Oh Russell Westbrook. Coming into game 4, the Oklahoma City Thunder point guard had received mixed reviews on his 3 prior performances. Westbrook had averaged 24 ppg but on shaky 41% shooting, leaving many to expect more from the all-star. On Tuesday night, Westbrook delivered with an electrifying 41 point explosion but capped it off with a play that may cost the Thunder the championship.
Not to say that this was exactly Westbrook’s doing, but his bonehead foul on Miami’s Shane Battier after a jump ball between Miami’s Udonis Haslem and OKC’s James Harden threw away any chance the Thunder had of tying the game. Had Westbrook not had such a great game leading the Thunder, he would be despised in Thunder nation.
Still, Westbrook cannot be entirely blamed on the loss, as some of the weight must fall on Kevin Durant who was once again thoroughly outplayed by Miami’s LeBron James.
The Thunder will look to finally take one back on Thursday in Miami, and hope to at the very least finish the series back in Oklahoma City. If they are to pull off a victory they will need all hands on deck and that includes Westbrook once again playing at a high level. Can the young Thunder team pull it off?
What do you think?