Russell Westbrook stands up for his son in angry confrontation with ‘shameless Lakers fan’
Russell Westbrook has said he stood up for himself and his family's name during another Los Angeles Clippers defeat.
Westbrook openly challenged a fan in the stands at the end of a 113-104 home loss the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday.
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Footage showed multiple fans shouting toward the veteran guard while the Clippers fell to 7-9.
Westbrook has had a series of confrontational moments with NBA fans and been increasingly vocal when standing up for himself.
"Having kids and understanding how important it is, not just myself, but my last name," Westbrook said.
"Understanding what Westbrook means, understanding how important that is to my dad, my grandfather, my family.
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"It's very important. It's something I stand on, and the respect is a big thing that I value.
"So the moment that line gets crossed, I won't allow [it] no more. I've stood for it for years, and now my son is old enough to know what's going on, asking me, 'Hey Dad, what does that mean? What's that?' Now I got to stand on it, and regardless of where I'm at, what's going on, I'm always standing on that."
The nine-time All-Star and 2016-17 NBA MVP has bounced across the league in recent years.
Westbrook has also had issues with fans while playing for the Washington Wizards and Oklahoma City Thunder.
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He had a verbal confrontation with a fan during the playoffs last year while playing for the Clippers.
"I understand fans are enjoying the game and feeling up to whatever that may be," Westbrook said. "I guess they feel they can kind of say whatever, but this is our job ... all the negative comments about family and things of that nature, I would kind of stay away from. But anything else, they can kind of say what they want."
Clippers teammate Paul George said that he understands paying fans have a right to express themselves.
But George questioned how NBA players are treated.
“Nowhere else can people go to someone’s job and disrespect you at your job and it be OK," George said.
Westbrook, 35, is averaging 12.3 points, 6.5 rebounds and 5.3 assists in 16 games (10 starts) for the Clippers this season.
He's made an estimated $340 million in the NBA since entering the league as a No. 4 overall pick in 2008.
The Clippers have struggled since trading for James Harden.
Los Angeles is ranked 11th in the Western Conference and 4-6 in its previous 10 contests.