(Fatherland) – The biggest star in the tournament could not hide his anger when he saw Russell Westbrook being treated unfairly in the match taking place on the morning of May 27 (Vietnam time).
In the early morning of May 27, the Washington Wizards had a difficult away trip to the home field of the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs. Facing the top team in the East with home field advantage, the Washington Wizards were completely satisfied. “powerless” in all attack options. In the end, the Philadelphia 76ers won an overwhelming victory 120-95, thereby leading 2-0 in this Bo7 series.
This victory of the Philadelphia 76ers is without question. Although the players from both sides played quite fiercely, there were no clashes. However, everything changed when a 76ers fan appeared to disrespect Wizards player Russell Westbrook.
Russell Westbrook was hit in the head with popcorn by a 76ers fan as he left the field due to injury
The above situation took place around the beginning of the fourth quarter, when the Wizards’ star defender suffered a rolled ankle injury and had to move to the locker room to receive care from the medical team. From the audience, a fan poured popcorn on Russell Westbrook’s head. This offensive action made the 32-year-old defender extremely angry. If it weren’t for the staff standing next to him to stop him, the fan probably would have had to leave the field by ambulance.
The fan’s offensive situation above is being shared at breakneck speed on social networks. Most believe that the above action is unacceptable and disrespectful to the player, even if it is a player on the opposing side. Among the countless comments “stoning” fans for their ill-mannered behavior, the biggest star in the tournament, LeBron James, also expressed his dissatisfaction and spoke up to defend Russell Westbrook.
“As colleagues, as players on the field, we want to see who threw popcorn at Russ when he left the game tonight with an injury. The cameras on the field will definitely record it. “If I can get that image again, this won’t be difficult,” LeBron James finished sharing with the hashtag #ProtectOurPlayers.
Sharing the same opinion as LeBron James, head coach Scott Brooks also expressed his dissatisfaction after the match. “That action is truly disrespectful. Philadelphia better not let that happen. Hopefully that uncultured person will be banned from the tournament because that is unacceptable. Obviously if met Russell Westbrook on the street, they wouldn’t dare do that in front of him,” Coach Scott shared with journalist Mychael Scotto.
As for Russell Westbrook, the Wizards star himself also expressed anger at the post-match press conference. “I wonder if he dares to stand in front of me on the street and throw popcorn at my head like that? Because you know what will happen next. At stadiums like this, the tournament must have Measures to protect players. We will see what the NBA does with this case.”
Russell Westbrook was treated disrespectfully by fans many times when he was playing for the Oklahoma City Thunder
As for the fan who committed the above offensive action, through watching another clip, we can see that it was a white man. Immediately after that, this fan was invited out of the stadium by the Wells Fargo Center stadium security team. And obviously with the above action, fans will likely be banned from the remaining 76ers matches in the remainder of the 2021 Playoffs.
HUY PHAM
