[d-ravParticipant]

Thunder notebook: Russell Westbrook struggles after altercation with Kevin Durant

OKC THUNDER — Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook appear to argue on bench during a second-quarter timeout.

Westbrook never recovered and finished with arguably the worst performance of his career, scoring just four points on 0-for-13 shooting with six assists, three rebounds and four turnovers. Westbrook’s frustration appeared to have started with just 3 1/2 minutes remaining in the second quarter when he drove into the paint and kicked the ball out to Thabo Sefolosha in the corner. Sefolosha passed up a wide open 3-pointer, which prompted Westbrook to yell at Sefolosha “shoot the (expletive) ball.” Sefolosha and other teammates, including Durant and center Kendrick Perkins attempted to calm Westbrook down immediately during an ensuing trip to the free throw line. But the emotions spilled over to the bench one minute later. Durant appeared to again settle Westbrook, but Westbrook appeared to take exception to how Durant delivered his message. The two began shouting at each other and had to be separated. Durant patted Westbrook on the head when the two took the court out of the timeout, and the two seemed to communicate well throughout the rest of the game. “We’re going to disagree sometimes, like I’ve always been saying,” Durant said. “But I’m behind him 110 percent, and he’s the same way with me. And you seen when we came on the floor we clicked and everything started to work from there.” Westbrook was not available for comment after the game. He appeared to have exited the locker room before the media entered.

http://newsok.com/thunder-notebook-russell-westbrook-struggles-after-altercation-with-kevin-durant/article/3635701#ixzz1htsiMqHD

[marcusfizer21Participant]

 I used to not really hate Westbrook because I thought he is one of the most explosive and exciting guards in the league BUT things like this, being a chucker, REFUSING to pass the ball during crunch time, selfish plays, mental thinking like he is "the man" on the team, being "jealous" of Rose’ fame and MVP career had me thinking otherwise right now. 

[Sam_HinkieParticipant]

 So many Westbrook haters on this site … Lets trade him to the Pacers for Collison and granger

[Future_Scout]

i honestly think that westbrook is mad because durant gets the spotlight, he’s not cool with it, he wants it to be HIM AND durant show. so he’s going out there trying to hard to get the recognition HE DESERVED last year. he needs to learn to play his role and realize that’s not his team

[marcusfizer21Participant]

 I wouldn’t hate a player unless he gives me a reason to hate him… Westbrook has given me PLENTY…

[NYCrealdealParticipant]

blowing this out of praportion. i didnt see what hapened but in basketball things like this happen. ik sometimes when im having a bad game i get pissed. ive never yelled at my team mates but have yelled at the refs. westbrook probly got frustrated so he let his emotions ge the better of him. they still won the game and durant killed it. westbrook will find his way this year thunder will be # one in the west because of durant AND westbrook.

[Sam_HinkieParticipant]

 Its true that its not HIS team… but it is THEIR team.

Obviously Durant is the best player on that team, but Westbrook needs to do his thing if they want a championship.  Westbrook is who he is and if the Thunder don’t like that they should trade him. The dude is easily a top 5 pg, people need to stop complaining about him

[marcusfizer21Participant]

“Its true that its not HIS team… but it is THEIR team.”

that’s suppose to be the right mentality… but Westbrook thinks it’s HIS…

[Yo mammaParticipant]

Duck walks into a bar. Says to the bar tender, "I’d like to buy some peanuts." Bar tender says, "Sorry, don’t sell peanuts." The duck leaves.

 

Next day, duck walks into the bar, "I want to buy some peanuts." Bar tender replies, "I already told you I don’t sell peanuts!" The duck leaves.

 

Next day, the duck walks into the bar, "I want to buy some peanuts!" Bar tender yells back, "I told you, I don’t sell peanuts! If you ask one more time, I’ll nail you to the wall!" So the duck leaves.

 

Next day, the duck walks into the bar, "Do you have any nails?" Bar tender says, "Sorry, don’t have nails." Duck asks, "Do you have any peanuts?"

[Scottoant93Participant]

Honestly this is not suprising, The NBA is starting to become a drama reality show, where everyone wants to be the man, and be in a big market, and have all the spotlight. Really starting to get annoying.

[Sasha4MVPParticipant]

 I’m so glad I have him on my fantasy team…..0-13…..on the bright side at least he only had 4 TOs

[apb540Participant]

 For real.

[TRC1991Participant]

westbrook made the all-star team last year, what other recognition is he craving? russell needs to become a little bit more mature

[BleedingBlueParticipant]

 What Westbrook did today can literally be put into the dictionary and labeled ‘cancer on a basketball team’.

