Until a Golden State fan pushed Kyle Lowry during the third quarter of Game 3 of the NBA Finals last night, it seemed like Drake had the title of “Worst Wealthy Courtside Fan” of this year’s playoffs all locked up. Not anymore.
Escorted out of Oracle Arena by team security last night, the fan who shoved Lowry has been identified as Golden State part owner Mark Stevens.
Fan pushes Kyle Lowry after he falls into the crowd
(via @ESPNNBA)pic.twitter.com/DYOWVAPym6
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) June 6, 2019
A venture capitalist, Stevens joined the Warriors ownership team in 2013. After he was identified, the Warriors confirmed his identity and issued a statement: “Mr. Stevens’ behavior last night did not reflect the high standards that we hope to exemplify as an organization. We’re extremely disappointed in his actions and, along with Mr. Stevens, offer our sincere apology to Kyle Lowry and the Toronto Raptors organization for this unfortunate misconduct. There is no place for such interaction between fans—or anyone—and players at an NBA game.
According to the team, Stevens will not be in attendance at any of the remaining games of the 2019 NBA Finals.
“There’s no place for that,” Lowry said afterward. “He had no reason to touch me. He had no reason to reach over two seats and then say some vulgar language to me. There’s no place for people like that in our league.”
In an Instagram post, LeBron James — who is not playing in the Finals for the first time in eight seasons — ripped into Stevens and called for the NBA to take action.
“There’s so many issues here,” James wrote. “When you sit courtside you absolutely know what comes with being on the floor and if you don’t know it’s on the back on the ticket itself that states the guidelines. But he himself being a fan but more importantly PART-OWNER of the Warriors knew exactly what he was doing which was so uncalled for. He knew the rules more than just the average person sitting watching the game courtside so for that Something needs to be done ASAP! A swift action for his actions.”
James continued: “Just think to yourself, what if Kyle Lowry would have reacted and put his hands back on him. You guys would be going CRAZY!! Calling for him to damn near be put in jail let alone being suspended for the rest of the Finals all because he was protected himself. I’ve been quite throughout the whole NBA playoffs watching every game (haven’t missed one) but after I saw what I saw last night, took time to let it manifest into my thinking I couldn’t and wouldn’t be quiet on this!”
Game 4 of the Finals will be Friday night in Oakland.
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