Utah Jazz guard Ricky Rubio (3) knocks the ball loose from Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Dec. 22, 2018. (Spenser Heaps, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Jazz issued another lifetime ban Friday for a fan who called Russell Westbrook “boy” just before Game 4 of the NBA Playoffs in 2018.
The first ban came earlier in the week after a verbal altercation happened between Westbrook and a fan in the Jazz, Thunder game Monday.
Eric Woodyard of the Deseret News released the video footage of the exchange in 2018 with the Thunder superstar.
Jazz owner Gail Miller took an opportunity before Thursday’s game against the Timberwolves to discuss respect between players and fans.
“This should never happen,” Miller said. “We are not a racist community.”
The NBA also sent a memo to all 30 teams in the league to have some type of announcement about respect and civility during games. Miller delivered one, but in her own words.
“We believe in treating people with courtesy and respect as human beings,” she said. “From time to time, individual fans exhibit poor behavior and forget their manners. Some disrespect players on other teams. When that happens, I want to jump up and shout, ‘Stop!'”
The organization did not release a name, but said this fan also has a lifetime ban from all arena events.