Nicholson gets Court Rage at Lakers Rage

BBC ^ | May 11, 2003 | BBC

[Mister Magoo]

Nicholson gets court rage

Nicholson rarely misses a home Los Angeles Lakers game

Actor Jack Nicholson was almost evicted from an NBA basketball game after stepping onto the court and shouting at a referee.

The Oscar-winning star and Los Angeles Lakers fan was watching the drama of his team's playoff game against the San Antonio Spurs.

He got out of his seat and yelled at referee Mark Wunderlich during a break in the action after Lakers player Shaquille O'Neal was called for his third foul in the second quarter.

Officials said Nicholson - who plays an anger management therapist in his latest film - would have been thrown out if he had encroached onto the playing area.

"I pay a lot of money for this seat," Nicholson said.

"This is the NBA, you can't tell me to sit down."

The following day, O'Neal said: "I'm glad somebody sticks up for me - I appreciate it, Jack."

With his $500-a-game courtside seat, Nicholson rarely misses a home game.

The contract for his film Ironweed stipulated that producers must work their shooting schedule around the team's games.

Nicholson's latest movie, Anger Management, has taken $115m (£72m) at the US box office.

[TomServo]

Don't forget your golf clubs next time, Jack.

[InvisibleChurch]

"This is the NBA, you can't tell me to sit down."

now THAT makes a lot of sense

[hole_n_one]

[Thane_Banquo]

Looks like Jack needs some Anger Management.

[Colonel_Flagg]

Jack's got a point.

Don't these referees know that "Knees & Elbows" O'Neal is *never* supposed to get whistled?

What the heck were they thinking?

[Free ThinkerNY]

Jack has flown back to the Cuckoos Nest.

[Beck_isright]

Signs of a loser:

1. Getting mad at a NBA ref.
2. Doing movies with Billy Crystal.
3. Hugging dogs for cheap pub shots.
4. Asking directors to make Chinatown 3,4,5,6, etc...
5. Living in a top 5 media market without a NFL franchise.

Yup, that sums up old Jackie boy...

[hole_n_one]

Have you met circles yet?

[Archie Bunker on steroids]

JAck has sure started to develop a schlitz tumor. Maybe he ought to try Atkins.

[WKB]

The Court Jester??

[Colonel_Flagg]

Nope .. but thanks for the introduction :)

Shaq is the best reason I can think of to be a hockey fan. What he gets away with is just incredible.

[veryconernedamerican]

ah this guy can pretty much say or do whatever he wants at 15-20 million a year with a six month vacation. nobody has to listen though, notice he isn't making any political
statements. just talking a little crap to a ref. i love it.

[Trajan88]

... and the will power to stay away from the doughnuts.

Trajan88

[metalboy]

"I pay a lot of money for this seat," Nicholson said.

Which if compared to how much you got is like spending 5 cents.

[WarSlut]

Shaq is the best reason I can think of to be a hockey fan. What he gets away with is just incredible.

What's even more incredible is the man's outrageous sense of entitlement. The vitriol (the same, tired flopper BS) that flows from his mouth after every game in which he's called for more than two fouls is mind-blowing.

The day he hangs 'em up will be a great day for the NBA. The dude's a disgrace.

Kobe Bryant, on the other hand, is the best basketball player in the world -- bar none.

[weegee]

"Love me, I'm a liberal"

[Mister Magoo]

[weegee]

Looks like he's getting ready to "zot" the ref in that bottom photo.