This Monday night, in the LA Lakers 107-99 victory over the Atlanta Hawks, LeBron James had an altercation with a pair of fans who were in preferential seats in the State Farm Arena dolg. During the final quarter of the match, an exchange of words ensued that involved the Lakers star and a fan who even took off her mouthpiece while shouting. The incident did not go unnoticed by officers, who stopped the match at the time.
“At the end of the day, I’m happy that some fans are back in the arena, I missed that interaction, I needed that interaction, we as players need it,” LeBron noted of the post-match incident. “There was an exchange of words between two adult men, each one saying what he had to say and then another person got in and she said her part.”
LeBron James enters with a fan, this is her after being kicked out of the Lakers Hawks game pic.twitter.com/NIdazlT6vY
– Clarence Burns (@ Burnsclarence11) February 2, 2021
State Farm Arena, home of the Atlanta Hawks, just allowed the re-entry of fans last week, at ten percent of its capacity. The team issued a number of rules for the reopening of the property, including, of course, the use of mouth covers at all times. This rule was broken by this group of people who removed their mouthpieces to call LeBron, in addition to the commotion, which caused security to take them out. According to the Hawks’ official report, four fans were kicked out of the game, including Juliana and Chris Carles, who exchanged words with LeBron.
“I don’t think they had to get them out. Maybe they had taken alcohol and got hooked when it was no longer about the game, so the officers did what they had to do. I don’t think getting up covers his mouth. bad, maybe to the closest ones. I wasn’t that close, neither were my teammates. I hope everyone is fine, safety comes first, “James added.
“It happened like when there’s an altercation on the track that looks bigger than it is, that was it. I think for sure there was alcohol involved on their part, that made them braver than they are,” he said. he said.
The NBA has been very strict in monitoring all security protocols during the pandemic, millions of dollars have been spent on testing and measures for the game to develop and despite this, 23 games have had to be postponed already in the that goes of the season.
Understanding the economic devastation and the need for the business to revive little by little, some cities have been easing restrictions, as in the case of Atlanta. However, the question remains as to how necessary it is to sell the seats on the court and have fans so close to the hurt and the players.
“You can’t have fans getting their mouths off and yelling at players, I don’t know exactly what happened, but I’m sure the league will analyze,” coach Frank Vogel said a little more worriedly.
LeBron grows up in the face of support or even animosity from rival audiences when they are visiting. The Lakers were in the final game of an extensive streak of seven games as visitors. Already in one of those streak games, when they faced their former team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, there was an event where a Cavs executive celebrated when LeBron failed. This did not go unnoticed by the superstar who was even more motivated and finished the game with a performance of 46 points.
“I love our fans, the Lakers nation and everyone who is against the Lakers nation as well. Having fans in the stands is better, it feels better for everyone, especially on the last day of a trip of 14 days, ”finished LeBron, who contributed 21 points in the Angels’ triumph.