OKC mucks up game with Houston and it is not Westbrook’s fault…..

Coach Donavan it is your job to coach this team…….to the last second……..

I love Russell Westbrook the basketball player. I also think he is a great FACE of the franchise here in OKC.   He is a terrific player with the triple doubles and his leadership for the team.  But what happened in the last significant possession in the arena last night in the Thunder’s 102-99 lost was not good in any way and in fact infuriated me in the most basic way.  I do not show disdain for the team (OKC) while in attendance the at the Peak, but last night it was hard not to.  Trailing by one and plenty-of-time to set up a final bucket to win the game, the Thunder sent off course as they did everything they could do to lose the game. And I do not blame Russell Westbrook in his final three point shot that had little chance to go in.

What transpired with Russell Westbrook and his teammates on the court was not  five-on-five basketball.  We call that last possession  “hero” ball and has been a staple for the OKC Thunder for the years of Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook as mates on the court and now has transferred to just Russell in the participation.

Given the situation, the Thunder’s Coach Billy Donavan should have taken Westbrook out of the game for that final possession and let the Houston Rockets wonder who was going to try to win the game.  OKC might have had a better chance in winning this game than allowing Westbrook go commando and spin his web.  Or Coach should have told his superstar that he was not to shoot anything less than an open layup and make a pass to one of the other four Thunder on the court.  Steven Adams, Enes Kanter, where were you two on a pick and roll?  A pick and pop?   It was so sad to see basketball at the highest level played at the lowest level.  A fricken air ball Russell from three, after dribbling yourself into a bad place on the court…….Coach Donavan……..gee-whiz.  Play the game right.

Coach Donavan, it is your team to coach.  What transpired was not good in any way.  Westbrook looked bad, the team looked bad.  The result was embarrassing.   Get you team under control and coach them right.  General Manager Sam Presti and owner Clay Bennett should be pissed on what happened.  This cannot be the “Thunder Way”.  Coach!  Get your team together.

Feature Photo:  Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Billy Donovan reacts during a play against the Houston Rockets in the second half of an NBA basketball game in Oklahoma City, Friday, Dec. 9, 2016. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)