Is There Such A Thing As Fan Misconduct?
Wizards center and SLAMonline columnist Etan Thomas wonders when the NBA will get serious about fans who go to far.
by Etan Thomas
How is it possible that what occurred at the end of Game Four of the Spurs/Jazz series did not become a serious a topic of discussion? It was briefly mentioned that the fans in Utah were upset with the disparity of foul calls, upset about flopping, threw some things on the court, then was dismissed as being part of the game. Almost to be expected.
It’s one thing to take pride in cheering your team on, but sometimes fans can take this whole sixth man thing way too far.
What exactly would it have taken for this to be viewed as a serious issue? If one of the San Antonio players responded with a punch after being hit with an unidentified flying object, then would we have seen much different coverage? Would the entire media then have been focused on ostracizing the player who reacted incorrectly and demonizing the entire current culture of NBA players as violent thugs? Would we have been inundated with various discussions on how terrible hip-hop culture is and the horrendous influence it has on young, NBA players? Would they have then imposed a more strict dress code to further improve the image of the NBA? Would we then hear suggested options such as maybe moving the seats back to protect the fans, or putting the bench in a protected box or Plexiglas shelter similar to the ones utilized in some countries overseas? If one of the players, after being struck with an object, picked that object up and threw it back, then would it be an issue? What if one of the objects cut a player’s eye, head, or seriously injured said player in any type of fashion? Then would it have been viewed as something that has no place in basketball?
I pose these questions to gain some clarity as to why, in fact, nobody viewed this as a problem.
According to an article in the Deseret News…
At the end of the game, the amount of debris being thrown was so bad, when ESPN sideline reporter Michelle Tafoya tried interviewing Spurs forward Tim Duncan, Coach Gregg Popovich grabbed all of his players and quickly ushered them into the locker room.”
The article goes on to say…
“In all, after several eyewitness accounts from media members, Energy Solutions Arena security guards and ushers, here’s a list of some of the items that were tossed: empty water bottles, coins, wrappers, Carmex, towels and soft mini basketballs.
Some of these items were thrown at Spurs players as they left the floor, while others were thrown at referees Steve Javie, Joe DeRosa and Ken Mauer.
Two fans were taken away in handcuffs after an incident near the portal where the refs left the arena. One of those men was eventually cited for throwing a water bottle, according Salt Lake City lieutenant Steve Cheever, who added it’s not that uncommon for that to happen.”
Maybe there is going to be an ongoing investigation and I just missed that announcement. Maybe they are going to utilize security cameras and find the people who were throwing the various items at the players and prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law. Maybe they are going to take the necessary steps to insure the safety and welfare of the players, and guarantee the players a safe working environment.
After the Detroit/Pacers melee, David Stern issued some of the harshest punishments on record. He made the point clear that this type of behavior was not going to be tolerated in the NBA. He issued the statement: “We have to make the point that there are boundaries in our games. One of our boundaries, that have always been immutable, is the boundary that separate the fans from the court.”
Does that only become applicable when a player reacts to a fan, but not the other way around?
We are expected to maintain control no matter what is done, said, or thrown at us. No matter what type of abuse, verbal, physical or otherwise, we are expected to remain professional. We have to be the ones who rise above tolerated ignorance and endure various forms of maltreatment? The fact of the matter is, we are professionals and don’t have to endure an ounce of the abuse that our predecessors had to, but we are in 2007, not the 1960s. This is not something that should happen in today’s arena of sports.
My question is, why are the fans given somewhat of a free pass to conduct themselves in any inappropriate manner? Because they purchased a ticket? Why aren’t the fans required to handle themselves in a manner that promotes the healthiest environment possible? Players should not need protection from the fans.
Usually the fans are great. Cheering their teams with great passion and energy is something that players welcome with open arms. Players feed off the energy from their fans. Hearing the roar of the crowd, the cheering, the passion, that’s what makes the entire atmosphere of the arena special. Playing in a hostile environment on the road is a challenge that makes the game what it is. That makes the fans feel like part of the game. But when that line is crossed, the necessary steps have to be taken to ensure the safety of everyone involved.