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

Westbrook = Marbury in the making.

[JNixonParticipant]

 Lmao what the hell, why is that guy posting random riddles and brainbenders on here??

 

[MagikKnickParticipant]

 haha, no clue….but the randomness of it is hilarious..

 

&I bet this is Westbrooks lasts season as an OKC Thunder, hes TO prone, a chucker, refuses to accept his role as the 2nd option, and he went 0-13…He’ll be gone by the trade deadline

[delfamParticipant]

 Westbrook and Perkins for Dwight Howard?

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

I don’t really have a problem with Westbrook taking a lot of shots… I mean, the Thunder need him to do that. Next to Durant and Harden, he’s the only scorer they have.

What I have a problem with is his decision making… He’s got to know when to pass, especially when it comes time to defer to Kevin Durant. He’s got to know how to run the offense.

I also think he has emotional issues…

It should be VERY intersting for OKC when it comes time to extend him.

 

[omphalosParticipant]

I think Westbrook should be relegated to the bench to provide scoring from there, and have Maynor and Harden as the starting backcourt. This way both players have the opportunity to shine and Westbrook’s selfishness won’t impact on Durant too much. Plus, you get a guy like Harden into the starting lineup who can not only score, but play a team game also.

But really, every game of his I watch nowadays I’m left with a bad taste in my mouth, to the point where I want the Thunder to lose if only to wipe that smug look off of Westbrook’s face. His antics around Rubio were indicative of his egocentric mindset and he was embarrassed by Jeremy Pargo of all people today.

I agree that he needs to be traded, and I see Boston as the most likely landing place. Both sides win really, Rondo comes in to orchestrate what will probably be a Thunder dynasty with him there, and the Celtics get a more scoring oriented PG who can put teams on his back. I know Rondo has shown improved signs lately, but he shouldn’t be a first option offensively, and it seems like the role he’s been forced into. Also, Rivers might just be able to get through to Westbrook where Brooks has failed, and Russ would at least be the unquestioned star of that team.

Alternatively, the Thunder could trade him to Phoenix for Steve Nash and their first-round pick. Given how poorly the Suns are predicted to finish the Thunder would have a chance to add a guy like Wroten, Kabongo or Teague (in that order IMO) to replace Nash when he retires, and have Nash ready.

Finally, I’d say Houston would be a good landing place for Russ; they are a team in need of a star and they have the young talent to really flesh out the Thunder’s roster; something along the lines of Flynn (probably the most desirable of 3 Houston PGs), Terrence Williams (to replace Harden’s role off the bench) and another young player (Budinger, Hill, Courtney Lee, Motiejunas).

Just spitballing, but the Thunder organisation have shown they are willing to trade away their building blocks if the right deal can be made, and Westbrook’s increasingly poor play for a player alongside a legitimate stud in Durant makes him a likely candidate for trade.

Durant is a big enough star to carry the burden without Russ if he has sufficient depth around him, and Harden makes a much more fitting running mate given his maturity and ability to play within the team concept.

[Jlv2011]

to win a championship this year, not mix up the roster.

[morgatilParticipant]

Jalen Rose said it best.  "Why not trade Westbrook for Rondo?" !!!!!!!

 

Ainge gets rid of Rondo.  Rondo is back with Perkins.  Move Harden to the starting SG. 

 

Rondo, Harden, Durant, Ibaka and Perkins sounds pretty solid to me.

[Meditated StatesParticipant]

They wanted Paul cuz he does it all. Westbrook does not. It would set the team back having him and not rondo. Only the thunder benefit in that trade. Garnett and PP would hate Westbrook

[apb540Participant]

I think a Rondo for Westbrook trade would really benefit the Thunder in the long run. 

[delfamParticipant]

 Westbrook’s scoring is needed though with Perkins/Ibaka/Sefolosha in the starting lineup. I feel getting Rondo would put to much pressure on Durant and Harden.

I really dislike Westbrook as a player but not sure what to do with him cause OKC needs his scoring.

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

I wouldn’t give up Westbrook and I think the Thunder should show faith in him by extending him… I wonder if he’s asking for the max?

Durant supports him and they have a very good relationship. Westbrook will mature, it’s just taking more time… He’s still pretty young.

 

[surveParticipant]

I am going to look at it from a perspective as when I was playing ball.  on a street level or HS level to a degree, the best player is the leader.  even in HS though, usually the point guard is the team leader, but sometimes the PG may not be a natural leader or vocal.  On the college and NBA level, you have to be a leader.  Usually that guy is the PG.  Sometimes you can see really bad struggles if your PG is not a natural leader.

