After a career night, Westbrook stonewalls reporters, execution style
Last night, Kevin Durant, Serge Ibaka and newcomer Dion Waiters combined for a whopping 84 points, but it was Russell Westbrook’s career night–17 points, 15 rebounds, 17 assists–that propelled the Oklahoma City Thunder to its biggest victory of the season: a home win against the Conference-leading Golden State Warriors. One would think after a night like that, which included an almost magical missed dunk that somehow still converted into a made field goal, Westbrook would be pretty eager to talk about how well he and his teammates played, especially considering their mediocre play as of late.
Wrong. When Westbrook got in front of his locker, everybody from ESPN to his hometown paper, The Oklahoman, gathered to chat up the excitable point guard, and they all pretty much got the same answer: “good execution.” One guy got a different answer, but in hindsight, we’re pretty sure he’s wishing he had just settled for “good execution” too.
Reporter: Are you upset with something?
Westbrook: No, I just don’t like you
Reporter: You don’t?
Westbrook: No
Reporter: Do you not like Nick [fellow reporter] either?
Westbrook: I love Nick. But I don’t like you
When it comes to the NFL, Westbrook is an avid Dallas Cowboys fan–in fact, his last tweet reads “#cowboynation !!!”–but this appears to be his rendition of Marshawn Lynch’s post-game interview technique.
Westbrook’s attitude may have something to do with the fact that yesterday morning, after the Houston Rockets kicked the Thunder around for 4 quarters on Thursday night, The Oklahoman published a story debating whether or not their hometown team were “contenders” or “pretenders.” The story’s author, Darnell Mayberry, included this tidbit about Coach Scott Brooks‘ current bunch.
They look like nothing more than glorified imposters, a group of guys living on reputation and past achievements.
Zing! It should come as no surprise that the reporter that had the “I just don’t like you” exchange with Westbrook was Berry Tramel, also of The Oklahoman. Sure, he didn’t write the story, but he may have been collateral damage.