David Stern also said after the Detroit/Pacers melee, “We have to do everything possible to redefine the covenant between players and fans, and between fans and fans, and make sure we can play our games in very welcoming and peaceful settings.” He added, “The NBA also has to redefine the bounds of acceptable conduct for fans attending our games and resolve to permanently exclude those who overstep those bounds.”
I am hoping it doesn’t take an ugly incident of retaliation by a player for this to still be viewed as an overall priority for our League.
Etan Thomas is a center for the Washington Wizards and a columnist for SLAMonline.com. You can order Etan’s book “More Than An Athlete” on amazon.com here and through his publisher here.
62 Responses to “Is There Such A Thing As Fan Misconduct?”
May.31 at 12:35 pm
Joe_X says:
*yawn* Etan poses too many questions when he writes. And this was just boring.
May.31 at 12:37 pm
Brandon H. says:
First!
May.31 at 12:39 pm
Sesa says:
Hi Ethan.
May.31 at 12:40 pm
Alex says:
Rhetorical questions sometimes could be better than any answer out there. Good article Etan. Fans throwing stuff on the court should be banned for life from any NBA areana.
May.31 at 12:43 pm
Sesa says:
I forgot, Etan doesn’t do discussion in here did he?
Should the court be protected by clear glass? I think it’s the safest way for both players and fans.
May.31 at 12:56 pm
Goody says:
My professional view Etan is that when we go onto the floor in the WNBA we are more approachable and it gives the fans a more respectable view of us as athletes. Just be thankful that we don’t play overseas where there is no protection at all. Try water bottles thrown at you, whistles being blown during the game, fans running on the floor, smoking in the arenas. I’ve had several security incidents as a professional but it comes with the territory. Thank God the fans don’t riot like overseas. We’ve got it good. Love you boy
May.31 at 1:26 pm
The King says:
Etan,
Your argument here has one fatal flaw. While you are right that what the fans are doing is wrong, your argument is illogical. Yes David Stern comes down hard on players who break the fan/court barrier - this is because he has jurisdiction under the CBA to punish NBA players. He has no jurisdiction over fans. Should these fans be subject to the fullest extent of the law- with all the problems out there, does it make sense for police to look through security cameras, track fans and prosecute them to the fullest extent— this would be a bad use of resources and in the interest of being balanced, were Artest, Jackson et al. punished to the fullest extent of the law (e.g. police and courts not Stern’s law)- no.
May.31 at 1:28 pm
Oliver says:
Its the same in every sport- Athletes are paid millions of dollars so they do not react and they certainly should not under any circumstances- the fans are responsible for their actions by law- and prosecutions happen for fan misdemeanour- I’m not sure what else to say- free speech entitles fans to be able to say pretty much whatever they want to an athlete as long as he doesn’t break any law doing so- after all it is the fans that pay the wages and if they feel the players are not doing a bang up job are they not entitled to let them know? As far as name calling i think its the old saying ’sticks and stones may break your bones….’ And as far as throwing objects- fans are answerable by law for their actions- as they would be if they threw a bottle at somebody in the street-
May.31 at 1:31 pm
stu says:
good article, etan, i completely agree with the sentiment expressed here. i get so angry when i go to a game and some fan nearby is screaming like a maniac at a certain player, and not just voicing his disapproval of his game: calling him names, calling his mother a whore, all kinds of stuff that is utterly ridiculous, having nothing to do with basketball, just hateful. i don’t understand what makes people think they can go to a sporting event and treat human beings in a manner that would be completely unacceptable anywhere else.
i suppose part of it is frustration; i can see how someone who is unhappy with their job, marriage, or life in general, and has a lot of pent-up anger, might see a bunch of young guys making millions of dollars to play a game as a viable outlet for their abuse.
what really pisses me off about the whole thing, though, is the sense of entitlement these people have - it’s as if some people think that, as etan mentioned, because they pay for a ticket, and pay for beer and food etc, they can do and say whatever the hell they want. sorry, but i don’t care if you pay $5000 for a seat, you still ought to carry yourself with some shred of decency.
when the detroit brawl happened, i was angered to the point of screaming at the tv. why didn’t any announcer or sportscenter anchor mention anything about how completely classless and idiotic the fans acted? not just the one who threw the beer and the one who came onto the court. what about all those people pouring drinks and food onto the pacers players as they walked towards the locker room, including those players who had nothing to do with the brawl? ok, you’re upset that some of the players went into the stands, so, hmmm…let’s respond by escalating the situation as much as possible.
i think sternbot should institute a new rule, since he’s so fond of ironclad disciplinary regulations: you throw something onto the court, you’re banned from nba games for the season. i realize there are many problems with this suggestion in terms of how to enforce it; i’m really just saying something needs to be done, something concrete and rather harsh.
