Seven Alarm Blaze:
In truth, the ‘Russell Westbrook Season’ began long before the 2016-17 campaign tipped off. Ironically Independence Day can be isolated as the specific date Westbrook began his new odyssey. On July 4, OKC’s former golden child departed to literally join a Golden squad. Immediately, pundits reacted like rabid gamblers driving the narrative of the break-up.
How fractured was the pair’s relationship that Westbrook wasn’t even afforded a phone call? How could the Thunder ever recover from the loss of this top tier talent? Could the Thunder make the postseason? And the most frequently debated question – – what type of revenge would a player of Westbrook’s ilk exact upon his opponents?
Throughout the season the broken relationship plotline was continually fueled as if attached to an intravenous cannula. Here’s a sampling of a few of those headlines:
Related: Westbrook is the most hated MVP candidate ever
Headline Fodder:
Unselfish or Cute?
When asked about his feelings toward his new location, Durant joyfully told reporters he was thrilled to be playing with such unselfish teammates. Whether this was meant as a dis or simply an honest response ( in fairness the Warriors rank first in the Association dishing 30.5 assists per game), it was not received well in OKC.
Predetermined Destination?
Contradictions flowed when initial massaged P.R. statements of a difficult post recruitment decision gave way to Durant’s admission of pulling for GSW to lose the championship (presumably to make his departure more palatable).
Fashion Shade:
Westbrook stoked the fire further electing to utilize fashion as his weapon and defense of choice. First sporting a photographer bib at Oracle and later in an All-Star interview for the ages.
Feud Carries On To Court:
The former teammates barked at each other at Oracle and Chesapeake, but in post-game interviews denied recall of the incidents.
Warriors Shade:
Warriors teammates Zaza Pachulia and Draymond Green got in shots and taunts for Golden State. While Curry announced Westbrook was not the MVP.
Thunder Counter:
Consequently, Thunder teammates reciprocated. Enes Kanter argued with Durant in Oakland, Jerami Grant dunked on K.D., and Andre Roberson exchanged a head butt.
Even seldom-used Semaj Christon got into the act. Although the latter was directed at Steph Curry over alignment in a jump ball circle. Take note of how Draymond Green immediately charges at Westbrook in (who jumped in to defend Christon).
An All-Star Assist:
A simple pass during the All-Star game was celebrated like a Game 7 winning shot, only to be forgotten by the time the post-game interviews took place.
Cupcake:
Shouts of cupcake echoed in the Peake, while Golden State’s brass registered disapproval over the former Thunders “lack of star treatment”.
Suffice to say there was ample non-basketball related material to keep this soap opera plot alive heading into April.
Moving past the break-up scenario let’s dive into the on-court Westbrook storylines of which there are ample.