What does an honest person write after witnessing this basketball game?
Do you write the truth? Or do you pretend OKC did some great things in winning a triple overtime thriller which never should have gone beyond regulation in Philadelphia on Friday night?
For the record, OKC defeated the Philadelphia 76’ers 119-117 in triple overtime on Friday night on the road. Russell Westbrook assisted Andre Roberson for the game winning back door layup with 9.6 seconds left in triple overtime. Patrick Patterson preserved the win by blocking JJ Redick’s three point attempt with 1.2 seconds left in the third overtime. Both good things. Both occurred when OKC should have long before been in the locker room getting ready to head to New York for tomorrow night’s game against the Knicks.
Here’s the truth. OKC didn’t survive the 76’ers. The truth be known, they survived the dysfunction of Russell Westbrook the basketball player.
There are many things I admire about Russell Westbrook. He’s an ultra competitive motherfucker. He’s a good husband. Appears to be a wonderful father. He’s a world class big brother to Ray Jr. He calls his mother every day. He’s completely respectful to his father. He was loyal to Oklahoma City. These are all things I admire about Bad Little Dude. But here’s the thing, he’s not winning a Northwest Division championship, let alone an NBA championship until he learns the basketball isn’t his best friend. His best friends should be his teammates and until Russell Westbrook learns this he’s not winning anything from a team aspect. Nada. Nothing.
For forty-three minutes on Friday night, the Thunder played beautiful team basketball. The ball moved. There was flow. The Thunder led by 11 points. Then it was there to be seen by anyone paying attention. The inner demons of Russell Westbrook took over and it became ugly.
In those first forty three minutes, OKC had 25 assists, in the final 20 minutes, which included three overtimes, the Thunder had three assists as Westbrook decided he needed to beat the Sixers by himself.
You want to know why Kevin Durant is in Golden State? This is why Kevin Durant now plays in Oakland. Because whether Durant on his own, or through his handlers, or by that late conversation with Jerry West, came to the correct conclusion that he would never win an NBA championship with Russell Westbrook.
And that’s the truth. It hurts me to write it. But’s it’s the truth.
Sucks doesn’t it?
OKC improves to 14-14 with the win and is currently in forth place in the Northwest Division and the No. 8 seed in the West.
The Thunder did win tonight, for sure. But in the end, they lost. I’ve written this before, and I’ll write it again here. Even Kobe knew when to trust Gasol, Derek Fisher, and Big Shot Bob Horry.
You wonder if by Westbrook making that last pass to Roberson it was a learning moment or an indicator of fatigue.
Pray for Billy Donovan. It’s not his fault. He makes $6 million. Russell Westbrook makes $28 million. Superstar driven league…duh.
Truth hurts.
So, in the end, a night of irony for me. My favorite team in the East, the Sixers, are 14-14 and at best a probable first round exit. My favorite team in the West, the Thunder, are 14-14, and a probable first round exit.
OKC in New York tomorrow night for Melo’s return to Madison Square Garden.