May.31 at 1:34 pm
hartadi says:
well ethan, seeing how BIG you are, i wouldnt dare trying to throw anything at you…..seriously
May.31 at 1:34 pm
Illy_Philly6 says:
HEY Etan write about why you hate Brendan Haywood!!! Should we ban him cause he threw a punch at you in Practise??? HAHAHAHA!!!
May.31 at 1:45 pm
Oliver says:
Hey stu- i agree with you completely about the lack of class- Especially as people take their kids to watch these games and their kids have to listen to these worthless idiots swearing and making everyone elses life a misery- Its not the athletes i feel sorry for in this situation though- they are big enough to look after themselves, its the nice, normal fans that go to the game and are utterly intimidated by the toothless morons who think its clever to swear- voicing an opinion about how a guy stinks is fine in my eyes if its done with a shred of decency - that i think is the main problem with sports (i’d love to invite Ethan to a football match here in England-NBA players have it good- stop complaining)
May.31 at 2:14 pm
Dblizzy! says:
I think they should stop serving alcohol at all sporting events. I know it’s not illegal to have a beer, but people abuse it and that’s what leads to a lot of the nonsense. I was at a baseball game the other day. Watched this guy down like 6 beers and his heckling got nastier after each one.
May.31 at 2:25 pm
rob stewart says:
I do think they need to put more space between the fans/media and the players. Especially on the baseline. They probably won’t do that until a superstar gets seriuoslay injured by running into a camera or a player falls on top of a kid
May.31 at 2:28 pm
white hot eboy says:
Dblizzy!, you’re right, no alcohol at sporting events should have been mandated years ago. Years ago, I was in a 20 person brawl in Shea Stadium at a Mets game during a 4th of July game. Almost everyone I was with was drunk as fu*k and the other group of people were drunk too. Myself and two other people in our group awere non-drinkers and we still wound up being bruised and scratched up from the melee. The reason for the fight….someone spilled a beer on the person if front of them. Nothing good can happen when alcohol is involved in huge crowd events. And I know, people will use the excuse, “we’ll I don’t act up when I drink” but that’s not the point. People can be ignorant, drunk or not, but why add to the stupidiy of some just to appease some people’s urges to make it a “better” time.
May.31 at 2:48 pm
Dblizzy! says:
@Eboy
I guess it all comes down to money in the end like everything else. Beer companies are big sponsors, they would stand to lose a lot of cash. Maybe a no beers after the first quarter/4th inning kind of deal??? To make it fair to the alchies.
May.31 at 2:53 pm
stu says:
two things about banning beer: as Dblizzy said, too much money from sponsors to do that (how many beer commercials do you see during ANY sporting event?). also, you can’t regulate whether people drink before the game, so they would simply get trashed before hand, and probably smuggle in flasks as well. i know i would (i just wouldn’t act like an a**).
May.31 at 2:58 pm
Garrett says:
I don’t think you have to ban beer at games…definitely make sure you have adequate police and security…fans should be dealt with appropriately. If not, soon we will be watching games from behind a fence or some other barrier. It does feel like the relationship between players and fans has been escalating for a couple years now.
May.31 at 3:00 pm
bike says:
A little perspective here if you will. Fans throwing nerf basketballs and candy wrappers on the court after an emotional loss is different than the occasional fan that throws something, say a bottle, at a player with intent to harm. Every sporting event I have ever been to bans throwing anything on the field/court and fans are warned that they will be expelled if caught doing so. So it’s not like fans go unpunished if they get too out of hand–that’s what security is for. This seems like a somewhat meaningless article by Etan…
May.31 at 3:04 pm
white hot eboy says:
Dblizzy, you’re right about the money aspect in the arena’s, but I doubt it would affect tv monies for the NBA (although football and baseball have huge beer commercial revenues). If only everyone could just be well-mannered for a couple of hours…..
