It was like watching A Star Is Born on TNT last night. Literally. Tyler was Lady Gaga and in the second game Russell Westbrook was a washed up Bradley Cooper.
I must admit I’m conflicted and sad for Russell and LeBron. It’s a Greek tragedy for Russell to be exposed like this in front of the basketball world and its an equal tragedy for LeBron to be pissing away one of his last seasons in this manner.
I’m sad for Russell. What else can I really say. Even Allen Iverson wasn’t exposed to this degree. I don’t know if this changes things with the Thunder fans who still boo Kevin, but at least one would think these Kevin haters would have to admit the Thunder weren’t winning anything even if Kevin had stayed after the 2016 Western Conference Finals.
And for Berry Tramel, whether he wants to admit it or not, it’s a validation of sorts for him. For him pushing the two Sam Presti employees… the two make believe journalists in Little Nick Gallo and Low Energy Royce Young to the side in those post game pressers…and being that one professional adult journalist in the room willing to ask the tough questions. Trying to find out why it was Russell wasn’t evolving as he should have been as a veteran point guard on a max contract.
And that is why Berry Tramel year in and year out is awarded the Oklahoma Sports Writer of the Year Award.
You can’t win championships playing stupid. And if you’re a stupid team…then it should be pointed out why your team plays dumber than a poorly coached YMCA U-10 youth team.
On the other hand…it was a glorious night for Tyler showing all of us hoops lovers the form he displayed in his rookie season when he was a big part of the Heat advancing to the NBA Finals.
The Heat after losing in the Finals to the Lakers did this…they didn’t trade away one of their best three players ala James Harden. Instead they fortified their best three players by bringing Kyle Lowery, PJ Tucker, and a slew of hungry blue collar role players on board to make them a very serious threat to get back to the NBA Finals after last season’s disappointment in the first round versus the Bucks.
You see…this is what serious GMs and serious owners do when they’re serious about pursuing an NBA championship.
Tyler Herro…you are on the cusp of becoming a star. Young man… don’t let it go to your head. Bear down and help Jimmy Butler win a ring if you can.
I feel for Russell though. He brings out that Holly Hunter side of me of which I wish I could control, but sometimes can’t.
Berry Tramel…you just got a helmet sticker. And btw…who’s to say it wasn’t Clay Bennett who called Berry Tramel to ask Russell those very tough questions because ownership was getting tired of watching that shit night in and night out. You have to ask yourself why did Sam Presti and Clay Bennett allow Berry Tramel to do that repeatedly with Westbrook? And the answer is their own paid for reporters weren’t tough enough to get it done. That’s why.
Merry Christmas!
I actually like this version a little better. Lady Gaga can be a bit much. This is a little more understated…which I like.