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So another playoff game, another Russell Westbrook ordeal. He’s quickly became the most polarizing player on the roster, especially among more casual fans. People are talking about him and his behavior nonstop.

Seems like most of the conversations go the same way. New story, same debate, different day. And through it all, the Thunder keep winning and refusing to let anyone have control over a playoff series. Let’s debate Westbrook one final time before Game 3 … when he’ll probably show up and prove why he was on the All-Star team until he has another game that renews the debate again, anyway.

Commentary, Video Dallas Mavericks, Playoffs, Russell Westbrook

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It’s becoming more apparent every game. You can ride with Russell Westbrook anywhere.

He was last seen all over the court in the 48th minute he played of the Thunder’s marathon win in New Jersey. It was the shiniest of the stat sheet-filling performances he’s had this season. But Westbrook’s emergence in the upper stratosphere of NBA stardom through the first part of this season has shown more than just flashes of staying power. He’s played superbly without Kevin Durant, as he did last night, but also with him on plenty of occasions. Teams are carving out more time for him when they scout the Thunder. And it’s not working.

But it’s not just what Westbrook does on the court. It’s how he does it. He’s just a little bit mean. And it means a lot to his team.

Westbrook’s captivating, explosive athleticism gives his game an edge all by itself. A ritual following nearly any game for many of us is searching on YouTube until somebody uploads his latest vicious dunk. The Nets game was no exception. Neither was the game before that. Or the one before that. And to ignite the magical 8-0 run in Game 3 of the Lakers series last season. And so on. He’s the best in-game dunker this side of Blake Griffin, and the only reason why he’s not No. 1 doubles as a good argument for why he maybe should be: he’s half a foot shorter. Read more…

Commentary Russell Westbrook

Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE/Getty Images

Recently, I just finished watching the greatest television show in history, The Wire. So right now, I take and every opportunity I can get to talk about it. Someone mentions the Baltimore Ravens and five minutes later I’m knee deep talking about Prop Joe and the co-op. It’s getting kind of ridiculous, I’ll admit.

And after the Thunder beat the Celtics without Kevin Durant or Jeff Green, Bill Simmons had an interesting tweet. Basically, he was asking if we could have a potential Avon-Stringer situation with Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant. What? Two of my top current interests colliding? I have to write about that!

But it’s a question on the minds of Thunder fans and really, NBA fans everywhere right now, even if they don’t want to say it. Could Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant be too good for each other? Could they clash? I’d by lying if I said I wasn’t thinking about that as I watched Westbrook carry the Thunder to a number of wins as he dropped 36, 43 and 38 points while KD stood by. Truly, the comparison kind of sort of fits. Or potentially fits. Read more…

Commentary Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook

I really got a kick out of this last night. Kyle Lowry picks Russell Westbrook’s pocket, which is something you rarely see. Westbrook doesn’t get the ball taken from him very much. He just gives it away.

Anyway, Lowry steals it from Westbrook and you can see Russ is peeved that he let that happen. So in very Russell Westbrook-ish fashion, he takes it right back. And then of course finishes with a nice dunk. That play really sums up Westbrook’s on-court personality Oh you’re going to take it from me? WELL I’LL TAKE IT RIGHT BACK AND DUNK ON YOU.

Westbrook is one of the most fierce, tenacious competitors in the whole league. It just oozes out of him. It’s probably my favorite thing, that “Why Not?” play-all-out attitude. I said this to someone before that if you made me pick 12 players on the Thunder to clone to build a whole roster from, I’d take Russell Westbrook. No doubt in my mind. And that team would be dang good.

Video Russell Westbrook

Kevin Durant is the face of the team. He’s the star. He’s the recognizable guy.

But one guy on the Thunder has seen his star stock quietly rise over the past eight months or so. It started with a great playoff series against the Lakers in which NBA fans finally got to see Russell Westbrook’s skill, speed and athleticism. And over the summer, it grew more as the entire world got a peek as Westbrook’s ridiculous ability.

Now he’s appearing in commercials, getting his own shoes and today, Westbrook appeared on ESPN’s First Take and talked about his experience in Turkey, his favorite dunk (how could it not be the one over Lamar Odom?) and who the best dunker on the team is. Fun stuff.

Video Russell Westbrook

They keep making them and I keep posting them. Russell Westbrook with another strong appearance in a new NBA 2K11 spot, this one comparing the greatest team of all-time, the 1996-97 Chicago Bulls (you know, the group that won 72) against different teams. And then Genghis Khan for some reason.

Video Russell Westbrook

NBA 2K11 leaked its starting five ratings today and for the Thunder, our boys go like this: Russell Westbrook, 81; Thabo Sefolosha, 66; Kevin Durant, 91; Jeff Green, 77; Nenad Krstic, 59.

