IT ejected in Philly for going into stands to confront abusive fan

[KGs Knee]

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I'll say the same thing I always say about this type of incident.  It's unbecoming of fans to act this way and 100% grounds for removal from the arena (potentially including a permanent ban) but it is absolutely foolish of players to respond this way.  You risk hurting your team by responding this way and it is nothing more than a weakness your opponents can and will exploit.

you gotta be kidding me. The fan only said “f u” some people are becoming snowflakes around speech

LOL....it's not everyday I get called a 'snow flake'....that's a first.

I personally wouldn't care a lick if I heard someone swearing at a player. It's such small potatoes to me.  But teams reserve the right to limit behavior on their private property practically however they wish. Children go to these games too, and I understand if parents don't want their children listening to that, and that the NBA might prioritize that over my indifference to such language.

But, of course IT was wrong here. As I said, his reaction is a weakness, period. He needs to ignore that stuff. He deserves to be punished, and I suspect he will. 

[gpap]

Wow, surprised to hear IT did this. I agree with some that fans don't have the right to say whatever they want just because they buy a ticket.

When I go to a game, I root for my team, eat my food, drink my drinks, cheer and go home. However, a fan saying "F-U" to a player shouldn't elicit a response from IT to jump into the stands.

Shame on the fan because there's kids around and it's common courtesy not to swear in public. If the fan said something personal about IT, then I can see it.

But just for dropping the f-bomb, I don't think it was necessary to do what IT did. At the very least, just give him the finger back.

[RPGenerate]

I suspect the NBA to come down hard on IT, and rightfully so. Under no circumstances should a player confront a fan like that. Absolutely none, especially under such weak circumstances. Seems that IT just got up in his feelings.

I'm not absolving that idiot fan. However I feel this is the larger issue of allowing alcohol at an all-ages event like this. I sure wouldn't want any young people next to these drunken fools.

[gpap]

I suspect the NBA to come down hard on IT, and rightfully so. Under no circumstances should a player confront a fan like that. Absolutely none, especially under such weak circumstances. Seems that IT just got up in his feelings.

I'm not absolving that idiot fan. However I feel this is the larger issue of allowing alcohol at an all-ages event like this. I sure wouldn't want any young people next to these drunken fools.

I understand your point, but I don't blame the alcohol. I'm willing to bet all of us on this board have drank a few at a game and I don't think we drop f-bombs in public at games. It's more of a reflection of the fan just being a trashy person.

That said, I also agree that IT shouldn't have jumped into the stands.

[Amonkey]

Have you guys seen the video of him going to the stand? It really wasn’t that bad. He just walks up to the guy in a non agressive manner and let’s the guy know that was unacceptable. Guy apologizes and IT walks back. It really wasn’t bad.

I think he should be penalized because you don’t want to set a precedent but I liked the sequence. Guy acts like an a** (but just that since he wasn’t being racist or aggressive) so he puts him on blast. Guy gets blasted but I think he realizes he did wrong, IT let’s him know it’s unacceptable but is not an a**hole back and everyone moves on.

[JSD]

We are living in a culture of hypersensitivity

It’s probably no news to you or anyone that sensitivity is an individual thing. There have always been those among us who are more sensitive, or more easily hurt, than others. Some of the best, most hard-working, most endearing people in my life are sensitive.  There is nothing wrong with sensitivity in my book.  However, we shouldn’t confuse sensitivity with impulsivity.  There  is no question that there are limits to how people ought to respond to their own impulses (which may be based on sensitivities) in a diverse and civil society.   I like that IT may be a sensitive person. It’s his response that in this case was inappropriate. As we’ve seen numerous times from Marcus Smart, a gut reaction sometimes isn’t the most prudent response.

