ATLANTA (92.9 The Game) -- The proximity of the fans to the court and players makes the NBA one of the most unique experiences across all sports, but sometimes it can put players and fans in difficult situations.
On Monday night in Salt Lake City, Oklahoma City Thunder star Russell Westbrook had an altercation with a pair of Utah Jazz fans. A fan allegedly shouted derogatory remarks at Westbrook, who responded by standing up and shouting back several obscenities at the fan and his wife.
Atlanta Hawks GM Travis Schlenk addressed a series of recent incidents in the NBA with "John and Hugh" on Tuesday.
"One of the great things that make the NBA great is the connection that the fans can have with the players," Schlenk said. "In no other sport are you exposed to the players as you are in the NBA. In no other sport are the players as accessible to the fans."
However, Schlenk believes there should be a boundary for both fans and players.
"The NBA certainly does take this very seriously, that there are lines that can't be crossed on both sides," Schlenk said. "Fans certainly have the right to go heckle players in a clean manner. When they start crossing the lines to what are socially disrespectful, more of not even (as) players but (as) human beings, I think that's obviously going too far and the NBA takes that seriously."
Schlenk said that line of respect goes for everyone. New York Knicks owner James Dolan recently appeared to ban a fan from attending future games at Madison Square Garden after the fan yelled, "Sell the team."
"It goes the same way for players and certainly owners and executives; they can't cross the line back towards the fans," Schlenk said.
"Mr. Dolan didn't do anything verbally, but I think the actions came across childish in my opinion."
The incident involving Westbrook in Utah on Monday night definitely crossed a line, and Schlenk said it's one the NBA should -- and will -- address on both sides.
"It's when (fans) start taking shots at your family or saying stuff to your kids, that's when it starts crossing a line," Schlenk said.