Take that in for a second. First off, even before we get to Durant, Krstic a 59? You know who else is rated a 59? JaVale McGee. Darko Milicic is just two behind at a 57. Amir Johnson is a 63 for crying out loud. I’d say Nenad got the short end here. Nenad was rated a 98 in chair throwing though.

But let’s look at where KD fits in. First, the players rated higher than him: LeBron James (97), Dwyane Wade (97), Kobe Bryant (97), Chris Paul (95), Carmelo Anthony (93) and Deron Williams (92). So according to a video game, Durant is the seventh best player in the league. I certainly don’t agree.

Where does Westbrook fit in? Compared to other point guards, Westbrook was behind Rajon Rondo, Chris Paul, Deron Williams, Tyreke Evans (depending on what you classify him), Derrick Rose, Jason Kidd, Chauncey Billups and Steve Nash. Westbrook was rated higher than Tony Parker, Andre Miller, Stephen Curry, Aaron Brooks and Darren Collison.

While Durant’s 91 isn’t necessarily extremely low, shouldn’t the reigning scoring champ and MVP runner-up maybe have been in the 94-95 range? I don’t disagree with LeBron being higher, but seventh best?

Maybe it’s because Durant is on 2K11′s rivals’ cover in NBA Elite. Maybe it’s just because KD isn’t quite getting the deserved respect yet. Or maybe, it’s just a video game and this actually doesn’t matter at all.

Other Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, Video Games

My buddy Andy and I often think it’s funny to picture how some commercials are thought up. Like the really dumb ones. For example, the Little Caeser’s commercials that are trying to unlock how their pizzas can be only $5.99. Who seriously thought having a secret agent meet with someone to find out the recipe only to have a leaf blower interrupt their conversation was a good idea? OK hang with me here people. We’ll have a guy meet with someone that needs to know the secret recipe. No reason why, he just wants to know. And then, right before he finds out, someone interrupts the conversation with a loud noise and he never gets to find out! Brilliant, right!?!?

But the thought process for NBA 2K11′s newest ad wasn’t a very complicated one. Pick a number of young NBA studs that grew up loving Michael Jordan and have them talk about their favorite moments. That’s brilliant. Especially Derrick Rose’s dig on Cleveland.

This could present a little hiccup in Thunder chemistry though. KD is the lead man for NBA Elite 11, and now Westbrook is doing promos for 2K11. I wonder if they’ll fight over what the better game is.

Video Russell Westbrook

AP Photo/Daniel Ochoa de Olza

Team USA was up 13 late in the third quarter Sunday when Turkey dared Russell Westbrook to shoot. The nearest defender was closer to the free throw stripe than to Westbrook, who was dribbling beyond the 3-point line. He lofted a three and it splashed through for a 16-point lead.

The camera zoomed in on Westbrook as he backpedaled to the defensive end, and he scowled as he said something to someone. I only saw it once, watching on a TV with no DVR thousands of miles away from the game in Istanbul, but I was pretty sure I could see what he said.

“You want me to f—— shoot it?”

Maybe he said something else, calling a defensive signal even. But that’s what it looked to me like he said as I watched it live. And the scowl on his face said it all in any case. It was a mixture of offense, disgust, pity and aggression — “You better try something else next time.”

The moment for me, along with Kevin Durant’s well-publicized dagger 3-pointer followed by him pounding the USA on his chest and screaming at courtside Turks, defined the edge the Thunder’s two best players undoubtedly sharpened in their gold medal run. Read more…

Commentary Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook

Is this getting old yet? Yeah, I thought not. Yesterday, Russ threw down this ridiculous reverse lob. And today, he brings you three dunks of the nasty variety.

The past two games, Team USA hasn’t required the services of KD very much and Westbrook has mainly played in mop-up duty. So there’s nothing all that incredible to take from those games. But the U.S. is 5-0 and headed to the knockout phase, set to play Angola.

Video Russell Westbrook

Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE/Getty Images

2. I want to see Russell Westbrook’s FIBA defense in the NBA

If you haven’t been watching the World Championships or the exhibitions that led up to it, you’ve really missed out on seeing one of the most crystal clear displays of what Sam Presti was thinking when he drafted Russell Westbrook to be a defensive stopper out on the perimeter for this franchise.

Westbrook has been everywhere defensively on the perimeter and even down on the blocks when he’s seen the opportunity to double a post player. His hands have been almost relentlessly active, his footwork has steered guards to where he wants them to be and, thanks to FIBA rules, Westbrook has used his sizeable strength advantage to amazing effect, bodying guards to the point that they are entirely redirected anytime they want to drive to the bucket.

This display leads me to one thought over and over again as I watch this unbelievable performance: Why haven’t I seen this on the Thunder?

