Russell Westbrook gave a forbidding glare and sullen response when asked if he’d root for the Spurs in their final game against the Pelicans. After contorting his face into various “f-off” looks, Westbrook said to the reporter, “I ain’t gotta root for nobody. I ain’t no Spurs fan. What kind of question is that?” He looked pleased with himself after the answer, which reporters generously chuckled at.
But the thing is, Westbrook did need the Spurs to win so the Thunder could make the playoffs. Why not hope so? Had the Spurs beaten the Pelicans (of whom Westbrook is presumably equally not a fan), the Thunder would be in the 8th spot in the West and Westbrook would be matched up against fellow MVP candidate Steph Curry in round one of the playoffs. Instead, he’s home. Were the situation reversed, it’s easy to imagine Spurs vet Tim Duncan saying “of course I hope the Thunder win; I want to make the playoffs.” Westbrook had a lot of things go his way this season (he won the scoring title, after all). He should have thrown the Spurs some love–probably would have worked!
