Day 136

Fresh Start_136: The boy who cried wolf

With his technical foul last night for tossing the ball at the ref who wasn’t paying attention, it brought a question to my head. Is Russell Westbrook as immature as the refs and his “unintended actions” lead him on to be? Without a doubt Westbrook should strongly be considered for the MVP this year, averaging a triple double every time he steps on the floor, but can his team afford his antics.

For his entire career Westbrook has always been an emotional player. At the start that is what the Thunder thrived off of, and what they used him as (a spark plug player). With Westbrook in the spotlight more than he ever has been in his career: from his disputes with Kevin Durant, to his play on the floor, and obviously he emotions getting the best of him on the floor. The only other player that I can compare his antics and temper tantrums to is Draymond Green. Green has similar flabbergasting moments on the floor, and it has cost him and his team multiple times throughout his career.

As successful as a season as Westbrook is having this year, this has to be a notable footnote in his career if he does indeed win the MVP. And, if he does, what does that make the NBA look like, giving the NBA to a temper shorted player like Westbrook. This is not an attack on Westbrook’s play on the court, he is the most electric player in the NBA—just look at the numbers. What I am questioning here, is why is he acting the way he is? At this point after the technical foul last night this has to raise some eyebrows around the OKC. Just last week Westbrook was thrown out of game for similar actions in that game. The Thunder just locked up Westbrook with a 3-year $85 Million contract this offseason, now maybe it’s a mistake. With the actions of Westbrook, some of it might be a sense of entitlement on Russel’s part. He believes that he is one the best players in the NBA and should be treated like it. Westbrook doesn’t get the calls that Curry and Lebron get, and his frustrations might be ostracized and played out by the refs. Do I think the technical foul last night has an overreaction to the situation, of course, but in the eyes of the officials it wasn’t.

With Westbrook’s history the past few years, all it has led to is a “boy cried wolf” situation. Every time Westbrook does something, or is close to an odd situation on the floor, the call will most likely go against him. As much as Westbrook will avoid it, he has a reputation for being the bad kid in class, and whether it far or not is the as fair as asking if Lebron getting calls is right. It is all part of why we watch, talk, and argue about basketball so much. So much of the game is split second calls, and what if’s? The NBA might be the league might have the most second guessing in the game in the moment. Why do you think the refs take some much time in the replays? But, unfortunately for Russell Westbrook, after review, he has become the scapegoat of the NBA.

Sources:(espn.com, spotrac.com)

Don’t forget to like, comment, subscribe, and share on your way out!