physical contact with a paying customer, but you are tempting fate as a fan if you taunt an athlete after an emotional loss.
Flip the page for video from KSL.com of Chad Linebaugh explaining his side.