It is not just IT, it’s Kyrie Irving, it is Russell Westbrook, it’s the whole new era of players that are demanding opposing fans do nothing other than cheer or boo, and it’s ridiculous. You are getting paid millions of dollars, dealing with unruly fans comes with the territory. It is just words.  if you’re a player playing in an opposing city you should recognize that you’re going to be mistreated and disrespected by the opposing fan bases as a mental game to gain an advantage. If you don’t like it, practice and study harder for your team to get home court advantage in the playoffs, that way you won’t deal with the bad words.

Police officers in this country literally deal with 100 times worse than what these guys are dealing with, virtually every other call.

[apc]

Have you guys seen the video of him going to the stand? It really wasn’t that bad. He just walks up to the guy in a non agressive manner and let’s the guy know that was unacceptable. Guy apologizes and IT walks back. It really wasn’t bad.

I think he should be penalized because you don’t want to set a precedent but I liked the sequence. Guy acts like an a** (but just that since he wasn’t being racist or aggressive) so he puts him on blast. Guy gets blasted but I think he realizes he did wrong, IT let’s him know it’s unacceptable but is not an a**hole back and everyone moves on.

Agree with you, i am with IT on this one. call it an educational moment for the fans.

[hpantazo]

The value of balcony seats just went up. Fans can say whatever they want up there, players can hear them, and they won’t be coming up there after them

[LilRip]

So the fan just got banned for 1 year and the season ticket holder (who gave the fan his ticket for that game) had his season ticket revoked. I think that’s a bit much, especially on the season ticket holder’s part.

Your thoughts???

[Roy H.]

So the fan just got banned for 1 year and the season ticket holder (who gave the fan his ticket for that game) had his season ticket revoked. I think that’s a bit much, especially on the season ticket holder’s part.

Your thoughts???

I agree with you, assuming he’s not a repeat offender.  Trust me, foul language in Philly is pretty commonplace.

[ozgod]

According to IT it was the "B" word that crossed the line.

“You know how Philly fans are. Like that doesn’t bother me,” Thomas said. “When you say the ‘B’ word, that’s not okay. Because if I’m on the street, you won’t ever say that if I’m right next to you, so that’s not okay on any level and I will not be disrespected like that. Fans can say whatever they want. Don’t talk about my family and don’t say that word.”

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2019/12/22/two-ers-fans-banned-year-following-incident-with-wizards-isaiah-thomas/

[Roy H.]

According to IT it was the "B" word that crossed the line.

“You know how Philly fans are. Like that doesn’t bother me,” Thomas said. “When you say the ‘B’ word, that’s not okay. Because if I’m on the street, you won’t ever say that if I’m right next to you, so that’s not okay on any level and I will not be disrespected like that. Fans can say whatever they want. Don’t talk about my family and don’t say that word.”

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2019/12/22/two-ers-fans-banned-year-following-incident-with-wizards-isaiah-thomas/

Remarkably thin skin for a guy who is generally so physically and mentally tough.

[SparzWizard]

So the fan just got banned for 1 year and the season ticket holder (who gave the fan his ticket for that game) had his season ticket revoked. I think that’s a bit much, especially on the season ticket holder’s part.

Your thoughts???

The fan should really file a lawsuit on Isaiah Thomas and the NBA. Fans are entitled to what they say and shout as long as it doesn't cross the line, and just spewing profanity isn't crossing the line. IT4 should be lucky the fan didn't throw stuff at him. This is in Philadelphia right? They have the worst fanbase in all four major league sports, but this guy was legit not bad lol.

[Scottiej23]

So the fan just got banned for 1 year and the season ticket holder (who gave the fan his ticket for that game) had his season ticket revoked. I think that’s a bit much, especially on the season ticket holder’s part.

Your thoughts???

The fan should really file a lawsuit on Isaiah Thomas and the NBA. Fans are entitled to what they say and shout as long as it doesn't cross the line, and just spewing profanity isn't crossing the line.

Thankfully the teams and the league do not share your opinion.

https://www.nba.com/sixers/nba-fan-code-conduct

[Vox_Populi]

I don't think the fan should have been banned a whole year, but this does seem like another classic case of play stupid games and win stupid prizes.