The NBA Has A Trespassing Issue That Needs To Be Addressed ASAP

The NBA has a real problem in many of its arenas across the country. These kinds of incidents where spectators, detractors, and even bodyguards are finding their way onto the court, or close enough to throw objects and even spit at players have gotten way out of hand.

Since the playoffs started, there has been a handful of these occurrences, where even one is too many. The most recent of which happening during game three of the Brooklyn Nets and Milwaukee Bucks series where Kevin Durant’s bodyguard decided it was a great idea to jump in-between Durant and P.J. Tucker of the Bucks. Not only did the bodyguard come onto the court, but he also shoved Tucker during the scuffle. Game three was a sluggishly rough throwback to the 1990s era of the NBA and the game certainly got chippy to say the least.

Unless you are a player, coach, referee, ball boy/girl, or part of the ‘arena’ security staff, you should never be anywhere within the 94x50ft. court where the game is played. Commissioner Adam Silver and his office must get with the NBPA to figure out how to keep players and fans from being too close, especially when fans end up on the court. Someone is going to end up getting hurt, and it more than likely will not be one of the athletes on the court.

ON THE VERGE OF GOING TOO FAR

Nobody wants a repeat of 2004 and the Malice at the Palace. November 19, 2004, is the day that the rough and rugged style of NBA hoops truly died. It took a couple more years to transform the league, but that was the last straw for NBA commissioner David Stern.

At the rate, the league is going in these 2021 playoffs, we aren’t far off from another malice-type incident. These entitled fans who feel they can say or do whatever they please because they paid for a ticket need a wake-up call. It isn’t the majority, but the small sector of these idiot fans will end up making things worse for everyone. That is usually how these things work.

Players are growing tired of being treated like animals. It’s quickly gotten old. Russell Westbrook was involved in an incident, in the first round against the Philadelphia 76ers, where a fan dumped popcorn on him as he limped to the locker after leaving the game with what looked like a leg injury. Westbrook, being Westbrook, attempted to confront the fan and had to be restrained by arena staff.

Westbrook spoke to reporters about the unfortunate incident after the game.

“I’m all for the fans enjoying the game, having fun, it’s a part of sports – I get it but there are certain things that cross the line,” Westbrook explained. “Any other setting, I know a guy on the street wouldn’t come up and dump popcorn on my head because he knows what would happen. In these arenas, you got to start protecting the players. We’ll see what the NBA does.”

The Sixers organization quickly apologized to Westbrook along with revoking the season tickets of the fan accused of pouring the popcorn on Westbrook.

The ball is your court now NBA – you have got to find a way to create a truly safe work environment for your players/employees the same way any other employer in America is supposed to. You do not get a pass because your employees make such a great living doing what they do. Players are on the court to entertain, not to be disrespected, attacked, and have racial slurs thrown at them and their families.

It’s time for a change. And NBA fans, you’re better than this. So start acting like it.