Damian Lillard on Fan Misconduct: 'It's Happening Every Game'

Damian Lillard knows exactly the type of response these unruly fans want by provoking NBA players from the stands.
Jack Winter|
Damian Lillard on Fan Misconduct: 'It's Happening Every Game'
Damian Lillard on Fan Misconduct: 'It's Happening Every Game'

Kyrie Irving dropped 39 points in the Brooklyn Nets' win over the Boston Celtics at T.D. Garden on Sunday, pushing his former team to the brink of elimination. 

As he was leaving the court, Irving's recent comments about "subtle racism" from unruly fans – particularly in Boston – were confirmed when a water bottle was thrown at his head from the stands.

The fan who targeted Irving, identified as 21-year-old Cole Buckley, was ultimately arrested and charged with assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon, according to ESPN.

The incident tipped off a fresh round of discussion about fan misconduct and the role systemic racism plays within it as bigger and bigger crowds attend postseason games. While the vast majority of NBA followers came to Irving's defense, some fans and media members at least partially justified the actions of Buckley because Irving intentionally stepped on the head of the Celtics' leprechaun logo at halfcourt.

After the game, Irving decried the "underlying racism" among fans who treat players "like they're in a human zoo." Kevin Durant implored fans to "grow the f*** up," reminding them that "we're not in the circus."

Sunday's incident is just the latest of several recent interactions between fans, players and players' families that have put a new spotlight on fan misconduct – and the undergird of racism that drives it. 

Russell Westbrook had popcorn thrown on him by a Philadelphia 76ers fan as he was hobbling to the locker room at Capitol One Arena last week. Trae Young was spat on by a New York Knicks fan sitting near courtside at Madison Square Garden. Kin of Ja Morant and Dillon Brooks were subjected to bigoted comments from Utah Jazz fans at Vivint Smart Home Arena.

How does Damian Lillard feel about this spate of inappropriate, ugly, racist behavior from NBA fans? 

Let's hope the league taking consistent action with regard to the banning of unruly fans prevents players from being forced to take matters into their own hands going forward, as Lillard alludes. The Malice at the Palace was instigated by Detroit Pistons fans, but it's Metta World Peace, Stephen Jackson and Jermaine O'Neal who took the brunt of punishment and criticism for the brawl.

On the other hand, it's not like you could blame a player for confronting fans directly. Even this type of disgusting jeering, at the Blazers' expense after their Game 2 loss to the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena, crosses a line of dehumanization.

WARNING: language NSFW

Good on Lillard for speaking out about the treatment he and his peers are forced to grin and bear on a regular basis at opposing arenas. It's on all league followers to follow his lead by calling out fan misconduct and eradicating systemic racism from the NBA.

READ MORE: Damian Lillard's Errant Shooting Barely Blunted His Game 4 Impact

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Jack Winter
JACK WINTER

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