Read more…

Commentary Russell Westbrook

Team USA rolled Croatia today 106-78 behind 14 points from Kevin Durant and 12 from Russell Westbrook, who also added four assists. I recapped the whole thing at CBS Sports, but there’s definitely nothing to be depressed about for the Americans. KD looked great, Westbrook was solid and the team was focused. And of course, Russell Westbrook showed off the turbo button a bit with this flash to the basket.

Video Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, Team USA

By now you’ve probably heard that Rajon Rondo was cut/removed his name due to family matters. (Heh, family matters.) And if you’re sharp and on the ball, by Rondo being cut, that means that both Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook are on Team USA’s final 12-man roster that will be competing in Turkey next week.

Layne Murdoch/NBAE/Getty

Westbrook made an extremely strong case for himself in Team USA’s last two scrimmages, showcasing his hustle, athleticism and knack for heady plays. The indication is, by the way Coach K used him against Spain is that Westbrook will be used as a defensive stopper against the crafty guards from both Spain and Greece.

Most thought the final spot would come down between Stephen Curry and Eric Gordon, with Westbrook possibly getting the axe because the U.S. didn’t likely want to point guards that weren’t great shooters. Rondo, who started every exhibition before getting a DNP against Spain, was thought to be a lock. But honestly, Westbrook just outperformed Rondo. Some saw indifference in Rondo while he was on the floor, while Westbrook was as active and hungry as he always is.

One thing that I think is great about Westbrook’s emergence on Team USA, is that Thunder fans are getting a good look at Russ’s ability next to his peers. When you watch Derrick Rose, Rondo, Chauncey Billups, Curry and Westbrook all rotating in and out, there’s not any dropoff when Russ runs the show. Plus, when you watch a guy like Rose defend and then see Westbrook check the same guy, you can kind of appreciate Westbrook’s defense a bit more as well.

As far as rotations and how much playing time Westbrook will see, I’m guessing not a ton. He’ll like be the third point guard behind Rose and Billups but could be the second option if Billups plays primarily off the ball. Heck, Westbrook has seen a good chunk of time at the 2, so he might be ahead of Curry and Gordon there as well.

In any event, two Thunder players are on the U.S. roster, which will make the World Championships that much more interesting for OKC fans.

Commentary, News Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, Team USA

Team USA announced its 15-man roster that will head to training camp in New York August 10-16 and among the 15 were Thunder players Kevin Durant, Jeff Green and Russell Westbrook.

Westbrook and Durant really were never in doubt for this first cut, but Green may have been a bubble guy. Coach K said of Green, “It’s one of the reasons he’s still one of the 15 is because of his versatility.” Team USA has been hit with a ton of misfortune on the inside with Amar’e Stoudemire having to leave because of insurance issues, Robin Lopez because of a bad back, David Lee because of a broken finger and even Brook Lopez is battling mono. So Green’s ability to flex between positions surely helped.

Oklahoma City has more players on the team than anyone else and Coach K was extremely complimentary of the group saying, “They are the kind of guys that work hard, want to win and just have great attitudes.”

Jerry Colangelo indicated that they may take more than 12 after the New York training camp and use some extra time to narrow down the final 12. He also said that as of right now, probably eight or nine guys are locks.

News Jeff Green, Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, Team USA

AP Photo

There’s two contrasting thoughts typically around NBA fan circles about what role Team USA can play on that fan’s team. These thoughts usually depend entirely on what happens to the players from that fan’s team while they are representing their country, positively or negatively.

Thought A is that the risk versus reward is too great and that only bad can come from it. These are the fans who claim that any actual basketball development or improvement while playing with the Team USA squad and coaching staff will be so negligible that the risk for injury and/or the non-rest that these players experience during the off-season puts them in an unfavorable position heading into the season. They’re either going to be too tired and a little worn down from the games and practices during a time that they are typically resting and recuperating from a long season, thereby making them more susceptible to picking up nagging injuries or to suffer from fatigue earlier in the 82 game haul than usual, or they will actually enter training camp with an injury/still trying to fully recover from one and that hampers their ability to enter the new season in top form.

Thought B is that risk for injuries or exhaustion is minimal for a Team USA player in the contrasting context of an 82 game season whereas the experience of playing with some of your country’s best players/coaches, especially for younger players, can act as a springboard to an entirely different level of mental development as well as physical/basketball skill growth. In other words, risk of injury is a part of basketball so unless a player is known to be somewhat brittle, what’s the difference between them playing a pickup game on asphalt or at an NBA team’s training facility versus playing with Team USA, especially since a few months of games and practices is nothing compared to the 9 months of night in, night out basketball grind that the players go through during an NBA season?

For me, both sides have their points and ultimately it comes down to just one simple thing in terms of the fans’ perspective (after all, for the players this is really about representing your country and wearing that jersey with pride and honor…but NBA fans usually aren’t nearly as worried about that part).

That one thing is this: Will there actually be development and improvement? Read more…

Commentary Jeff Green, Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook