Yahoo Movies Rajon Rondo's brother ejected from Lakers-Rockets for heckling Russell Westbrook
Even inside the bubble, Russell Westbrook can’t escape hecklers.
LeBron James was at the free-throw line in the fourth quarter of Game 5 between the Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets, Westbrook turned around and exchanged words with someone in the stands at the AdventHealth Arena.
Rockets’ Russell Westbrook repeatedly shouts “Who you talking to?” at Rajon Rondo’s brother who was seated in front row & supporting Lakers during Game 5. Austin Rivers adds, “You’ve got to go” before security escorts him out. NBA has policy restricting bubble fan conduct pic.twitter.com/w9Wb3tCXCd
— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) September 13, 2020
Security asked Rajon Rondo’s brother to leave the stands after he exchanged words with Russell Westbrook. pic.twitter.com/5jG1hkInN6
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 13, 2020
That heckler? William Rondo, the brother of Lakers point guard Rajon Rondo. Prior to the verbal incident, Rajon picked up a technical foul.
Security asked William to leave the guest seating area. According to Marc Spears of The Undefeated, William is in charge of the barbershop inside the NBA bubble at Walt Disney World.
With friends and family arriving late last month, the NBA reportedly issued a memo warning teams “no profane or objectionable language” from guests at games.
After the game, Westbrook addressed what happened, per Spears:
“People at the game are supposed to shut their mouth and watch the game. That’s the rules. (Rajon) Rondo was talking s***. So, he decided to hop in, too.”
As for what exactly was said by William, Rajon explained his brother simply called Westbrook “trash.”
“He didn’t say anything crazy, raise his voice and cuss (Russ). He called the man ‘Trash.’ As players we get away with manipulating the game and manipulating the referees as if we are being attacked. I’ve done it in the past,” #Lakers @RajonRondo to @TheUndefeated on his brother.
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) September 13, 2020
Rajon Rondo added to @TheUndefeated that while he is bias with his brother in question, he asks that NBA security talk to the fans sitting nearby about what happened and that the only reason why his brother was heard was because it’s a quieter bubble environment.
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) September 13, 2020
This isn’t the first incident with a Rondo and the Rockets. During the 2018-19 season, Rajon was suspended three games for spitting and throwing punches at Chris Paul.
With the Rockets losing 119-96 in Game 5 and the series to the Lakers, Westbrook will avoid any awkward interactions with one of William’s barbers the next time he’s looking for a haircut.
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