In a press conference following the game, Kings Alvin Gentry head coach supports the Canadian athlete's request to remove the Grizzlies fan for saying 'inappropriate things.'
- Nov 30, 2021
AceShowbiz - Tristan Thompson is following in the footsteps of LeBron James to exact his power over the court. Having been heckled by an NBA fan during the game between Sacramento Kings and Memphis Grizzlies, the athlete had the fan removed.
The incident went down during the fourth quarter of the Sunday, November 28 game in Memphis. According to Sacramento Bee, game officials, Grizzlies personnel and NBA security stopped the game to have the fan removed after Kings guard Tyrese Haliburton shot two free throws with 9:38 to play in the fourth quarter.
Video from the scene shows Tristan looking upset as he pointed in the fan's direction and motioned to officials before security escorted him out of the building. The fan raised his glass and gestured to the crowd as he left the arena.
According to Memphis Grizzlies beat writer Drew Hill, the fan was ejected from the game after making comments about the Kardashian family while heckling Tristan. The Canadian athlete has been in an on-and-off relationship with Khloe Kardashian, with whom he shares 3-year-old daughter True.
Following the game, Kings interim head coach Alvin Gentry commented on the matter during a press conference. He said that the fan did say "inappropriate things," but did not confirm whether he was removed because he made jokes at the expense of the famous Kardashian clan.
"I think (when) you pay for a ticket you've got a right to boo guys, you've got a right to cheer for your team … but inappropriate things should never be what anyone should say," the coach said. "I don't think it needs to be talked about or anything, but obviously it's not anything that I'm going to tolerate people saying to my players, I know that, not without intervening and asking them to be removed."
He added, "They can say anything they want to me or they can boo and do everything they want with the players, but there's no room for saying inappropriate things in a sporting event. That's not why you're there."
The incident at the Kings vs. Grizzlies game comes just days after LeBron James had two Pacers fans kicked out from the court for making "obscene gestures and words." The individuals seemed unapologetic as the woman made a pouting face and crybaby motion in the Lakers player's direction while making her way out. The other one was laughing while walking behind her. Words were the female fan told the athlete, "I hope Bronny dies in a car wreck," referencing LeBron's son.