Prime example.  Larry Drew II has talent, but he progressively got worse at UNC and the more his confidence wained, the worse he got.  This was compounded by the fact that Drew didnt appear to be a leader.  He surely wasnt vocal on the court.  He began to lose all respect from his teammates I believe.  Marshall is a natural leader, Barnes, Henson, Zeller, they have great respect for Marshall.  He is vocal and he knows how to communicate.

Now, everyone is different and therefore communicate different.  Some guys know how to get their point across nicely and its effective for them.  I believe Rose along with guys like Jason Kidd, Ty Lawson, etc are this catagory.  Meanwhile, others can flat get in your azz….MJ, Bird, Payton, etc…and current day…you have Kobe, CP3, and guys like Westbrook.  These are firery guys on the court and they show a lot of emotion or they are not afraid to hurt your feelings if they feel you are not doing as you are supposed to be.

KD is the best player, and it is THEIR team, but Westbrook is unquestionably their leader and has to be respected as that.  If the organzation feels thats cancerous, then get rid of him.  Personally, I dont.  Westbrook is a fierce competitor that hates to lose and despite the chucking….I think his mentality is to play winning basketball and to be the team’s floor leader.   You have to have a leader, the best ones are usually the PG’s.  In that regard, like it or not, it IS Westbrook’s team.

[surveParticipant]

 as far as the trades being mentioned….I wouldnt trade Rondo for Westbrook or vise versa.  I like them both where they are and thing they fit their teams just fine.

If OKC had Rondo, they would gain a true point guard with vision and the ability to dominate the game without scoring.  How would it affect the Thunder losing 22ppg from that position though?

If Boston had Russ, they have a guy that still brings defense, but also can score big from that position.  They suffer from a chemistry standpoint because of Russ’ ball dominant nature.

I would only trade those guys for someone deemed better than them, like CP3, DWill…

[surveParticipant]

 the only reason why PP and Garnett would hate Westbrook is because he would impede on what they do best, score.  what they do best is what Russ does best.  Rondo is not a scorer, so he is non-threatening to them from an ego standpoint.  if the big 3 were younger, it would be a different story, but Westbrook to the Celts automatically means he becomes their best scorer, and likely the go-to guy in the clutch.  not saying thats a good thing, but it can be bad for egos and chemistry.

I dont think Westbrook is selfish.  I think you are looking at him as how you would want him to be and not except him for what he is, he is not Chris Paul.  We probably wouldnt be having this conversation say if he played for the Bulls and DRose played for the Thunder.  We are basically bashing this guy because when he came to the Thunder, they already had a future star and MVP candidate.  Rose’s situation in Chicago was different.  Also, who expected Westbrook to be a 2nd team All-NBA performer so early after coming out of UCLA where he avg like 12ppg?

I will say, Rose is more unselfish than Russ when it comes to passing the ball and not taking a lot of shots….but I think that is actually hurting the Bulls more this year and it hurt them the year before last as well.   Last year when they won 62 games, Rose just carried the team, but you can see, thats not really what he wants to do, not to that degree…DRose wants to be more of a facilitator, the talent around him doesnt allow him to do it effectively yet in terms of winning a title.  When KD went down, the Thunder rarely missed a beat.  You really have to put that in perspective.  They were still rolling along after losing 30ppg.

Thats huge at this level.  Usually, you figure without KD, they dont beat anyone unless its the T-Wolves.  When Kareem was out the year Magic was a rookie….what happened?  Fast forward to present….everyone said Zach Randolph didnt play winning basketball up until last year, who wouldve thought he would take the Grizz as far as he did without Gay?  True winners keep winning, even when their star may not be around.  Russ may not be this and may not be that, but he is a winner.  How good do you think the Thunder would be if Russ missed 1/2 or more of the a season?

[Future_Scout]

 RONDO FOR WESTBROOK IS A GREAT TRADE! rondo lets durant and somewhat harden shine. makes plays for perkings, ibaka. on the other hand rusell westbrook scores for boston and delivers with kickouts for allen and garnett. garnett doesn’t want to be fed in the post, ray allen can only score off catch and shoot, PP is cant be as ball dominant as KD.

[Future_Scout]

^^ SURVE^^

idk what garnett you’re talking about, but as far as kevin garnett, scoring is NOT what he does best

[surveParticipant]

 I dont like the trade.  Rondo has the perfect blend of scoring around him to allow him to do other things that he does better than score.  Takes the focus off of him.  Rondo’s presence puts even more pressure on Durant and would likely cause him to be double teamed more effectively.  Also hurts your team worse if Durant is having a tough night against a Tony Allen-Artest type defender who gets in his chest.

