I can see it both ways. I really think an athlete being friendly and personable is worth way more than an autograph. I kinda see it like Halloween; autographs should be for the children. I would rather say a quick hello and maybe a handshake. There is no need for me to prove that I met someone.

If everyone demands autographs, then it becomes a chore for the athlete. For example, my son and I bumped into Blake Griffin at a Thunder game last year. He was nice enough to take a picture with my son. I was only sitting a few rows behind him and I noticed he was constantly being barraged by fans. The poor guy was just trying to watch a basketball game. He was nice and friendly to everyone, but I’m sure deep down inside he was bothered.

I remember one time, as a teenager, asking for the autograph of a pretty famous person in his sport (who shall remain nameless), who sighed as he approached and saw us standing there hoping he might have a moment for us, shook his head a little, and in a slightly disgusted sort of way quite literally said this: “You know, of all the things I have to go through, I hate doing this the most.”

If I had been older or maybe had a little more presence of mind, I would have told him to forget it. If it was that much trouble, then screw it, and you. Mind you, I’m not talking about 50 screaming fans all pressing pen and paper in his face. Just two slightly intimidated kids, quietly standing there and looking at him hopefully. We really looked up to him, and then he went and said that.

He signed the autographs without smiling, saying thank you, you’re welcome, drop dead, or anything else, and left. I have no idea what happened to my copy and don’t care, but I’ve never forgotten that moment. And to this day I don’t really care for him because of it. Maybe he was just having a bad day, although I found out later it was typical of the way he treated many fans. But bad day or not, it left a bad impression.

On the other side of that, I once met baseball legend Bob Feller at a baseball game, again when I was pretty young, and he not only signed a baseball for me, he literally sat there and talked with me for several minutes. Just the absolute epitome of politeness. I’d read a little bit about him before meeting him, but I came away from that short visit as a life-long Bob Feller fan.

I realize it can get to wear on athletes who constantly have to deal with autograph hounds and requests to sign this or that, and pose for yet another stupid picture with some fan. Chances are they don’t remember many of those encounter because they all probably start to run together before very long. But I would think for the fans, and especially the fans who aren’t just after something to sell but genuinely want to meet the person, those brief encounters can form lasting impressions, right or wrong. I suspect Kevin Durant understands that, and may also remember what it used to be like when he was the one asking for autographs instead of signing them.

In Traber’s mind Westbrook probably did play bad last night. W-Brook only had 7 assists and 5 turns.

If Westbrook keeps playing well, I think he’ll crack…

I can’t check, but his twitter is “jimtraber”. Without a space.