"Totally unacceptable." That's how Oklahoma City Thunder All-Star point guard Russell Westbrook described the scene in Denver last night after a fan rushed onto the court and got in his face following Gary Harris' game-winning three pointer.
Immediately after Harris drained the three to give the Nuggets a 127-124 victory, the Pepsi Center erupted, as they should. However, one fan seated court side got up out of his seat, ran onto the court and yelled right in Westbrook's face.
Westbrook responded by shoving the fan in the chest before a referee and an arena employee stepped in. The NBA should be thankful that's all that happened.
According to ESPN, Westbrook was asked whether he felt that shoving the fan was the only way for him to protect himself. He responded, "Of course."
"You gotta be able to protect the players, man," he said. "The fans are obviously there to enjoy the game, but they can't come onto the floor. That's totally unacceptable.
"They'll look at it and figure out what's the best way to deal with it, but to me, that's just totally unacceptable."
The league's s code of conduct for fans prohibits guests from "attempting to enter the court" and clearly states that those who do "will be subject to ejection without refund and revocation of season tickets and may also be in violation of city ordinances resulting in possible arrest and prosecution."
The NBA is reviewing the incident.