May.31 at 3:09 pm
Frees says:
Yeah I feel real sorry for players that get paid 8 million and might get hit by some Carmex….
May.31 at 3:10 pm
Dblizzy! says:
Stu, you’re right about the getting drunk beforehand. Most people probably do that already and just use the stadium drinks to put them over the edge! Maybe they can have alcohol and non-alcohol sections of stadiums/arenas.
May.31 at 3:12 pm
Matthijs says:
I’m from Europe, The Netherlands. We’ve got soccer brawls all the time, allthough many measures that have been taken seem to have a pretty good effect. Two of the most effective ones are: 1) A personalized clubcard, so every fan in the arena is known by the club and the authorities. You need a club card to go to games, well, some games that are played between clubs that have a reputation of having friendly fans (they exist) are open for all buyers, but most games require a club card to buy a ticket. 2) If somebody misbehaves (like throwing stuff on court or fighting with other fans), camera register all actions, as well as stewards. A fan can get banned for many years from the stadium when misbehaving. Since you need a clubcard, this is easy to do. Those two measures have been really effective. Off course, this is Europe. I know Americans detest the idea of a personalized clubcard (which, off course, also gives you discounts on tickets for international games and merchandise), since it eats away at the idea of freedom. Well, perhaps freedom needs some realistic boundaries as well, to be truly enjoyed. But that’s another discussion.
May.31 at 3:16 pm
Alchy.... says:
I don’t think alcohol was the problem in Utah…maybe Joseph Smith Jr read that fans sound throw things in those gold scriptures and told the people to do it….
May.31 at 3:21 pm
Enigmatik says:
Great post. Sadly, it will probably take another instance of a player reacting to this nonsense for any real attention to be shown to this issue.
May.31 at 3:24 pm
Homie says:
@ The King - What ET’s getting at (IMO) is that, while David Stern might not have direct control over prosecuting fans for their conduct, he does have control over the security rules and regulations that the NBA surely mandates their arena owners follow (ie what constitutes a kicking-out offence, banning from the stadium, etc). I can’t imagine that an image conscious entity like the NBA wouldn’t dictate terms like this to ensure things are level across the board, and not be percieved as being biased towards certain fans in certain markets. So in a not-so-direct manner, he can impact how fans will be punished for acting inappropriately. And just to add to this conversation, I admit I occasionally like to heckle when I go to NBA games (which isn’t as often since the Grizzlies left town). But, I NEVER swear, and try to be funny above all else. ‘You Suck’ just isn’t that challenging, but making fun of a sweater that a guy on IL is wearing can be funny.
May.31 at 3:30 pm
The King says:
I’m not disagreeing with you. I go to a lot of games and it is very rare (especially in the lower bowls of stadiums) to have really bad behaviour. Security is pretty good about kicking people out who are out of hand. Stern could mandate additional security, but it would make a marginal difference. Etan is making it sound like this is a systemic problem and its not. I like Etan as a player and as a personality, I think he is just barking up the wrong tree on this one.
May.31 at 3:30 pm
The King says:
I’m not disagreeing with you. I go to a lot of games and it is very rare (especially in the lower bowls of stadiums) to have really bad behaviour. Security is pretty good about kicking people out who are out of hand. Stern could mandate additional security, but it would make a marginal difference. Etan is making it sound like this is a systemic problem and its not. I like Etan as a player and as a personality, I think he is just barking up the wrong tree on this one.
May.31 at 3:39 pm
RM # 0 says:
I feel you Etan, but you should realize that this in no way compares to some of the a**holes in Europe who are calling themselves fans
May.31 at 3:39 pm
Will says:
Maybe OSHA needs to get involved. I am also hoping it doesn’t take an ugly incident of retaliation by a player for this to still be viewed as an overall priority for the League. While it’s good that Etan is calling this out in a blog post, what followup actions is he taking to ensure that this area of concern is addressed? I’m sure the players association would be able to get the ear of David Stern… Also, there’s a big difference between throwing a coin and throwing a plush toy ball
May.31 at 3:40 pm
Ken Mauer says:
Wow Etan, you’re smarter than you look!
May.31 at 4:21 pm
Allenp says:
damn, the level of ignorance of some of the people who posted here is sad. I’m glad Etan mentioned this, I brought it up myself in a comment about that game on this website.
