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Harden upset by 'disrespectful' laser pointer incident

Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports

James Harden is not amused by the fan who directed a laser pointer at him Monday during the Houston Rockets' win over the Utah Jazz.

"That's just disrespectful, not just to a basketball player, anybody," Harden said Wednesday, according to ESPN's Calvin Watkins. "Whoever that guy was he wouldn't want to be lasered in the face, so that was disrespectful ... I'm just trying not to get blind."

Harden was shooting free throws when he pointed the fan out in the stands at Vivint Smart Home Arena during the third quarter of the Rockets' 93-91 victory. The person was escorted from the game by security and banned from NBA facilities for one year, according to a Jazz official.

"It's a NBA game, you got fans trying to watch some good basketball games, really talented, blessed basketball players out there on the court and you're trying to laser them, that's just crazy," Harden added.

Laser pointers can cause temporary flash blindness if shone directly in the eyes. In the state of Utah, it is a crime to point one at someone operating a motor vehicle or a police officer.

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