While fans having altercations thankfully remains a fairly rare occurrence in top level sport, the NBA can rival any other league for the amount of such incidents that occur.
The reasons for that are fairly obvious. Fans can purchase courtside seats that essentially see them sit alongside the team benches, meaning that players can easily hear everything that is being said about them.
Some take it too far, with supporters being kicked out of games due to their treatment of players being something that happens a number of times in a given season.
In saying that, starting an altercation with the entire bench of a given team is something that you don't often see. It is even rarer when the person at the centre of the incident is a well-known celebrity.
Shannon Sharpe starts altercation with entire NBA team
Shannon Sharpe is a very well-known personality in America, going from a three-time Super Bowl winner during a hugely successful NFL career to one of the biggest stars on Fox Sports.
His remit is not limited to American football on the broadcaster, with the 54-year old discussing a wide range of sports. He has a keen interest in the NBA, although he doesn't normally find himself as the centre of attention at their games.
That all changed last night.
Sharpe was in attendance at the Crypto.com Arena to take in the game between the LA Lakers and the Memphis Grizzlies, with the TV personality known to be close to Lakers star LeBron James.
He took his commitment to their cause a bit too far on this occasion. Sitting courtside at the game, Sharpe got far too animated over the course of the game. That included exchanging some words with Grizzlies player Dillon Brooks, with things quickly getting out of control.
Their entire roster quickly became involved in an altercation with Sharpe after New Zealander Steven Adams stepped up to confront him. The two parties would be separated by security, with the father of star player Ja Morant also getting involved.
Shannon Sharpe: "The fansth need ta understand theresth boundriesth Sthkip. Justh because you bought a ticket don't mean you can talk to the playersth any old way, Sthkiiip!"
Also Shannon Sharpe: pic.twitter.com/i85nopCxxm— The Foncé 😷 💉 (@ChocnessMonsta) January 21, 2023
https://t.co/YNOtQJbMRS pic.twitter.com/HeTpZrqnI2
— Malika Andrews (@malika_andrews) January 21, 2023
Shannon Sharpe wanted smoke with the Memphis Grizzlies whole team and Ja Morant’s dad‼️😳 pic.twitter.com/5QpG8Ps6o3
— Daily Loud (@DailyLoud) January 21, 2023
Shannon Sharpe and the Grizzlies shared words during Grizzlies-Lakers. pic.twitter.com/ziOPY5Z8ZN
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 21, 2023
Not something you'd expect to see.
Sharpe was led away from the court in order to cool down, although he things seemed to be forgotten ahead of the fourth quarter in the game. He would share a few words with Tee Morant and the pair appeared to have gotten over the altercation.
It's all love between Shannon Sharpe and Tee Morant. pic.twitter.com/iSNeikINp1
— ESPN (@espn) January 21, 2023
He thoroughly enjoyed the end of the game, with the Lakers pulling off a dramatic 122-121 victory.
Shannon Sharpe is loving life as Lakers steal a 122-121 comeback victory over Grizzlies pic.twitter.com/sEomLqlZmf
— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) January 21, 2023
He's lucky he didn't start another row.
Speaking to the media after the game, LeBron James did not seem to have a problem with his friend's behaviour on the night.
LeBron on Shannon Sharpe: “I ride with Shannon 365 days — 366 on a leap year — 24/7. So that’s my guy. I always got his back. And he’s got mine. He can talk with the best of them, for sure.” pic.twitter.com/bAHMuPZkix
— Jovan Buha (@jovanbuha) January 21, 2023
I ride with Shannon 365 days - 366 on a leap year - 24/7. That's my guy, I always got his back and he's got mine.
He can talk with the best of them for sure.
The Lakers will host the Grizzlies once again on March 8th, so it will be interesting to see if Shannon Sharpe makes another appearance on that night.
SEE ALSO: Mark Allen Defends Controversial Run-In With Referee At World Grand Prix
