Russell Westbrook is a man on a furious mission. Westbrook reminds watchers of LeBron James last year, willing to run through brick walls to bring a title to Cleveland and fulfill the promise he made. When Kevin Durant ditched OKC this summer for the already stacked Golden State Warriors, he left one superstar and a very, very good team in Thunder jerseys. Westbrook’s mission is to show the world the Thunder is even better without Durant. If anybody can do it, it’s Russ.
(See video below: Westbrook’s blunt reaction to Durant’s implication that there are “selfish” players at OKC.)
Westbrook’s mission has begun with a fiery preseason. Though the Thunder is just 2-3 so far, they look to be gelling. Westbrook had 26 points and 10 assists (selfish, KD?) in just 30 minutes as the Thunder took apart the Timberwolves 112-94. Seven OKC players scored in double figures. Westbrook — in true Michael Jordan style — will have every one of Durant’s slights pinned on his mental locker room wall this season. With the loss of Durant, Las Vegas made the Thunder a 30-1 shot to win the title from just 8-1.