The fact is, Harden is good but still not as good a 2nd option as Russ.  Also, the Thunder dont have much more on the offensive side, their other players a better at defending or facilitation.

For Boston, it takes away shots from the big 3, and just taking away 1 or 2 shots from each could be detrimental.  Also, Russ style of play and score first tendencies lead to less assists overall and limits the Celts in half court effectiveness.  They basically would like like a more talented version of the Cavs w/Lebron.

[surveParticipant]

 scoring may not be what Garnett does best NOW, because he is a great defender and rebounder and a good passer…but overall in his career, you take away his scoring ability and you’ve got Ben Wallace.  not bad, but not a top 50 all-time player either.  Scoring is a big part of Garnetts game and always has been.

[aamir543Participant]

Look, these guys in the NBA spend so much time together just Basketball-wise with practice and Game-day preperations, they are technically like family. And somtimes guys get into arguements. The funny thing to me is that he was initially jawing at Sefelosha for NOT taking an open three, and then Durant and Westbrook probably disagreed on somthing, and talked about it in the huddle, and jti may have gotten a bit heated.

Look they NEED Westbrook to score. Perkins, Ibaka, and Sefelosha don’t score much, so most of their scoring is going to come from Harden, Durant, and Westbrook. And look, even in that 0-13 performance, those weren’t bad shots. Most of those shots were quality decisions. Like right now, Westbrook is 0-3 already, but those aren’t terrible shots. The turnovers worry me, but he’ll learn with time. And I was just watching the game, and they were saying that Durant and Westbrook say they had a disaegreement, not an altercation. If you look at the video, than you will see Durant camly talking, and they say that everyone was jawing at each other, and with Durant’s take it easy off-the-court personality, I think that this will get resolved with time. But Westbrook just needs to undersgtand that Durant is the guy, and that he is the guy that takes over when Durant can’t, and as great as Durant is, there are going to be nights when he is going to be doubled and his midrange shot won’t be falling. In the end I think that they’ll be fine.

And Nowitzki is off to a great start, and I’m glad to see that he’s got his jumper going.

[Future_Scout]

 you forgot the quotation marks lol ^

[aamir543Participant]

What quotation mark?

[surveParticipant]

 you made a great point about Sefelosha, Perkins, and Ibaka, actually you just backed up my statements

"Also, the Thunder dont have much more on the offensive side, their other players are better at defending or facilitation." the guys you just named and Maynor fall into this catagory.  Nate Robinson is a good player, but there is a reason they let him go.  Why do they need him??? They dont need what he does best, score.

The point is, they have a great balance, they have 3 great scorers with Russ, Harden, and KD.  They have 3 great defenders with Sef, Perk, and Serge.  THEY NEED RUSS TO SCORE.

Russ just has to find the balance in his game, but he is young and really never played much PG before he got to the league.  If there is a call for Russ’ head, who do you get to replace him?  Finding a 2nd team All-NBA PG is not easy to do.

back on topic…your point about them being like family is excellent if not understated.  what family do you know that doesnt have arguments or disagreements.  they do this because they are close.  I would be worried if there is an extreme to the right or the left.  if there is too much arguing, thats bad, if they dont argue at all that means they are not as cohesive because if you are my brother, I should be able to tell you how I feel without you coming to the assumption that I dont love you.

Russ and KD are like best friends from what I heard.  Closer than anyone else on the team.  You really think a squabble or two makes them less of a unit?  Actually, they both said that they argue ALL THE TIME…did anyone catch that?  The difference is, they were actually in a heated exchange DURING a regular season game.  Also, did you guys know that although Russ is their floor leader and 2nd best player that the guys on the team consider him as the "Little Brother" of the team?  I dont think Russ has the ego that you guys make it out to be.  Maybe I am wrong.

If someone goes messing with Russ, you will see where he and KD stand…and vise-versa.  They have each others back, fully.

[surveParticipant]

ALTERCATION is a harsh word, thats the media’s way of spinning things and getting more eyes on a story.  trust me, I was a Print Journalism major, and they do this crap everyday just so we can read it.  makes it sound like they were in a fist fight.

give you one of many examples everyday, check this header…

 

Devin Hester: Signing Donovan McNabb would be “a waste of time”

Immediately you think that Hester has a problem with McNabb or McNabb is garbage (he is definitely a shell of himself) but then you read the actual context.  And it says basically that McNabb would be coming in to learn the offense TOO LATE.  Nothing personal or endictment of his skills.

source: 

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/12/05/devin-hester-signing-donovan-mcnabb-would-be-a-waste-of-time/

so in the immortal words of Flava Flav…."DONT BELIEVE THE HYPE"

[Author]

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