The 76ers fan who flipped off Thunder star Russell Westbrook an NBA season opener Wednesday in Philadelphia has offered an explanation for why he did it.
Philadelphia urologist Dr. Richard Harkaway wrote in a private Facebook post Thursday that Westbrook first called him names, which resulted in the double-bird response.
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“To all my FB friends who are seeing a picture of me on the Internet giving the finger to Russell Westbrook. Actually two fingers,’’ Harkaway wrote, via the New York Post . “Not as simple as it seems. I love to scream at the players and anyone who has been to a game with me knows this. Part of my charm. What you may not have seen on any of the video clips is what started the whole thing, which was Russell Westbrook saying ‘sit down f—ing fat boy’ when I stood up to boo.”
After Westbrook scored, he can be seen saying something, possibly a naughty word, toward the stands.
Sixers fan on baseline just gave Russell Westbrook the double birds after an and-1. Westbrook reaction: pic.twitter.com/KwTeswmFJv
— Erik Horne (@ErikHorneOK) October 27, 2016
“I am sometimes sensitive about my plumpness," Harkaway said. “I guess I got a little out of hand.”
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As for Westbrook, he decided to let the matter drop after the insult.
“I know, that’s crazy, right?” Westbrook said. “I turned a new leaf, though. I leave that alone, because that cost me $25,000 (a fine from the NBA) last time. The fan, he’ll be all right. They can say whatever they want to the players and do what they want, but my job is to play basketball, and that’s what I do.”