The fact is, if you are going to hold players accountable for behaving properly, then you need to hold fans to the same standards.
MOre importantly, David STern does have jurisdiction over fans. He can ban them for life, for a year, whatever. He banned a guy for calling Mutombo a monkey. See, the difference is, nobody thought Mutombo deserved to be called a monkey, on some level people think it’s not that bad to throw stuff at fans.
It’s wrong, and borderline racist considering the racial makeup of fans and players. There is something wrong when people think that they are allowed to inflict bodily harm on someone because they are unhappy..
May.31 at 4:25 pm
Ryan Jones says:
THANK YOU, Allenp
May.31 at 4:27 pm
Allenp says:
Ryan, the website ate another of my long ass rants. What’s up with that?
May.31 at 4:53 pm
Ryan Jones says:
Mine too — and I wrote damn near the same thing you wrote just before I saw your post. I have NO idea what’s wrong with this site sometimes, but as always, I blame SAM RUBENSTEIN.
May.31 at 5:00 pm
Danny W UK says:
Same here. To sum it up, bring back AC Green, suspend ‘Sheed, Ron Ron, and all the other por role models.
May.31 at 5:00 pm
Danny W UK says:
poor
May.31 at 5:19 pm
ikemob22 says:
Players are ppl too im the kinda chick who says see me after the game! fans need to watch there actions bcuz they are soo quick to wanna file suit when they are pushed pass by a player but then they wanna get hostile bcuz they lost a game they werent even playing in come on?… i could easily make this a race issue bcuz I mean the game was in “white lake city” but i wont go there.
May.31 at 5:31 pm
Boing Dynasty says:
This “Etan” guy is a bit of a whinner.
May.31 at 5:42 pm
Drew says:
Fan controll? If you players are able to throw punches in practice, why should the fans behave when their team gets hosed? I’m a Syracuse fan and alumn, but this opinion is totally wrong, Etan. I guess everybody has their opinion though.
May.31 at 5:54 pm
Cub Buenning says:
I have to blame myself on this one, as i failed to watch the “actual” end, as I had not only said, “game’s over” but was probably already banging the keys by that time. My wife gives me endless sh*t about making sure I watch every second due to the strange happenings/fight factor.
Regardless of what is being thrown, that type of behavior is borderline first grade. The fact that the players are subjected to the potential physical abuse (regardless of regional severity)should not be tolerated by the LEAGUE. Ban the fan, not the booze. I like Allen’s take on the banishment theory.
May.31 at 6:07 pm
ikemob22 says:
Danny W UK- ur an idiot I could care less about basketball players being role modles I like the drama and the bad boys in basketball makes it worth watchin its like we watch TNT for Charles outta line commentary what is basketball without Sheed press conferences and post game “quotes” Please. If Ron wasnt playin what would we have to talk about? Dnt take away my Alcohol dnt take away my undignified players just band the rowdy fans and keep it pushin!
May.31 at 6:23 pm
Ben says:
Hey Alchy… Way to be the @$$hole who brings religion into this! I have watched ,any sports games outside of the State of Utah and many times things are thrown on the court. For you to make a comment like that is just Biggotted!
May.31 at 6:47 pm
oliver says:
agree with Allenp- fans should just be banned for life- cant say i agree with the borderline racist thing though- a bit generalised and over the top-
May.31 at 6:51 pm
ALX8725 says:
lame jazz fans
May.31 at 8:26 pm
true says:
Disrespect doesn’t come with a price tag.
May.31 at 9:09 pm
IllyPhilly6 says:
Eh, Etan write about why you hate brendan Haywood!!
