Has the NBA Gone Soft?
During Game 4 between the 76ers and Wizards, a fan attempted to run onto the court while play was happening in the third quarter. (Getty Images)
After a season of NBA players having to listen to basketballs echo their bounce off empty walls due to the absence of fans from the pandemic, the playoffs have unleashed the presence of spectators more than ever. Since the deprivation of in-person viewing, there is no surprise that the thrill of competition has worn on those in attendance. That said, the best and worst of not only players, but fans have shined through on the biggest stage of the year.
Recent incidents of fans stepping over the boundary that separates players from spectators have been breached, Whether it was Russell Westbrook having popcorn thrown at him, Kyrie Irving being a target of an incoming water bottle, Trae Young being spat on in Maddison Square Garden or most recently a fan bum-rushing the Washington Wizards home court, fans have not been able to maintain their competitive juices as players do.
That said, the NBA has responded and shown that fans can and will be held accountable, with something more than an ejection from the game. The fan who missed their mouth while eating popcorn? They have been banned from Wells Fargo Arena. Boston’s fan trying to rehydrate Kyrie? They’ve been arrested and faced with assault and battery charges with a deadly weapon. As for the most recent fan who ran onto the floor helping play defense in Washington, that goes without saying; they will be banned, and charges will be pressed.
Is the NBA right with the allegations that continue to be given out like Willy Wonka’s golden ticket? If someone at the food store threw a water bottle that nearly hit your head after taking the last box of their favorite cereal from the shelves, would you call the cops hoping they’d face federal offenses? Wizard’s coach Scott Brooks commented on the issues at hand, saying how fans shouldn’t be punished at such extremity:
“I don’t know if there’s criminal charges, but they’ve (fans) got to get something on their record, and they’ve got to get exposed and they have to pay money out of their own pocket.”
I think it is fair to say that there needs to be a happy medium in this situation. Fans have patiently waited to recreate the atmosphere players were so used to performing within. I also don’t believe that players would prefer celebrating victories to empty stands once again. If a coach is even admitting to the absurdity behind handing out arrests to people who are simply full of passion, how can fans be able to support their teams without the fear of the law breathing down their necks? The NBA has a lot of soul searching to do, especially for the people who support their viewer ratings, ticket sales, and merchandising profits.
