OKC Thunder: Rivalry between Russell Westbrook and Joel Embiid is great for the NBA
OKC Thunder superstar Russell Westbrook and Philadelphia 76ers superstar Joel Embiid offer entertainment and one of the best rivalries in the NBA.
Is there anything as fun as a rivalry? In the gameday preview, TI reminded of the two games the OKC Thunder played versus the 76ers last season which both served up in game and post game antics.
In the first match last year in Philly the teams went to triple overtime. Joel Embiid was masterful and let the Thunder players know it. But, in the end, it was Westbrook and the OKC Thunder who won the match and the Brodie got the last laugh waving goodbye to Jojo (who earlier in the game waved goodbye to Steven Adams when he fouled out) telling him to go home. The irony of this action of course is Joel already was home (in Philly).
Cut to the next game in Oklahoma City when the teams lined up and gave us yet another great back and forth contest with the Thunder prevailing to extend their win streak over the 76ers to 18.
After the match, Embiid took to Twitter to post a picture of his massive dunk over Westbrook. He coined the location: Crime Scene Investigation. I mean it just doesn’t get any better than this. Never mind Philly lost the game. Never mind he’s 7’2″ and 260 pounds – he still dunked on Westbrook. You have to love these heated exchanges because as a fan it makes contests between the squads that much more entertaining.
So @JoelEmbiid just posted a pic of his dunk over Russell Westbrook on IG.
— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) January 29, 2018
Check the location... pic.twitter.com/Tf3xZfEh3n
At first, when Joel Embiid used to take to Twitter to troll other players I worried it would come back to bite him. In hindsight, JoJo is arguably the most entertaining player in the NBA. He doesn’t tweet as much as he used to or troll his opponents as much, but occasionally we get little delightful tidbits from him.
Was Russ staring down Embiid as he dribbled out the clock? 😂 pic.twitter.com/XFO9WpB41Z
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 29, 2018
Cut to Saturday when Embiid was chasing down Westbrook to block his shot and fell into him. Was it dirty? No, I honestly think he was just trying to block the shot. But, Westbrook felt he gave a little extra and took umbrage with it needing to be restrained when he got back to his feet.
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But, here’s the thing. What happened right afterward Russ nailed both his free throws. That might seem like a throwaway comment but given Westbrook’s struggles from the line this season it’s not a throwaway.
Hey, Thunder Nation is already in the know, but for NBA fans outside OKC what you might not know about the Brodie is he lives for the ‘us versus them’ mentality. He feeds off hating his opponents. So, in this one instance (as entertaining as it is) Embiid might actually be helping Russ.
After the game, both Westbrook and Embiid were asked about the situation. Warning there is language in Russ’ answer who clearly isn’t taking the high road:
Russell Westbrook on the foul from Joel Embiid, and then asked if they are “cool.” (Warning: language): pic.twitter.com/7i0ahyEFTH
— Royce Young (@royceyoung) January 20, 2019
Embiid was a bit more tactful although he did get in his little bit of shade (it’s funny) which will only serve to heat up Russ for the next meeting:
It continues.
— Bleacher Report NBA (@BR_NBA) January 20, 2019
Joel Embiid says he doesn’t know why Westbrook was mad: “He’s always in his feelings”
(Via @BenMallis)pic.twitter.com/WxerT6Yn2w
In the Saturday match, there were a few occasions which added to the ‘us versus them’ battle. Ben Simmons and Terrance Ferguson had words, Wilson Chandler and Paul George had a few words. Plus we know Steven Adams hook maneuver and elbows on Embiid weren’t likely appreciated but the big men both give as good as they get.
Ultimately, this is good for the league. If you are like most NBA and OKC Thunder fans having a match where there is a history of angst between players and teams only serves to add excitement to each meeting. Somehow winning those games just satisfies our thirst on a deeper level.
Next. 16 trade options to push Thunder into title contention. dark
Mark your calendars for February 28 folks as its when Joel Embiid and his team travel to Oklahoma City. The Thunder will be looking for an unprecedented 20 wins in a row over the 76ers and the can bank on getting some JoJo – Brodie drama too!