May.31 at 10:30 pm
Atma Brother #1 says:
Nice piece Etan. Thanks for dropping knowledge. The NBA Has a Fan Problem
http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/story/2007/5/29/1414/07494
Jun.1 at 12:17 am
Alchy.... says:
Ben I was merely defending alcohol, it seems to be taking the blame for all incidents in arena’s, but I was indicating that the probably wasn’t the reason for the actions of the Utah fans as most of them don’t drink due to their religion…so I imagined some other reason….seemed plausible
Jun.1 at 9:47 am
The King says:
to AllenP and Ryan, the lower bowl comment was not meant to be to refer to the ethnic makeup of the lower bowl, rather the fact that it is easier to hit a target from the lower bowl as opposed to the upper bowl (apologies for any confusion). That said, although Stern may have banned a fan…I question whether this is actually enforceable…again does Stern have jurisdiction to ban a fan from a game (this is a legal issue that would fall within a grey area)…whether he has the ability to ban a player is not a grey area- he clearly has jurisdiction. Just to clarify, there I am not imoplying that it is ok for fans to throw things…I consider this assault. That said, how many assault charges actually stick and end up being prosecuted…So all i’m trying to say is for Etan to want these people dealt with to the fullest extent of the law may not be appropriate when every day assaults are not being deal with to the fullest exten of the law.
Jun.1 at 11:35 am
Mark says:
white lake city ? so didn’t you just make it about race? NIce move OJ
Jun.1 at 1:26 pm
k1ngsav says:
I just Wonder if there would have been more media coverage or outrage about this situation if it had occured in chicago, detroit, new york etc.. Cities that directly respresent the culture of the NBA and Not in Salt Lake City, Utah, Etan is very right and I have a feeling he wanted to say that but chose not to. If this had occured in a major Urban city, this would have be blamed in HIP HOP culture or something. Just goes to show how biased the media is.
Jun.1 at 2:31 pm
ThisIsWhatISay says:
@bike
The article states that bottles, coins, and other objects were thrown AT the players and refs. That is a little different than throwing trash on the floor. The court is not your house. You think those fans, players or refs are the ones who are going to pick up that junk? Fans need to have respect. We all know that if this happened in more “urban” areas, we wouldn’t hear the end of how fans are the new “thugs”.
Jun.1 at 3:01 pm
Mark says:
well that is not true. Back in the 03 finals some clown from san antonio threw a brick in the pistons bus - - and the spurs fans threw stuff at players before - it happens quite often actually - not to the extent it did in Utah or in the ruckus that occured with Indy Detroit — but it happens all the time.. Vernon Maxwell punching a fan - etc… IF one of the Spurs would have charged the stand then it would have gotten the same coverage that Indy Detroit did - stick that bogus race card back in your pocket. It doesn’t apply here.
Jun.1 at 3:43 pm
MALONE_FT_CLOCK says:
the league needs to hire dikembe to stand by the teams bench to protect them from fans throwing things. he would swat the battery back in someones face and say “get that sheeeet out of here!!”
Jun.1 at 3:54 pm
Preston says:
Isn’t the better question: when will the NBA get serious about players that go too far. You wack a guy’s arm…no way, a foul on me? You hit a guy’s head…no way, a foul on me? Player gets a blocking foul call within the restricted circle…coach says, no way, that was a charge! It’s getting old. Too much pandering to the refs. Duncan smiles when he gets the ‘bad’ calls and looks blank when he gets calls that he know he doesn’t deserve. Players are out of control. The fans are only doing what the players do. Players act like thugs, fans act like thugs.
Jun.1 at 8:58 pm
Sesa says:
It’s all about the rules. Players and Fans are humans, they have their own opinion and exercise it through their action. While the rules are made to make sure that their action does not get out of hand. So the rules had to be enforced in a right way.
Jun.1 at 11:56 pm
Stuie says:
@Likemob22 your an idiot. I dont mean this to sound sexist but its about basketball not your little soap oprea here. Take a little kid whose a big cleveland fan. You dont see Lebron James making a ass out of himself just so you dont get board. It would crush the kid. Its about basket ball and all this other stuff is just stupid.
Jun.29 at 4:59 pm
Jeff says:
You have a 25-2 discrepancy in free throw attempts in a 4th quarter of a game 4 playoff game and you can bet that there will be some upset fans in the stands.
What they did was not right but from what I understood most was directed at the officials and not the players. I have never known of Jazz fans purposely trying to hurt players in the past. I just think most were very upset about a lot of calls in that game.
Jul.15 at 11:24 pm
vatech fanatic says:
He’s right things should stay off the court if there not part of a game.
Mar.3 at 4:52 pm
garrett says:
utah has the best fans in the L
Mar.3 at 4:53 pm
garrett says:
utah has the best fans in the L