Russell Westbrook continues to receive hate from NBA fans.
During the recent Miami Heat game against the Clippers, a Heat fan was ejected after allegedly directing a racial slur, “boy”, at Russell Westbrook. Though full footage of the incident hasn’t surfaced online, a clip preceding the ejection shows the fan shouting “I paid for these seats, boy” at Westbrook. The exact cause of the altercation between the fan and Westbrook remains unclear.
The use of “boy”, especially when uttered by a white individual towards a Black man, is deeply offensive and reminiscent of the Jim Crow era. It’s considered a racial slur and highly demeaning. As of now, neither the NBA, Heat, nor Clippers have addressed the incident publicly.
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Westbrook has played 50 games this season, starting just 10 of them.
Despite his limited starts, he maintains impressive averages of 22.8 minutes per game and a stat line of 11.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 4.7 assists. This marks Westbrook’s first full season with the Clippers, following a trade from the Lakers last year. The Clippers currently hold the fourth position in the Western Conference with a 34-16 record.
The team’s current success contrasts sharply with their rocky start, beginning the season with a 3-7 record and standing at 10-10 after 20 games. Westbrook notably requested a transition to a bench role during the team’s six-game losing streak early in the season.
This move, according to sources speaking with Bleacher Report, aimed to foster cohesion among the starting unit, allowing Terance Mann to play a more impactful role alongside James Harden, Paul George, and Kawhi Leonard. Westbrook’s veteran leadership in the second unit contributed to improved floor spacing in the absence of Harden and Leonard.
