Malik Beasley joins the list of players who faced the unrelenting wrath of Los Angeles Lakers fans. The guard is the fourth player who has now taken to social media to ask fans to leave his family alone.
He joins the likes of former Lakers stars Danny Green, Russell Westbrook, and Patrick Beverley, whose families were subject to some upsetting and scathing remarks.
Beasley and his family were victims of some harsh criticism after his poor outing in the team’s loss to the Chicago Bulls. The fans were in a punishing mood and posted hurtful comments on the player’s Instagram post where he wished his four-year-old son a happy birthday.
Westbrook, who now plies his trade with the LA Clippers was one of the players who were constantly under fire, and such was the toxicity from fans that even his wife, Nina Westbrook was included as their target.
The point guard’s average performances on days saw Nina receive death threats. Per Bleacher Report, she said she was “harassed on a daily basis.”
Like Beasley, Westbrook even came to his family’s defense when the fans were firing shots at the 34-year-old when he joined his hometown team. There was ample vitriol that was spewed towards him when fans booed and chanted “Westbrick” when he was attempting his shots.
Per Sports Illustrated, Westbrook leaped to his wife’s defense while also shedding light on the hate. “I 100 percent stand behind my wife and how she’s feeling,” the Lakers guard said. “This is just a game. When it comes to basketball, I don’t mind the criticism of missing and making shots. But the moment it becomes where my name is getting shamed, it becomes an issue.”
Now, the changes are distinct as Clippers fans have welcomed Westbrook with open arms, and his performances are testimony to how good he has been for his new side. The explosive guard even added for good measure that he was “blessed” to play for the Clippers.
One another former Laker who was caught in the toxic fan hurricane was sharpshooter Danny Green. His fiancee, like Nina, received death threats from fans who blamed him for his stretch of poor performances.
Former Laker, Patrick Beverley, was equally subjected to unwarranted flak from fans this season before he was shipped prior to the trade deadline. Earlier, he compared the fans of both franchises and felt he was more at home with the Chicago supporters.
And now Malik Beasley is asking Lakers fans to leave his family alone.
Nothing new for this fanbase. pic.twitter.com/6CsmJlUUxV
— Joey Linn (@joeylinn_) March 27, 2023
It’s one thing to be die-hard fans rooting for their respective teams to win, but it’s a whole other issue when things become heated and personal. Beasley is now one of the players who has raised his voice against callous treatment that’s meted out for no reason.
Lakers Fans Should Lean Toward Supporting Their Players Rather Than Calling Them Out
A decorated franchise such as the Lakers comes with massive expectations — ones that may not necessarily be lived up to, but sometimes fans have been downright torrid to the team for their performances.
It should be worth noting that the team has been a significantly better side than they were at the start of the season, and as the race for the playoffs heats up, it’s understandable that there is pressure on the players to perform.
That said, the outcome may not always be what’s expected, but Lakers fans could do well to tone down targeting families of players and maybe instead back them to the hilt. Wins and losses are part of the game, and while it’s preached, it’s seldom practiced.
Sometimes, the Lakers fans, as ardent and passionate as they are, could maybe take a cue from some of the other fanbases. Support in times of turmoil can be a blessing, and the Lakers need it now more than ever.
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