It’s painful to watch. I was wrong on my recap. It wasn’t a no look behind the back pass. He kind of glanced and turned his body a little bit then threw it away. It try to be accurate on here.
I wonder if Russell has a close friend who can speak to him honestly about his basketball game. I like Russell because there’s a lot of good about him which should override the bad.
I’m sure he would never read a little blog like this one, but I wish I could talk to him.
I’d start with the reading bus to break the ice. How I’d love to be a volunteer at some point and help Oklahomans become better readers. I’d suggest he include adult books as well as children books. Then we’d talk about his son and his parents. I’d tell him he was my favorite defensive guard in the non-John Wooden Era at UCLA. I’d tell him how much I appreciate what he did for Oklahoma City.
We’ve both read Michelle Obama’s book. We could talk about the book. I’d also give him a book I cherish as a gift. Like Phil Jackson…I love giving books away to people I know.
What book would I give Russell Westbrook if I were his friend?
I’d give him White Fang by Jack London because if I remember correctly Russell has a Siberian Huskie or at least did.
Reading White Fang changed my life. Maybe Russell would love it as well.
Maybe I’d suggest Second Wind by Bill Russell as a second book or Kereem’s most recent book. Or maybe the book by Gary Pomerantz…The Last Pass.
There is a lot of good about Russell Westbrook.
Then I would gently shift gears and suggest he allow James Harden to be the primary ball handler in the last four minutes if for no other reason James shoots better from the field and from the line than Russell does.
I’m not Jim Traber. I like Russell. I want him to realize his potential as a player.
In 2012… when the Thunder won the West…it was James Harden with the ball closing those games as OKC beat Dallas, the Lakers, and San Antonio as they made it to the NBA Finals.
Russell, let James have the ball down the stretch and you can be a Bad Little Dude in other facets of the game.
Why not?
Your friend,
Mike Jackson