Six-time NBA All-Star DeMar DeRozan appeared to get into a heated altercation at a Los Angeles sushi restaurant on Friday night, and police reportedly had to get involved.
In video obtained by TMZ, the 35-year-old Sacramento swingman is seen having to be separated from a man who says to give him his phone — after which DeRozan appears to lunge at him.
A woman in a grey sweatsuit is then heard telling the three-time All-NBA player “it’s not worth it” as DeRozan backs into a more private part of the restaurant.
It’s not clear what sparked the former Toronto Raptor to react the way he did but clearly something rubbed him the wrong way about this interaction.
Fans reacted to the 28-second clip online.
“People forget DeMar DeRozan is from Compton,” a user said.
“Folks gotta learn to respect boundaries,” another replied. “Just cause they famous don’t mean they owe you consideration!”
“Leave people alone man,” a fan commented.
“Demar is 6’7 230 lbs. why would you pick a fight with that?”
“Demar DeRozan is my favorite player in the league until further notice,” another person laughed.
“Don’t go up to anybody, celebrity or not, and just shove a phone into somebody’s face, especially with a bright light on,” another user posted. “There’s a thing called personal space. I’m sorry but DeMar had every right to knock the dude’s phone away.”
“No way he called him ‘my hero’ after getting his legs tossed in the air like that.”
“I ride with DeMar DeRozan,” another fan stated.
© Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images
The league will undoubtedly be taking a look at this in the coming weeks. The Kings’ season ended on Wednesday when they lost to the Dallas Mavericks 120-106 in the NBA‘s Play-In Tournament.
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