Russell Westbrook’s tantrum should worry the Oklahoma City Thunder

January 20, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) during the overtime period against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center. The Nuggets won 121-118 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Last night the Oklahoma City Thunder dismantled the Memphis Grizzlies at home, winning by 106-89. But it was Russell Westbrook’s behaviour during and after the game that stole the show.

After being called for a 5-second violation, Westbrook received some grief from Thabo Sefolosha, as the point guard wouldn’t pass the ball to his open teammate. Westbrook was clearly upset, and had an emotional outburst on the bench, flipping over a chair and storming out to the locker room.

Westbrook returned to the floor in the 4th quarter, but in his absence the Grizzlies went on a 20-10 run to cut into OKC’s lead. After the game he was interviewed by Craig Saiger:

In the interview he seems reluctant to answering Sager’s questions, while also acting very awkward. He says that he handled his emotions like a man, which is highly questionable. Storming out of the game in fury after flipping over a chair, instead of trying to figure things out, certainly doesn’t seem very manly or mature.

Sager clearly tried to set Westbrook on the right path, helping him to say the right things, but he simply ended the interview with a brief “if that’s what you say bruh.”

Things happen during a game and teammates will inevitably disagree at times, but when one of your star players decides to leave the game because he can’t accept that he made a mistake – you have a problem.

Westbrook, man up bruh.

@VytisLasaitis