Russell Westbrook is not unfamiliar with taunts from fans.
Over his various stops in a 16-year career, Westbrook has had several run-ins with fans, including in 2019 when a Utah Jazz fan earned a lifetime ban for what he said to Westbrook, who was still a member of the Oklahoma City Thunder at the time.
On Monday, that line was crossed again, according to Westbrook, who got into a back-and-forth with a home-crowd fan at crypto.com Arena during the Los Angeles Clippers’ loss to the Denver Nuggets.
Russell Westbrook gets into an extended verbal exchange with a courtside heckler as Clippers lose 113-104 to Nuggets (minus Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon) in LA.
– A referee and players from both teams intervene to cool tensions. pic.twitter.com/3gmUceJOcZ— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) November 28, 2023
After the game, Westbrook said it would be inappropriate to repeat what the fan said to him, but he added “if I’m responding, it’s a reason I’m responding.”
“Respect is a big thing that I value,” Westbrook said. “So, the moment that line gets crossed, I won’t allow it no more. I’ve stood for it for years, and now, my son is old enough to know what’s going on and asking me, ‘hey dad, what does that mean, or what’s that?’ Now I got to stand on it. And regardless of where I’m at or what’s going on, I’ll always stand on that.”
Russell Westbrook said he’s no longer going to tolerate disrespect from fans: pic.twitter.com/Ktzz35U9Dz
— Melissa Rohlin (@melissarohlin) November 28, 2023
Westbrook said fans can say whatever they want, as long as they stay away from negative comments about family.
“Any disrespect to me, my family, I won’t allow it.”