Oklahoma City Thunder star Russell Westbrook was only fined for instigating an altercation with the Utah Jazz’s Rudy Gobert.
Utah Jazz fans took to Twitter in droves on Tuesday to bemoan the NBA’s treatment of Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook. Specifically, they’re upset with what is being labeled by many as star treatment in response to his Game 4 shenanigans.
Per an announcement from the league, the reigning MVP has been assessed a fine in the amount of $10,000 for his involvement in a dust-up with Jazz center Rudy Gobert late in the contest. He was also assessed a post-game technical; whatever that means.
Now, that’s a hefty sum of cash to be sure (the T is more or less inconsequential at this point). However, some had been expecting (or hoping) a suspension would also be doled out.
That crowd may be onto something, too.
The offense in question occurred during a ball stoppage with just under eight minutes left in the fourth quarter. Gobert had made a move toward the basket, when he appeared to be the recipient of a low blow from OKC’s Raymond Felton, who was whistled for a foul.
As Gobert attempted to “walk off” the pain, Westbrook, who was waiting to check into the game, took it upon himself to leave the sidelines and get up into the Stifle Tower’s grille. He even went so far as to slap at the big man (lightly though it was).
Check it out —
Aside from the obvious confrontational aspect of all this, there was some question as to whether Westbrook had officially checked into the game, which is why people have been calling for the suspension. Leaving the sidelines when you’re not in the game to get involved in this kind of scrum is a major no-no per league rules.
Suspensions are the established consequence for this sort of thing and Westbrook clearly escalated the drama.
In the end, though, the league office decided that Westbrook had entered the game legally…I guess. For his part, the Thunder star claims to have heard the horn that’s used to signal a substitution.
Russell Westbrook on the skirmish being reviewed by the NBA, says he heard the horn blow before coming onto the floor: pic.twitter.com/hA9JoYXd45
— Erik Horne (@ErikkHorne) April 24, 2018
I never heard a horn, personally, but blasting ’80s music into my earholes on the regular has left my hearing in a diminished state. In any event, it’s not just Jazz fans and cuh-raaazy bloggers calling foul here. Some members of the hoops press aren’t digging the league’s actions here, either.
Patrick Ewing was suspended for standing one foot onto the court during a brawl. Russell Westbrook walked onto the court to confront Rudy Gobert and only gets fined. It's either a rule or not a rule. Pick one.
— Frank Isola (@TheFrankIsola) April 25, 2018
Next: Three-Point Threat Podcast ep. 30: Playoff madness!
Regardless, the NBA isn’t looking to suspend susperstars during the playoffs. Westbrook is good to go for Game 5 and, really, the Jazz are in firm control of the series at 3-1 anyway. So, if you’re backing the blue, green and gold crew, I wouldn’t sweat it.
But what do you think? Should Westbrook have been suspended? Does it matter? Was getting trolled by Mitt Romney punishment enough? Let us know what you think in the comments!