{"id":3855,"date":"2016-12-10T02:38:59","date_gmt":"2016-12-10T08:38:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fredsportsextra.com\/?p=3855"},"modified":"2017-07-08T12:06:54","modified_gmt":"2017-07-08T17:06:54","slug":"okc-mucks-up-game-with-houston-and-it-is-not-westbrooks-fault","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fredsportsextra.com\/?p=3855","title":{"rendered":"OKC mucks up game with Houston and it is not Westbrook’s fault….."},"content":{"rendered":"

Coach Donavan it is your job to coach this team…….to the last second……..<\/strong><\/em><\/h4>\n

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Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) passes the ball mid air between Houston Rockets guard Eric Gordon (10) and center Nene Hilario (42) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Oklahoma City, Friday, Dec. 9, 2016. Houston won 102-99. (AP Photo\/Alonzo Adams)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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I love Russell Westbrook the basketball player. I also think he is a great\u00a0FACE of the franchise here in OKC.\u00a0 \u00a0He is a terrific player\u00a0with the triple doubles and his leadership for the team.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 I do not show disdain for\u00a0the team (OKC) while in attendance the\u00a0at the Peak, but last night\u00a0it was hard not to.\u00a0 Trailing by one and plenty-of-time to set up a final bucket to win the game, the Thunder sent off course as they\u00a0did 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.<\/p>\n

What transpired with Russell Westbrook and his teammates on the court was not\u00a0 five-on-five basketball.\u00a0 We call that last possession\u00a0 “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.<\/p>\n

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.\u00a0 OKC\u00a0might have had a better chance in\u00a0winning\u00a0this game\u00a0than allowing Westbrook go commando and spin his web.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 Steven Adams, Enes Kanter, where were you two on a pick and roll?\u00a0 A\u00a0pick and pop? \u00a0 It was so sad to see basketball at the highest level played at the lowest level.\u00a0 A fricken air ball Russell from three, after dribbling yourself into a bad place on the court…….Coach Donavan……..gee-whiz.\u00a0 Play the game right.<\/p>\n

Coach Donavan, it is your team to coach.\u00a0 What transpired was not good in any way.\u00a0 Westbrook looked bad, the team looked bad.\u00a0 The result was embarrassing. \u00a0 Get you team under control and coach them right.\u00a0 General Manager Sam Presti and owner Clay Bennett should be pissed on what happened.\u00a0 This cannot be the “Thunder Way”.\u00a0 Coach!\u00a0 Get your\u00a0team together.<\/p>\n

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Feature Photo:\u00a0 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)<\/p>\n

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Coach Donavan it is your job to coach this team…….to the last second……..    …<\/p>\n

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