At the end of tonight’s Oklahoma City’s 107-103 victory over Houston in NBA play in the Peak in on Reno Street, Rocket point guard Patrick Beverley walked over to the Thunder side of the court. As the Big Blue team was congratulating each other for winning the game, the spark plug Beverley broke in and grabbed Kevin Durant’s hand and the great scorer of the Thunder returned the gesture and followed by rubbing Patrick’s head as he does to his various teammates during various times before, during, and after games. Then, the man that put the hurt on Russell Westbrook a couple of years ago, and the most hated man in the Thunder world, sought out number “0” and again reached out for a congratulatory “good game” handshake. Westbrook acknowledged his most hated foe (it is no secret that Russell does not like Beverley) and took his hand as he gave Beverley a heartfelt hug, the ones that show true respect and professionalism toward the enemy. It was a nice thing to see (I am sure most people don’t watch the little things that happened after games between players) and that moment between the two rival point guards was telling.
Not again will I have any negative feelings toward Beverley, as it takes a true man to come over to make contact with the players you have just been handed you your ass. The respect I had toward the Houston guard was there before the “incident” with Westbrook, knowing that Beverley had to overcome a mountain of disadvantages just to make an NBA team.
I also observed the other Rocket, James Harden, run off the court after the loss, getting to the inner confines of the Peak as fast as he could. I don’t dislike Harden. He was a Thunder at one time, and is considered a “brother” by Westbrook and Durant. But I can tell from tonight, Beverley might be the real man in Houston, and Harden just a really outstanding basketball player. Time for Thunder fans to stop with the booing of Beverley? I think so. I won’t do it again.
Feature Photo: Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) grabs a rebound next to Houston Rockets guard K.J. McDaniels (32) in the second quarter of an NBA basketball game in Oklahoma City, Tuesday, March 22, 2016. Photo by Sue Ogrocki, AP
I have to agree! No more booing Beverly. It takes a man to extend his hand after this loss. Every Thunder fan needs to be aware of what happened tonight!