Game 56: Phoenix Suns (33-22) vs. Dallas Mavericks (32-23)

[omahen]

https://streamable.com/tp0cyg

KD got called a bitch before the game and confronted the fans. Led to a pretty awkward and humorous encounter imo.

Am I the only one that thinks when NBA players respond to stuff like this it makes them look exceedingly soft. KD, Westbrook, Lebron, heck even Luka had a moment with that treadmill dude.

Fans should be allowed to talk shit. Of course there are lines not to be crossed but calling a dude a bitch isn't one of them. KD soft as hell.

On one hand "hackling" by fans has always been a part of sports culture, including yelling some things that are not really nice as in this KD example. But, real fans are emotionally involved and sometimes emotions get the best of you, even if one is generally a very nice person. Especially in areas where large groups of people merge sharing similar feelings (direct translation from Slovenian would be a herd instinct, but I am not sure if a different term is used in English to describe this). I was really surprised Luka reacted to that fan, because he grew up in areas where this kind of hackling would be considered as extremely mild. He played in arenas where 5000 or 10000 people is basically yelling you "death threats" in most colourful language possible for the whole game and which is considered as normal part of sports events. 

So in principal we want either players to be able to block-out any fans words thrown at them or we want the fans to be a very polite and emotionally controlled audience. But I think, the best case scenario would be both.

Players are playing the game for the fans. They are paid the money they are paid because of the fans. That is why it is never a nice look if they are the ones throwing the fans out of arenas. Imho they should be able to either accept or ignore the fans while always showing respect to them. I think KD reaction was quite ok. He expressed he doesn't like their behaviour (which is his right) but it doesn't seem he went any further than that (asking for them to be thrown - out, that imho would be wrong). 

I think arena security is the one that should monitor fans behaviour and act according to accepted rules. 

From team perspective. Most emotionally involved fans care most about their team winning and will try to contribute. By being loud, by cheering and so on. This kind of things (if whole arena is buying in) do impact players performance and that is why home court advantage is a thing. On the other hand, emotionally involved fans also cause most problems to the teams when their emotions get out of control. They might also drive other fans, who are not so emotionally involved, away from arenas. 

Looking from average European perspective. Atmosphere in NBA arenas looks "artificial" (as in not geniuine) to European audience. In European arenas real emotions are on display and most of the fans attending really do care for the team and winning is hugely important for them. Thats why European arenas are on average very loud and the atmosphere itself is a lot of time the reason that drives fans to games. Looking at US arenas from our perspective, it looks like the game is almost of secondary importance to the attendance. They clap and cheer when the big screens are saying them to do so. Otherwise they are there to have fun in the whole event, not just the game and result itself.

On a personal note. I attended games both in US and Europe. Not a fan of the loud atmosphere and herd instincts, although you can easily get drawn in the atmosphere and join the chorus. Especially when you have a drink or two   I was in the nose bleeds areas in US, so game experience was not great. Interesting, different then what I was used to, definitely nice memories. But, the most important thing for me is the game itself, not what is happening around it. That is why I actually prefer watching on TV. Which of course includes yelling at TV when players don't do as I think they should